The health benefits of bioidentical hormone therapy (BHRT)

What Is Bioidentical Hormone Therapy?

Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy or BHRT is a new form of hormonal therapy that provides the body with the same dosage and form of hormones naturally produced inside the body. In this method, by stimulating hormone production inside the body, the symptoms of hormone imbalance and menopause can be improved, and the overall quality of life will be increased.

The body utilizes hormones to control its primary vital functions, such as cell proliferation and growth. Hormones are a form of chemical messengers that transfer the internal message between the cells and make the cell's intercommunication possible. On a deeper level, hormones control the essential functions in the body, such as mood, libido, immune responses, appetite, etc. Any dysfunction or imbalance can severely affect the body's functionality and well-being. Amino acids and minerals have great influence on hormone production in the body.

Novel treatments such as bioidentical hormone therapy can help moderate these adverse effects on the body and increase hormone plasma levels. Bioidentical hormones have a similar structure to the hormones naturally produced in the body; thus, they can activate the hormone receptors in the same way natural bodily hormones do. Using bioidentical hormones can improve your sex drive and digestive and cognitive function and increase your vital energy (read more here about bioidentical hormone therapy or BHRT).

How Is BHRT Administrated to the Patients?

Bioidentical hormones are derived from natural sources such as Mexican yam and chemically modified to possess the same structure as the natural hormones in the body. They are prescribed to the patients in different forms and modes of administration, such as pellet, cream, or ointment.

Once applied for a certain period, they can improve the plasma level of the hormones in the body close to the normal level, thus improving the bodily functions that depend heavily on the hormones. As mentioned, in the close to the normal hormonal level, the body can function with the highest efficiency, and highest overall functionality.

BHRT also has a positive effect on the immune system, preventing or treating ailments in the body, which are directly or indirectly caused by the lack of hormones. Bioidentical hormones can also improve mental sharpness and alleviate cognitive dysfunction due to aging.

All being said, is bioidentical hormone therapy safe?

Any type of treatment modality or intervention is not completely safe on its own essence may come with some side reactions and drawbacks. Bioidentical hormone therapy also belongs to the same category; however, the drawbacks and side reactions are minimal and are in the form of skin rashes and transient insomnia.

If you are suffering from heart-related diseases such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol, you need to consult your primary physician before undergoing any hormone therapy treatment. Before starting your hormone therapy session in a reputable bioidentical hormone therapy (BHRT) center, the hormone doctors should ask you for a complete blood work to identify any underlying health issues before going into the process.

It is worth noting that bioidentical hormones are derived from natural sources but undergo chemical modifications to mimic the structure of natural bodily hormones, making them more effective and causing fewer unwanted reactions in the body.

How to start bioidentical hormone therapy?

If you are looking for any type of hormonal therapy treatment, there are a few points that you need to consider. As mentioned, if you are suffering from a chronic disease such as cancer or heart disease, you need your doctor's approval before initiation of the treatment to ensure that your body can handle the therapy.

A licensed and experienced hormone specialist should prescribe and dose the hormones. Although they might help improve symptoms such as fatigue and depression, their overdosage or incorrect application may cause severe interactions in your body.

In a licensed and trustworthy hormone therapy center, the specialist start the process with a thorough medical examination, checking your and your family's medical history, and saliva tests to measure your body's existing levels of hormones. The hormone specialists will contact you weekly to check the progress of the treatment and any unwanted side reactions in the body.

The advantages of bioidentical hormone therapy

Bioidentical hormones have the closest chemical structure and similarity to the bodily natural hormones such as estrogen and progesterone, thus making them have much fewer side reactions compared to the hormones derived from animals or totally synthesized in the chemistry lab.

Taking bioidentical hormones will have the following benefits for your body:

- Higher libido and sex drive result in more pleasurable intimacy

- Better mental clarity and function

- Can alleviate the symptoms of depression and anxiety

- Can increase the overall sense of well-being

- Improve the muscle tone and help burn excessive fat

- It can improve the skin and hair structure and improve skin tone and vibra

- Reduces bloating

- Will decrease the morning fatigue and improve the overall energy level in the body

- Can decrease insomnia and reduce the fatigue after taking the sleep at night

- Can reduce the night sweats and hot flashes in premenopausal and menopause stages

Forms of bioidentical hormones administration

Bioidentical hormones exist in different shapes and forms and can be applied topically or orally. The primary administration forms include creams, gels, ointment, pellets, and oral tablets.

Pellets are mainly implemented under the skin in size comparable to a rice grain, which delivers a sustained hormone dosage to the body. This type of administration resolves the constant need for hormone intake or application and increases the patients' adherence to the treatment.

Suppose you are interested in taking bioidentical hormones to alleviate your menopausal or premenopausal hormone imbalance symptoms. In that case, you may need to find a trustworthy and experienced hormone doctor for further assistance.

If performed under the supervision of an experience hormone therapist, bioidentical hormone therapy will have outstanding positive results on your overall body performance and remove the unwanted side effects of hormone imbalance, which are mainly raised after or during menopause.