Benefits of Bio Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy

Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, otherwise known as BHRT, is a new form of hormone replacement therapy created to help ease the symptoms of menopause. These hormones may be created from either non synthetic or synthetic sources and are believed to have the same type of chemical structure as the body's natural hormones.

Warnings against Bioidentical Hormones

• Before you begin to study the perceived benefits of bioidentical hormone replacement therapy it is important to note that the FDA has not approved their use. Because the hormones are usually derived from either plant (ex. yams, soy) or animal (ex. horses, pings) sources, the FDA considers these drugs to be "natural." As such, bioidentical hormones can not be patented and therefore receive very little funding for research.

  The inability to patent natural bioidentical hormones has led some pharmaceutical companies to create synthetic hormone replacement therapies to replace them. In Europe, however, there has been a bit more study and it is believed that bioidentical hormones are safer than synthetic hormones.

The Benefits of Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy

• It is believed that the benefits of bioidentical hormone replacement therapy far outweigh the risks. Bioidentical hormones have been used to treat pre-menopausal, menopausal and peri-menopausal women. It is believed that women utilizing bioidentical hormone replacement therapy instead of undergoing traditional hormone replacement therapy will experience less side-effects from the drugs themselves. The side effects of BHRT usually include headaches, dizziness, nausea, mild fluid retention and breast tenderness.

  Some of the general benefits of bioidentical hormone replacement therapy are as follows:

A Personalized Treatment Approach

• Many women love bioidentical hormone replacement therapy because it strays away from the concept of one pill being the right treatment for all women. If you choose BHRT you will work with your doctor who will take a saliva sample and then use it to determine exactly which mix of bioidentical hormones are right for your body. The pharmacist will then mix your personalized blend which will be taken in the form of a cream, pill, injection or suppository.

Weight Management

• Many women who reach menopause find that their metabolism slows down, thus making it more difficult to lose weight. Some find that traditional hormone replacement therapy even causes additional weight gain. If you are trying to lose weight you will find that the hormones in BHRT will increase your metabolism and help you to lose weight at a more reasonable pace.

Vaginal Dryness and Libido

• With menopause comes vaginal dryness which, for many women, is an incredibly uncomfortable condition which contributes to further damaging their already low libidos. Many women find that bioidentical hormone replacement therapy greatly reduces or eradicates the symptom of vaginal dryness. With BHRT you may find that along with the disappearance of vaginal dryness you are also experiencing an increased libido and sex drive.

Improved Mental Functions

• Sadly, many women going through menopause also begin to experience depression. In some cases the symptoms are mild but in others they are very severe. BHRT is believed to guard against the wild hormonal fluctuations that cause depression and anxiety. Menopause may also cause memory lapses and incidents in which it seems impossible to think clearly. Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy is believed to reduce those symptoms as well.

Other Benefits of Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy

• There are a number of other benefits to using bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. They include a reduction in the instance of hot flashes, reduction in night sweats, fewer instances of fibrocystic breasts and improved blood flow. Some researchers also believe that BHRT can reduce the instance of osteoporosis, even encouraging new bone growth.

  Make sure you discuss bioidentical hormone replacement therapy with your physician. Not all doctors believe in BHRT and you may need to get a second opinion but make sure you listen to what your doctors have to say. BHRT may not be for everyone.