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Hormone imbalance affects our lives deeply as we get tired faster, notice unreasonable mood swings, our body is acting weird, gain weight, and lose our sexual temper. When all of these complications become hard to bear, we seek medication to maintain our usual lifestyle.
Men and women experience testosterone and estrogen loss due to aging, stress, or taking special medications. Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) could be a lifesaver for those who have reached andropause or menopause. If you’re thinking of using BHRT and wonder if it’s safe, use our research to learn about the side effects of BHRT.
What does BHRT mean?
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy uses plant-derived hormones whose chemical structure corresponds with the hormones produced in the human body. BHRT became popular when scientists faced the drawbacks of Premarin (a marketing name for conjugated estrogens). Premarin contains several sodium salts which complicate pure estrogen administration and affects health. Plant hormones have appeared to be a source of pure estrogen.
Chemists derive bioidentical hormones from plants in the laboratory, but these hormones work identically to hormones produced in our organisms. Phytoestrogen and diosgenin hormones, found in plants, can be chemically transformed into the next hormones:
- estrogen,
- testosterone,
- progesterone,
- DHEA,
- cortisol.
Bioidentical hormones implementation can be different. After the hormones were produced in the lab, pharmaceutical companies and compounding pharmacies obtain them and use them to create their products. The companies are obliged to use more strict standards when applying bioidentical hormones than compound pharmacies, thus hormone dosage in medications could differ. Before starting BHRT, consult professionals and discuss the source of bioidentical hormones they prescribe. If you’re looking for bioidentical hormone replacement therapy adjacent to your individual needs, fill out the form to get in touch with our physicians and receive a consultation.
BHRT side effects
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy helps to combat hormone imbalance and its symptoms. Taking BHRT under therapist supervision stabilizes mood, increases energy, strengthens the bones, prevents hair loss, and improves sexual life. Surely, as with any medication and therapy, BHRT has several side effects and contraindications. Most of them are slight and associated with the first month of the therapy when a patient’s organism is going through a period of addiction. The list of side effects of bioidentical hormone therapy includes:
- mood swings,
- slight headache,
- abdominal distension,
- increased tiredness,
- breast tenderness,
- insomnia,
- weight change,
- increased acne and others.
When the bioidentical hormone replacement therapy starts and patients receive the very first dose of medication, they can experience the above-mentioned side effects of BHRT, though they are mild and go away as the body gets used to the new hormone level. If you experience unwanted discomfort after taking bioidentical hormones, talk to your therapist to adjust treatment to your personal needs.
Bioidentical hormone therapy: professional advice
Deciding whether to take any medication could be a daunting task, but sometimes it’s a necessary measure to maintain health. Talking to a professional will be the best solution to analyze your situation and consider treatment options. If you don’t know whether BHRT is right for you, we asked our experts about the indications and contraindications for BHRT.
When to consider bioidentical hormone therapy?
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy is suitable for men and women who have reached mid-life and experience unwanted symptoms of andropause, perimenopause, and menopause. As opposed to synthetic hormones that use a one size fits all approach, bioidentical hormone replacement therapy can be adjusted to patients’ special needs. If you’ve tried traditional therapy and didn’t get the result or you have a special medical condition, don’t hesitate to consult a BHRT specialist. You can always ask your questions to our therapists by filling out the form on our website.
How to prepare for BHRT?
There are no special preparations before taking bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. When you decide to take bioidentical hormones, the specialist will analyze your medical history and prescribe blood or saliva tests to examine hormone drops. Then you’ll receive personalized hormone doses and instructions on how to take them.
When to avoid taking bioidentical hormones?
For some medical conditions, BHRT could be a disease enhancer. People who have cardiovascular or liver diseases, cancer or its remission, or allergies to some bioidentical hormones should avoid taking any hormones.
Wrapping up
Health issues associated with aging decrease the quality of many people’s lives. When one’s medications don’t seem to work, we seek alternatives. Bioidentical hormone therapy is a satisfying replacement for traditional HT. Although side effects of BHRT could cause discomfort at the early stages of therapy, it’s convenient and effective for most people. So, if you want to go smoothly through age changes, you should consider bioidentical hormone replacement therapy.
Dr. Mill has over thirty years of experience working as a thyroid specialist and hormone expert in a US clinic. He is passionate about developing his knowledge and confirming his practice.