As a woman, we frequently feel out of balance and uncomfortable due to first having our periods and then peri-menopause and finally menopause. The hormones in our bodies constantly shift, causing us to gain weight and feel cranky or tired.
But what if there was a method to measure and rebalance these unstable or dwindling hormones, especially in midlife when we start to experience the effects of declining estrogen and other essential hormones?
That’s where bioidentical hormones come in. Learning about bioidenticals can help you better manage the adverse effects of perimenopause and beyond.
Bioidentical therapy is a topic that your provider may not discuss with you. Therefore, learning about options such as bioidentical hormone replacement therapy(BHRT) to combat the unpleasantness associated with our bodies as we get older will help you to feel younger and more vibrant than you may have imagined.
What hormones get out of balance?
Hormones that can get out of wack during midlife and cause us distress are estrogen, progesterone, vitamin D, insulin, DHEA, and, believe it or not, testosterone.
Testosterone is important not only for men but also for women. This notable male hormone is produced in the ovaries and is necessary to feel at our best. Woman-sized dosing of bioidentical testosterone will not cause our voices to lower or grow chest hairs, contrary to popular belief.
What causes hormone imbalance?
Hormone imbalance in women can be due to various causes that can accumulate to produce symptoms of distress.
Typical causes of hormone imbalance in women are:
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Environmental factors such as toxins and pollution
- Poor diet, which includes high-sugar foods and artificial ingredients
- Aging process
- Female surgeries such as the removal of ovaries
- Stress
Why does it matter if our hormones are not balanced?
Our bodies’ health and overall well-being need to have a harmonious and balanced mix of essential hormones.
Insufficient hormone levels can cause us to experience the following side effects:
- Chronic fatigue
- Low libido
- Vaginal dryness
- Moodiness and depression
- Sleep disturbance
- Irregular periods
- Muscle weakness
- Weight gain
Additionally, chronic low levels of estrogen, Vitamin D, and DHEA can put our bones at risk for osteoporosis.
What are bioidentical hormones?
Bioidentical hormones are artificial hormones manufactured to mimic some of the hormones made by the human body. Estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone are the most common type of bioidentical hormones.
BHRT is commonly used to treat annoying symptoms of menopause or other hormone imbalances.
What do bioidenticals look like?
Your healthcare provider will discuss the many options for BHRT. Some of the forms of these hormones are premanufactured. Other must be prepared by a pharmacist in a special mixture termed compounding.
Bioidentical hormones can come in the form of:
- Pills
- Patches
- Creams and gels
- Shots
- Implanted pellets
The form in which your BHRT arrives may depend on your preference, provider recommendations, and the pharmacy or state requirements for preparation.
How can bioidentical therapy help women?
BHRT can help some women get their Mojo back again. Having the desire and energy for sex alone is enough for many women to go in search of bioidentical hormones. Additionally, you will feel more confident as you manage your weight more effectively and your skin takes on a renewed glow.
Your family will thank you for opting for help with your depressed and irritable mood and love seeing you back to your old self again.
Your bones will also be happier now that you support them in their old age with the essential hormones needed to keep them healthy.
Who prescribes bioidenticals?
Not all healthcare providers will prescribe bioidenticals, even some women’s health experts (which is a shame). You may need to ask around and do a little research if your health professional is not willing or knowledgeable enough to prescribe BHRT.
Some ideas to find a prescriber for BHRT are:
- Check online for BHRT. Numerous reputable and long-standing companies and providers treat and prescribe through telemed appointments.
- Naturopathic, complementary and homeopathic providers are more likely to prescribe BHRT than conventional MDs.
- Many nurse practitioner-owned practices specialize in female issues, including BHRT, and provide services in this area (both on-site and via telemedicine.
How long does it take for bioidenticals to start working?
You may feel some of the benefits of BHRT, such as increased energy and improved sleep, within a week or two. However, it may take several months to realize the full benefit of therapy.
Your provider will order an array of blood tests prior to prescribing any therapy to see where you are deficient. Once on BHRT for several months, you must go back for blood work to measure your hormone levels and response to your treatment program. Your treatment may need to be tweaked once or twice based on your blood work and response to gain the full benefit of therapy.
A word of caution
Although some bioidentical hormones are FDA-approved, not all fall into this category. Additionally, since there are some possible side effects of BHRT, it is recommended that you consult with your provider about this option.
If you choose BHRT, keep your provider in the loop on any side effects to achieve the optimal benefit of this effective therapy.
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