Are you struggling with fatigue, reduced sex drive, weight gain around your waistline, mood swings, or lowered immunity? Did you know even the slightest imbalance in your hormones can contribute to these symptoms?
47% of American women ages 30–60 have experienced the symptoms of a hormonal imbalance, yet 72% say they didn’t know it until later in life.
When a woman enters menopause, her hormones shift to enable the transition away from fertility. This contributes to many physical and emotional changes. Hormones are chemical messengers that support vital functions throughout the body. During menopause, estrogen, progesterone, and even testosterone may drop, or their levels may become erratic. These changes can start years before menopause during the time of perimenopause. Symptoms and physical changes include:
Hot flashes
Mood changes
Sleep disturbances
Lowered libido
Loss of muscular and bone strength
Fatigue
Lack of focus
Weight gain
Lowered immunity
These erratic hormonal shifts and symptoms are severely irritating! Many times, women are misdiagnosed with depression or anxiety or are told their symptoms are just a part of aging.
But we know there is more to it than that, right? Absolutely! In fact, hormone replacement therapy can make a massive difference, by turning menopause into a positive, life-affirming transformation rather than an unwanted change to be endured. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is designed to help make the transition into menopause much easier.
There are different kinds of HRT therapies.
With traditional HRT, synthetic hormones, known as conjugated equine estrogens are used. They have been effectively effective in treating menopausal symptoms. However, the problem is they aren’t the same as the hormones our bodies make.
Bioidentical hormones, on the other hand, are derived from a molecule called diosgenin found in either soy or yam. These molecules are derived from plants and are structurally similar to a steroid hormone which is converted to a more specified hormone molecule that is an exact match to human endogenous hormones.
Because the molecular structure and function of bioidentical hormones are the very same as our endogenous hormones, they convey the same action and effect. They are metabolized into the same metabolites, with the same binding affinity, and are expected to restore normal physiology.
Data suggested that bioidentical hormones do not have the same risk profile, especially regarding cardiovascular, clotting, and breast cancer risk factors. Non-bioidentical hormones interfere with normal physiological processes and can lead to adverse events.
Hormones that might be supplemented with BHRT include estrogens (estrone, estradiol, estriol), progesterone, testosterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). Compounding pharmacies customize specific formulations tailored to the needs of the individual.
Benefits of bioidentical hormone replacement therapy include:
Better moods and emotional balance
Relief from hot flashes
Improved concentration and memory
Reduced risk of osteoporosis and increased bone strength
Lowered risk of some diseases such as endometrial and breast cancer and Alzheimer’s disease
Less vaginal dryness
Improves the production of collagen and elastin, which helps to firm and tone the skin, lessen wrinkles and sagging, and improve hair production.
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy can be delivered in a variety of forms, which include pills, topical lotions, and pellets that are surgically inserted. The BHRT should start to positively impact your system in about a week to ten days. You should feel more energetic, positive, and ready to go.
Both hormone replacement therapies come in different forms, including pills, creams, gels, and patches, and are made up of different doses and combinations of hormones.
Are menopausal symptoms wreaking havoc in your life? Are you ready for relief from sleep disturbances and hot flashes?