Hormonal imbalance. Eventually, it happens to every woman, and at different phases of life. Hormonal imbalance is definitely tied to the aging process; as women age, hormone production declines. Do hormones need to be replaced, and if so, what is the best way?
Bioidentical Hormone Replacement
Hormone replacement therapy involves the use of hormones to remedy symptoms associated with declining hormone production or hormone imbalance. Traditional replacement therapy involves synthetic hormones, but bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) uses hormones that are chemically and molecularly identical to the hormones naturally produced by the body.
BHRT is used to replace four specific types of hormones: estrogen, progesterone, testosterone and the adrenal hormones. For several years leading up to menopause, a woman’s body experiences hormonal shifts known as peri-menopause. During this time, women begin to produce fewer hormones, particularly estrogen. As a result, women experience symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats, fatigue, vaginal dryness and bone loss.
BHRT is considered more natural than traditional synthetic hormones manufactured in a lab. Bioidentical hormones are derived from plant and animal products and are natural rather than synthetic.
Your doctor will likely do a baseline saliva or blood test to determine your current hormone levels, then assess your unique hormonal needs. BHRT is customized to the patient.
Who Is A BHRT Candidate?
In general, women over age 35 are BHRT candidates. If you are feeling tired and run down or are experiencing weight gain for the first time in your life, your hormones are likely the culprit.
During puberty, hormone levels increase and peak when a woman is 20 to early 30s. Around the mid-30s to early 40s, hormones begin to decline. There may be several successive declines until the hormones reach menopausal levels. A drop in hormones is natural and therefore unavoidable. Whether you like it or not, it is going to happen!
BHRT can make this journey a smoother transition. It can help slow down the decline in hormones and can also help smooth out the adaptation to the reduced hormones.
Here are some signs and symptoms to look for to determine whether you might need BHRT:
- Irregular periods
- Gradually declining menstrual cycles
- Thinning hair
- Vaginal dryness
- Lower sex drive
- Abdominal weight gain
- Less energy, fatigue
- Drier than usual skin
- Muscle weakness
- Mood changes
- Irritability or anxiety
- Hot flashes or night sweats
- Trouble sleeping
- Trouble concentrating or brain fog
What many women don’t know is that hormone changes can begin as early as the mid-thirties as part of peri-menopause. Furthermore, other lifestyle factors like poor diet, nutritional deficiencies, sedentary lifestyle and stress can worsen symptoms. It is very important to address lifestyle issues like these before or at the same time as addressing BHRT.
Many women wonder whether the symptoms they are experiencing are due to declining hormones or other factors. Is there a way to know? The best way is to look at how your health has progressed as you’ve aged. What has remained constant? Have you always exercised? Slept well? But now you are feeling different? If you are noticing differences without having changed your health routine, there is a very good chance that the symptoms you are experiencing are indeed due to hormonal decline.
Are There Any Cautions?
Studies have yielded mixed results; some women have had great success, while others are fearful of potential side effects. The FDA’s statements advise using caution regarding BHRT because many claims mislead women.
Be careful, just as you would in any medical situation. BHRT can help but it is not the ideal approach for every woman. Talk to your doctor. And don’t forget – there rae many lifestyle changes you can make that will definitely help, such as starting an exercise program or changing your diet. There are also herbal supplements like evening primrose and black cohosh that can help with the symptoms, but these too are not without their side effects.
Ask Your Doctor If BHRT Is Right For You
Ask Your Doctor If BHRT Is Right For YouBHRT treatment can take many forms: capsules or pills, creams or gels and injections. All treatments are designed to increase hormone levels back up to the levels you had in your 20s and 30s. There are many products on the market, so talk to your doctor about your symptoms to determine whether this treatment is right for you.
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