Estrogen levels naturally decrease over a woman’s lifetime. Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy is used to treat the symptoms of perimenopause, menopause, and premature aging, while also reducing the risk for serious conditions like heart disease, osteoporosis, and infection.
What are Bio-identical Hormones?
Bioidentical hormones are made from natural soy or yam components that are synthesized to be identical to the hormones made in your body. Because bioidentical hormones have the same molecular structure as the hormones produced by our bodies, the side-effects often associated with synthetic hormones are drastically reduced, if not eliminated completely.
Is BHRT right for you?
Symptoms of hormone imbalance for premenopausal women may include anxiety, fatigue, infertility, migraines, miscarriage, or PMS. For peri-menopausal women, symptoms may also include decreased libido, hair loss, heart palpitations, hot flashes, insomnia, short term memory loss, and weight gain. Women who have entered menopause, or have ceased having periods for a year, may experience any of the above symptoms, and also be at increased risk for heart disease, osteopenia/osteoporosis, collagen changes, and increased infection.
Women entering perimenopause and early menopause will benefit most from BHRT, as the treatment will be more effective at reducing cardiovascular risks during this phase of life. It is not recommended that women after the age of 65-70 start BHRT, due to the increased risk of stroke.
Treatment Program
We utilize laboratory testing as well as detailed health history to assess what hormones to recommend. Tailoring hormones to a woman’s needs is an art, and it can take up to a few months to find exactly the right dosage/combination.
Bioidentical hormone therapy is not a one-size fits all treatment. Your treatment needs may be determined through salivary hormone testing, fasting blood work, urine testing, and a nutrition assessment. Bioidentical hormones are often used in conjunction with botanical or homeopathic treatments, exercise recommendations, nutritional therapies, and vitamin injections to support your overall health and vitality.
