How to Know If Your Bio Identical Hormones Are Balanced

Bioidentical hormones are prescription or natural hormone supplements which are identical to the hormones produced by the body. These hormones are used to increase and balance your natural hormones. This type of treatment is common for menopausal women and also for women with hormone imbalances or fertility problems. Balancing bioidentical hormones is crucial, since hormones that are not balanced can cause unwanted side effects. To check if your hormones are balanced, you may ask a doctor for testing or to monitor your side effects.

Instructions

• 1

  Talk to your doctor about blood tests for your hormone levels. For women, hormone testing should be timed to specific points of your menstrual cycle. Estrogen levels are tested prior to ovulation, and progesterone levels are tested after ovulation.

• 2

  Use an at-home saliva test to determine your hormone levels. These kits contain a sterile swab, which is then mailed to a lab for processing. The results of an at-home test can then be verified by a doctor using a blood test.

• 3

  Try an at-home urine test. These tests are similar to saliva tests in that the specimen is collected at home and then mailed to the lab for processing. The results of a urine test should be followed up with bloodwork by a doctor, who can advise you on which bioidentical hormones to take and how to take them.

• 4

  Monitor your symptoms. Signs of a progesterone excess include hot flashes, sleepiness, breast tenderness and depression; an excess of estrogen causes irritability, weight gain and menstrual spotting. An estrogen deficiency may cause dry skin, vaginal dryness and insomnia. These symptoms can be balanced using bioidentical hormone therapy by adding and removing hormones from your medication regimen.