What Is Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy

Why People Use Bio

As people age, their bodies experience a decline in the levels of various hormones. These hormones are estrogen, testosterone, and progesterone. The drop in the level of these hormones can cause certain symptoms.

Some of the common effects of reduced hormones that are common among woman who are in their post menopause phase are the following:

• Floggy thinking
• Loss of muscle mass

Hormone therapy is the treatment for these conditions as it replaces the hormones. After using hormone therapy, hormone levels rise, and symptoms improve as well.

Recommendations from national societies and medical experts state that people should consider the benefits and risks of both bioidentical and conventional hormones. Your physician can share with you the available options and guide you on what to use depending on what you prefer.

Claim : Compounded Bht Is Safer Than Fda

Proponents of CBHT claim that compounded products containing plant-derived hormones that are bioidentical to those found in the human ovary offer better safety, efficacy, and tolerability than noncompounded, FDA-approved HT.23 Unfortunately, these claims have led to confusion among patients, who often look to their physicians for direction. Therefore, physicians who care for women seeking relief from menopausal symptoms need to be familiar with the claims made about custom CBHT products and the evidence in the medical literature on their effectiveness or the lack thereof.

Objective evidence and scientific studies to substantiate these claims are lacking, and the use of custom CBHT vs FDA-approved HT remains a topic of ongoing debate in the lay press, in alternative medicine literature, and in the popular media.15 The claim that the safety profile of bioidentical compounds is better than that of FDA-approved HT15 belies the complexities of the topic. Both CBHT and FDA-approved HT are available in various dosages, combinations, preparations, and routes of delivery that may have differing effects on risk to an individual patient.26

Hormone Replacement Pellets: Cons

Here are two cons that accompany hormone replacement pellets therapy:

Please make sure that you consult your general doctor if you have any concerns about receiving BHRT pellets and always inform your BHRT doctor of any pre-existing medical conditions that you have that could affect the effectiveness of your bodys reception to the treatment.

You May Like: Topical Melatonin For Hair Loss

What Are The Benefits

When most people think of hormone imbalance, they might think of erectile dysfunction or menopause. While these are common hormonal changes, hormone imbalance is more than this. Not only are there more symptoms than you might think, but it can affect people of all ages. In fact, most people begin to experience age-related hormone changes in their 30s and 40s. Men and women both experience hormone imbalance, though they may have different symptoms. Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy can help. These treatments work to control symptoms and help you feel more energized.

Importance Of The Right Medical Guidance

As we mentioned earlier, there are some risks to taking hormones, so its best to seek out medical guidance when considering hormone replacement therapy of any kind. A BHRT professional can test your hormone levels, administer the proper hormone replacement dosage, monitor your blood levels, and give you ongoing support.

You May Like: Essential Oil For Balancing Hormones

Claim : Compounding Provides Improved Delivery And Tolerability Of Ht

Compounded medications require a written prescription from a licensed physician. Prescriptions filled in a compounding pharmacy are prepared, mixed, and assembled according to the specifications of the prescriber. Compounding plays an important role in providing drugs to meet the individualized needs of patients that cannot be met by a commercially available FDA-approved preparation. It may provide a different strength, dose, or delivery system, or it may allow a medication that is otherwise poorly tolerated to be essentially reformulated and delivered in an alternative form .28,29 Compounded hormone preparations are not required to undergo the rigorous safety and efficacy studies required of FDA-approved HT and can demonstrate wide variation in active and inactive ingredients.5

The oversight of accredited compounding pharmacies falls to state pharmacy boards, which are to direct the method of preparation and enforce standards for compounding as dictated by the US Pharmacopeia. Thus, most compounded products do not have scientifically rigorous clinical testing for either safety or efficacy.5,30 A limited FDA survey in 2001 analyzed 29 product samples from 12 compounding pharmacies. None of the products failed identity testing however, 10 of the 29 failed 1 or more quality test, and 9 of the 10 failing products also failed potency or assay testing. For FDA-approved therapies, the usual comparison failure rate is less than 2%.28

What Are The Risks Of Bioidentical Hormones

It has been shown in research studies that there are risks to taking hormones. It can increase the risk of blood clots, stroke, and gallbladder disease. Your risk of heart disease and breast cancer may also increase if you are older or use hormonal therapy for an extended period. Many healthcare providers who use bioidentical hormones claim they are safer than traditional hormone therapy treatments. But there have been no large research studies of bioidentical hormones to show evidence of this.

Recommended Reading: Weird Symptoms Of Low Estrogen

Are Bioidentical Hormones Safe

The bioidentical hormones that are approved by the FDA have been tested for safety. They have passed the FDA’s strict standards and are safe for people to use. Like all hormone treatments, there are risks involved. You should weigh the pros and cons of even the FDA-approved bioidentical hormones with your healthcare provider.

