How Does BHRT Work?

Your hormones intercommunicate to promote your everyday bodily functioning, including hunger, mood, metabolism, and sexual desire. When hormone levels in the body fluctuate, it can seriously impact your well-being and health. This is when most people begin using hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to give their bodies the required hormones. Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) is earning more reputation as a natural remedy for men and women with a hormone imbalance.

This article will provide information on what bioidentical hormones are, the conditions they’re used for, the time it takes for them to give results and who would be a suitable candidate for BHRT.

What Are Bioidentical Hormones?

Hormones regulate various functions of the body and are vital to appropriate body processing. When these hormones drop to lower levels or fluctuate in the body, basic processes, like metabolism, cognitive performance, maturation, and digestion, are influenced. Hormone therapy is a method to restore or stabilize hormonal levels in the body.

Traditional hormone therapy and BHRT differ in the way that BHRT uses natural elements as a base to make hormones that are analogous to the ones present naturally in the body. Traditional hormones are made up of entirely artificial materials.

Bioidentical hormones replacement therapy are derived from the cacti, wild yams, and soybeans and engineered in a lab to replicate human hormones such as progesterone, testosterone, cortisol, etc. These plant-based hormones can treat both males and females who produce less than normal levels of hormones or who have a hormone imbalance.

Who Is a Suitable Candidate for Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy?

However, BHRT is a fantastic option for numerous people, but not every individual can take bioidentical hormones. Just like other hormone replacement therapies, BHRT involves some risks, too, including:

• Higher chance of blood clots
• Stroke
• Breast cancer

People predisposed to these conditions might not be appropriate candidates for BHRT.

Discuss with your primary healthcare practitioner before starting therapy. They can perform thorough testing to determine your current level of hormones and rule out any other conditions involved in causing some of your symptoms. Diagnostics will work differently for everyone, but ensuring you receive the right care is crucial.

How Much Time Does It Take for BHRT to Show its Effect?

Hormone replacement therapy can be highly beneficial to many individuals, but it requires time for your body to take in the hormones and produce the effects. Once tests are performed and you begin BHRT, you may witness a difference in three to four weeks. You’ll start to feel the maximum effects of BHRT in about two months.

If you haven’t observed many transformations in your symptoms, talk to your doctor regarding your current dosage. It could indicate that your dose is off or another administration method fits your lifestyle.

People who are forgetful would better adapt to pellet therapy rather than a topical treatment as the dose is given once beneath the skin, where it will slowly release over time. You must also visit your doctor every few months to check if any changes are required to find the right balance.

As your body adjusts to hormone therapy, you might become able to reduce your dose as time passes. Ideally, you would like to be on the lowest dosage possible while treating your condition, and with time, you may not need higher amounts of hormones to get the same effect. Therapy will vary for every individual, so consult your physician before introducing any changes to your regimen.

How safe are Bioidentical Hormones?

The risks of administering BHRT are almost the same as standard HRT, and there’s no proof whether bioidentical hormone replacement therapy is more efficacious than traditional hormones. Some bioidentical hormones have been tested by the FDA in order to obtain their safety profiles, and pharmaceutical companies or pharmacies that produce or provide bioidentical hormones are restricted to observe strict FDA regulations. BHRT may be the most appropriate choice for treatment based on your lab results, condition, and symptoms, to give your body an accurate combination of hormones.

However, some bioidentical hormones have undergone strict FDA testing, but there are still some serious side effects to be mindful of before initiating the therapy, including:

• Weight gain
• Tiredness
• Menstrual spotting
• Breast tenderness
• GIT issues
• Cramps
• Headaches
• Acne

These side effects do not occur in every individual on BHRT, but being aware that they exist can aid you in preparing for them ahead of time in case they do occur. The most expected bioidentical hormone side effects mainly include weight gain, bloating, and breast tenderness. Consult your doctor about your symptoms as they appear in order to manage them by altering your dose if required.

Overall, bioidentical hormones have a safety profile similar to traditional hormones. However, speaking with your physician before beginning hormone therapy is essential. They can advise you on all the hazards and decide if BHRT is a good treatment option. Some risks linked with hormone therapy involve a high chance of blood clots, cancer, and stroke. If you are predisposed to these conditions, have a preexisting illness, or have a family history of strokes or cancer, your doctor may recommend another treatment method over BHRT.

To check for breast and endometrial cancer, females on HRT should get regular physical examinations, including PAP smears. Both men and women must visit their doctors regularly for health check-ups and communicate with their physicians about their current hormone treatment. An open and honest conversation with your provider about your signs and whether you notice any changes from BHRT will aid in preventing some risks bioidentical hormones can propose.

Harbor Compounding Pharmacy Provides Compounded Bioidentical Hormones to Suit your Needs Best!

Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy can enhance your quality of life, help you manage age-related symptoms, and make you appear and feel youthful again. BHRT targets hormonal imbalance hence reducing your risk of developing age-related diseases, including cancer, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes.

Harbor Compounding Pharmacy can help you regain your hormonal balance so that you can get back to the joys of everything life offers.

Contact us today to learn more about your treatment options.