The various hormones in our bodies coordinate a variety of functions as they communicate between different cells. In fact, hormones play a pivotal role in things like growth, digestion, libido, immune function, and even our mood.
It’s no surprise that when hormones are out of whack, your health and well-being can be significantly affected.
The good news is, bio-identical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) can significantly help ease these symptoms. But what exactly is BHRT? And how does it work “naturally” as a hormone balance treatment? What are the potential benefits and risks of trying it?
Keep reading to decide whether or not bio-identical hormone replacement therapy is right for you.
How Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Therapy Works
Both men and women can experience the benefits of BHRT. It is often used to help those suffering from symptoms associated with menopause, cancer treatments, or conditions like fibromyalgia, insulin resistance, osteoporosis, and thyroid or adrenal disorders.
Bio-identical hormones are manmade from plant estrogens, but are chemically identical to those produced in the body. The most common hormones used in BHRT are testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone. They can be given through injections, gels or creams, pills, and patches.
Benefits of Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Therapy
BHRT is often used in older men and women because it’s common for hormone levels to drop as you age. It is proven to help with menopause symptoms like low libido, weight gain, mood changes, night sweats, and hot flashes.
Some evidence also supports that BHRT can help reduce your risk for cataracts, tooth loss, and diabetes. It is also said to reduce wrinkles by improving skin hydration, elasticity, and thickness.
BHRT can also help cancer patients who have undergone treatment that impacts their estrogen levels and, as a result, suffer from insomnia, low libido, migraines, and incontinence.
Risks Of Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Therapy
The FDA has approved some but not all bioidentical hormones. However, it’s suggested that BHRT is safer than traditional hormone replacement therapy. That’s because BHRT hormones are structurally identical to those produced by the body. Although this claim hasn’t been proven by research on a large scale.
The risks and side effects of BHRT are different for each person. BHRT comes with risks like breast cancer, stroke, blood clots, heart disease, and gallbladder disease. Possible side effects of BHRT include increased facial hair in women, acne, weight gain, bloating, mood swings, and fatigue. It’s important to discuss bioidentical hormone replacement therapy with your healthcare professional before starting treatment.
Hormone Specialist in Logan, Utah
If you’re suffering from any of the symptoms associated with low hormone levels, Spring Creek Medical Center’s hormone balance treatment can help. Enjoy the benfits that can come with bioidentical hormone therapy replacement and improve your day to day life.
Request an appointment with our hormone balance specialist in Logan, UT today!