Who Can Benefit From Bhrt

North American Menopause Society reports that about 1.4 million women now use bioidentical hormone replacement therapy to get relief from a range of symptoms. BHRT can help patients experiencing many of the challenges of menopause, including:

• Lowered sex drive or pain during sex
• Low energy levels
• Memory loss and brain fog

You May Like: Does Testosterone Help Lose Weight

Estrogen Metabolism And Estrogen Receptors

A basic understanding of sex hormone metabolism is useful when discussing and prescribing HT. The endogenous estrogens found in humans include 17-estradiol, estriol, estrone, and their conjugates.17 The human ovary produces 17-estradiol and estrone, whereas estriol is formed through 16-hydroxylation of estrone and estradiol.1 Before menopause, the predominant estrogen in circulation is 17-estradiol, which is mainly secreted by the ovaries. Estrone is found in highest concentration after menopause and is converted in adipose tissue from estradiol and adrenal androstenedione.1,18 Estriol is short acting and is the least potent endogenous estrogen. It is found in very low concentrations in the serum of nonpregnant women but is produced in high quantity by the placenta and, unlike estrone, is not converted to estradiol.17

Bioidentical Hormones Vs Compounded Bioidentical Hormones

To put it simply, bioidentical hormones are replicas of the hormones naturally produced by the body. Our hormones are chemicals composed of our endocrine glands. These glands produce hormones needed in specific body parts for efficient functionality. And these hormones control functions in metabolism, sexual function, growth, and reproduction. The lack of hormones causes disturbances in our bodies on a day-to-day basis. And Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy aids in balancing hormones or treatment for insufficient hormone levels.

Bioidentical hormones are manufactured hormones available that are said to be closest to the real thing. This claim is supported by the fact that bioidentical hormones are chemically identical, which makes your body absorb them easily. These hormones are made in a laboratory and are readily available in various forms.

Compounded bioidentical hormones, on the other hand, are more customized and unique in addressing a patients needs. In this process, the provider offers a mixed or compounded bioidentical hormone, a blend of hormones made for each individual.

How does Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy affect your health?

Overall, when your body receives sufficient hormones while eliminating these effects, it will function better and healthier, giving you an excellent lifestyle.

Is Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy for me?

• Heart or cardiovascular disease

What are the uses of BHRT?

• Painful intercourse
• Vaginal dryness

Recommended Reading: Signs Of Hormonal Imbalance In Men

Why Use Hormone Pellets And Creams

When hormones are absorbed rather than swallowed, they go directly to the tissues and are not altered by the liver. This is called the first pass effect. Bypassing the gastrointestinal system also avoids many possible side effects. We use pellets as a convenient and measurable way to provide your hormone replacement.

Progesterone Metabolism Progestins And Progesterone Receptors

The term progestogen refers to both progesterone and synthetic compounds that have progestogenic activity similar to that of progesterone. The human ovaries and adrenal glands are responsible for progesterone production in the nonpregnant female.1 Oral progestogens are used in HT to prevent the development of endometrial hyperplasia or neoplasia as a result of estrogen administration.20 All progestogens cause a change from proliferative to secretory histology of the endometrium .21 Progesterone is poorly absorbed and is rapidly metabolized, whereas progestins have high oral bioavailability. The development of the process of micronization allowed for improved absorption of oral progesterone. Micronized progesterone in peanut oil was approved by the FDA in December 1998 before then, micronized oral progesterone was available only in custom compounded products.22

Different types of synthetic progestins may have differing affinities for, and effects on, the progesterone receptor, and they may also activate nonprogesterone receptor steroid receptors in different tissues.23

Evidence is not yet sufficient to fully support the claim that progesterone is safer than synthetic progestins, but 1 observational study reported a lower risk of breast cancer in patients receiving progesterone than in patients receiving synthetic progestins.24 Further study is needed. The only FDA-approved oral progesterone is micronized in peanut oil.

You May Like: How Long Does It Take For Testosterone Gel To Absorb

What Does Bhrt Treat

Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy doctors can treat a range of health issues related to hormones. BHRT is mostly used for treating the signs and symptoms of menopause, peri-menopause, peri-andropause, and andropause.

Count on bioidentical hormone replacement therapy to help with a lack of energy, decreased sense of wellbeing and depression, reduced libido, trouble sleeping, dry hair and skin, and changes to your body such as reduced muscle mass. BHRT can also help to protect against certain cancers, including colon cancer.

Summary Of Key Terminologies

cBHRT: Compounded Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy: Precise duplicates of human hormones which are produced by specialist pharmacies and do not follow the same MHRA regulatory pathway as conventional rBHRT

rBHRT: Regulated Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy: Precise duplicates of human hormones developed in a conventional way by the pharmaceutical industry and authorised by the regulators such as the MHRA in the UK

Recommended Reading: How Can I Increase Testosterone

Compounded Bioidentical Hormones Are Sold Outside Pharmacy Board Guidelines

Compounded BHTs are sold outside Pharmacy Board Guidelines, which state that medications can be compounded only for research purposes or if a commercial product is not available or not suitable.

As pharmaceutical-grade MHTs are available and can deliver body-identical hormones, this means compounded BHTs are not required and their preparation and sale is outside the guidelines.

