Bioidentical hormone therapy is growing in popularity as a way to treat hormone deficiencies and improve quality of life. This informative guide from Revive HRT covers the basics of bioidentical hormones, signs and symptoms of hormone deficiencies, benefits of replacement therapy, and key things to know when considering treatment.
Bioidentical hormones are substances that are chemically identical to the hormones naturally produced in the human body. Some of the most commonly used bioidentical hormones include:
Key Points About Bioidentical Hormones:
Unlike synthetic hormones used in traditional HRT, bioidentical hormones are structurally the same as what the body produces. This allows for more natural physiological effects.
Aging, stress, poor diet, lack of sleep, and other lifestyle factors can cause declining hormone levels. Deficient estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and thyroid hormones can cause unpleasant signs and symptoms such as:
Estrogen deficiency
Progesterone deficiency
Testosterone deficiency
Thyroid deficiency
Bioidentical hormones offer a long list of potential benefits:
For women, balancing hormone levels with estrogen, progesterone, and DHEA provides relief from hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, and other menopause symptoms. It also prevents conditions like osteoporosis and heart disease.
In men, normalizing testosterone levels with bioidentical therapy relieves troubling symptoms like low libido, ED, and loss of muscle mass. It can also improve mood, energy levels, and mental sharpness.
Those experiencing difficult symptoms due to hormone imbalance can benefit from bioidentical hormone therapy. Some factors physicians evaluate include:
Bioidentical hormones can provide a safer, more natural option for individuals not finding relief through lifestyle changes alone.
Starting bioidentical hormone therapy begins with choosing an experienced hormone specialist like Revive HRT. The physician will:
Treatment is individualized based on each patient's unique hormonal needs and physiology. For example, one patient may benefit from testosterone and DHEA, while another might only need estrogen and progesterone.
There are also various delivery methods to choose from:
Lifestyle modifications like optimizing nutrition, exercise, stress relief, and sleep hygiene support bioidentical hormone therapy.
Recommended Routine Lab Tests
| Hormone | Tests |
|---|---|
| Estrogen | Estradiol, Estrone, Estriol |
| Progesterone | Progesterone |
| Testosterone | Total and Free Testosterone |
| Thyroid | TSH, free T3, free T4 |
Follow-up tests occur in 4-8 week intervals until optimal hormone levels and symptom relief are achieved.
Despite their safety and efficacy for many people, some misunderstandings about bioidentical hormones persist.
Myth 1 - Bioidenticals aren't regulated by the FDA
While the custom combinations and dosing used in bioidentical therapy are not approved by the FDA, the bioidentical hormones themselves meet FDA guidelines.
Myth 2 - Bioidentical hormones are completely risk-free
Like any medical therapy, there are some risks involved with bioidentical hormones if not properly dosed and monitored by an experienced practitioner. However, they pose fewer health risks compared to traditional synthetic HRT.
Myth 3 - Bioidentical hormone therapy is one standard approach
Treatment plans are incredibly customized to each unique patient's physiology and lab work. No two plans are alike.
Myth 4 - Compounded bioidenticals are not safe
When prescribed and monitored appropriately, compounded bioidentical hormones made at specialty pharmacies meet quality and safety standards.
Myth 5 - Bioidentical hormones have no research to support claims
While more research is emerging, there are well over 800 studies demonstrating safety and efficacy of bioidentical estrogen and progesterone.
Despite their excellent safety profile compared to synthetic hormones, bioidentical therapy does carry some risks like:
Estrogen - Breast tenderness, fluid retention - Increased cell proliferation of estrogen-positive cancers
Progesterone - Dizziness, drowsiness, headache - Upset stomach - Changes in menstrual bleeding
Testosterone - Acne, oily skin - Stimulation of prostate cancer growth
Experienced practitioners account for patient risk factors like cancers before prescribing. They also continually monitor lab work and symptoms and make dosage adjustments as needed.
Ultra-low doses at the start combined with slow upward titrations help minimize risks. Lifestyle improvements also help optimize results.
Balancing testosterone, thyroid, DHEA, and other hormones provides a multitude of benefits for men:
The multi-mechanistic effects of testosterone make it highly effective at combating age-related decline.
Emerging research shows balancing hormones plays a pivotal role in overall aging and longevity.
Declining hormones speed up many degenerative processes. Optimizing them not only alleviates symptoms, but slows aging.
Benefits on the aging process:
While genetics and lifestyle factors also affect lifespan, maintaining youthful hormone levels into older ages could be the key to healthy aging.
With so many providers offering anti-aging services, choosing one with expertise matters. Seek a practitioner who:
Revive HRT's founder, Dr. Sarah Johnson, possesses over 25 years of experience in age management medicine with a master's certification in MET. She continually enhances her knowledge, implements innovative therapies, and delivers tailored treatment plans focused on the best interest of each patient.
Revive HRT specializes in relief for andropause, menopause, thyroid disorders, and more using bioidentical hormone therapy. We craft individualized plans based on a patient's unique physiology, labs, and symptoms.
Bioidentical hormone therapy can be a safe and effective way to alleviate the symptoms of hormone deficiencies and improve overall quality of life. By working with experienced hormone specialists like those at Revive HRT, individuals can receive personalized treatment plans tailored to their specific needs and monitored closely for optimal results. If you are experiencing symptoms of hormone imbalance, consider exploring bioidentical hormone therapy as a potential solution.