Many Conventional Mhts Contain Hormones Identical To Those Produced In The Body

When using MHT, you can be assured the safety and effectiveness of the products has been widely tested and you can avoid the uncertainty and potential dangers of compounded BHTs. In most cases, MHT is also cheaper. If you wish to use products containing pharmaceutical-grade body-identical hormones, the following approved and regulated products are available in Australia and New Zealand:

• oestradiol as tablets, transdermal patches or gel and as a vaginal treatment
• progesterone as capsules in Australia and NZ .

Also Check: Symptoms Of Low Estrogen Men

What Does Therapy Involve

Once your testing is complete, our office will create a custom BHRT plan to restore your wellness and comfort. Treatment can be administered through a series of special pellets, creams, and patches. Some patients receive a combination of options if we believe that is the appropriate solution. HEALOR Primary Care will monitor your progress closely over time and schedule follow-up appointments as necessary. We may continue to perform routine tests to determine if the treatment is working as it should.

Why Might You Need Bioidentical Hormone Therapy

The hormones within your body control most of your basic bodily functions, and work as an internal communication system between your bodys cells. Everything from your daily mood, energy, digestion, appetite, immune system and libido is controlled by hormones, which is why when these hormones are out-of-sync or unbalanced, it can have a huge impact on your physical and mental health and well-being

Recommended Reading: Estrogen Cream For Face Hair

Is Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy Approved By The Fda

This therapy is a not a new approach to hormone replacement it has been used since the 1930s. Bioidentical hormones are legal to prescribe and use in the US, although the FDA has not given its specific approval. The lack of FDA approval is because there are no official placebo-controlled studies to prove whether bioidentical hormones are safer than standard hormone replacement therapy.

Bioidentical Hormones Versus Synthetic Hormones

Bioidentical hormones have the exact chemical and molecular structure as the human bodys hormones while other types of lab-made hormones do not. As these other synthetic hormones are made differently than the hormones in the body, the body reacts to them.

For example, Premarin is a replacement estrogen that is made with the help of urine from pregnant horses. It binds to human estrogen receptors very tightly and makes them more reactive.

As with all medications that act as estrogen replacement therapies, this reaction may increase a persons risk of cancer if the medication is taken for a long time.

• reduced bloating
• better thinking and memory

Although people often refer to the symptoms women experience as being those of menopause, they are, in fact, symptoms of perimenopause.

Menopause refers to the time when a woman stops having periods every month. Perimenopause is the time leading up to menopause when the ovaries start to produce less estrogen.

Recommended Reading: Cortisol Levels In The Morning

Who Benefits From Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy

Wondering if this approach to managing symptoms associated with aging really works and if its necessary or even safe?

Hormone production increases during puberty and reaches a peak in healthy adults during their 20s and early 30s. Whether we like it or not, hormone levels then start to decline beginning around our mid-30s to early 40s and continue to remain at lower levels for the remainder of our lives. This drop in hormones is natural and unavoidable in many ways, but we can still help control how rapidly or smoothly this change happens and how we adapt to its effects.

BHRT might help some adults transition through these changes more easily, but this doesnt mean that hormone treatments are always necessary or the best and only solution. Before we go further into the pros and cons of BHRT, lets discuss who uses these treatments most often. What are some signs that your hormones are shifting and, therefore, that you might be a candidate for BHRT? These include:

Part of the problem is that symptoms that are often attributed to aging or menopause, such as weight gain and fatigue, can actually begin in women before menopause takes place because theyre caused by other lifestyle factors. For example, its not common for women even in their 20s or mid-30s to already report having trouble sleeping, digestive issues or a lack of energy.

Treating The Whole Person

You are not your hormones. Youre a person who has hormones and when theyre out of balance, your whole being suffers. With BHRT, we treat you comprehensively. When you come in for treatment, well evaluate your hormones on many different levels, including performing a blood test. Then, well review your symptoms and discuss your lifestyle and your goals to create a customized treatment plan just for you.

Well choose the best hormone delivery system for your needs and then begin your treatment. We will also monitor your levels so that your hormones stay within an optimal range for your needs and your lifestyle. Keeping a close eye on your levels will ensure that you feel better, live free of the symptoms associated with hormone imbalances, and feel more vibrant no matter your age.

You May Like: How Can I Lower My Cortisol Levels To Lose Weight

Bioidentical Hormone Replacement: What You Need To Know

Hormonal changes are normal, particularly as we age. If youve experienced imbalanced hormones, you know it can take a toll on your quality of life. Traditional hormone replacement therapy has been around for years, with the first clinical trials in the 1990s. However, in recent years, a more natural solution emerged. Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy is a natural solution for hormonal imbalance. Keep reading to learn more about BHRT.

Compounded Bioidentical Hormones Vs Standard Bhrt

Standard BHRT is often confused with compounded bioidentical hormone replacement therapy . The following are the primary distinctions between standard BHRT and cBHRT:

• Standard BHRT is commercially available, prepackaged, standardized doses of bioidentical hormones approved by the Food and Drug Administration .
• Compounded BHRT involves custom compounded recipes mixed in a pharmacy. Formulas usually include a mixture of standard BHRT and nonhormonal ingredients cBHRT is not FDA approved.

Recommended Reading: Hi Tech Arimistane Estrogen Blocker