Hormone exert control over many important functions in your body, including your mood, energy level, sleep, and your metabolism. When your hormone levels drop, especially during menopause or due to other health conditions, many women experience uncomfortable symptoms. This usually causes women to seek help, and in recent years, bioidentical hormone therapy has become a more popular treatment option.
Today, we are going to talk about bioidentical hormones and why you might wish to consider them if you are experiencing unpleasant symptoms of menopause. We will explain what they are, how they work, and give you the pros and cons of hormone replacement therapy with bioidentical hormones.
What Is Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT)?
Bioidentical hormone therapy involves balancing your hormone levels using hormones that are chemically identical to the ones your body naturally produces. Unlike synthetic hormones, which have a slightly different molecular structure, bioidentical hormones match your natural hormones exactly. They are made from plant sources like yams or soy and then modified in a lab to be identical to human hormones.
These hormones can include estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone, and they are prescribed to replace hormones that your body no longer makes enough of. BHRT comes in various forms, including pills, patches, creams, gels, and pellets that are placed under the skin.
What Are Low-Dose Bioidentical Hormones?
Sometimes we are asked, “What is low-dose BHRT?” This is also called “low-dose therapy” and means using the smallest amount of hormones necessary to relieve your symptoms. Normally, your doctor will start you out on low doses and adjust them gradually if needed based on how your body responds. This helps give you relief for your symptoms while minimizing any side effects.
The specific dosage varies for each person because everyone’s body is different, and they will have different hormone levels and needs. Your doctor will determine the right dose for you through blood tests and closely monitoring and tracking your symptoms. Low-dose hormone treatments are preferred by doctors and patients because they may reduce any risks but still be effective enough to manage symptoms.
Bioidentical Hormones vs. Traditional HRT
Many people ask whether bioidentical hormone therapy is safer than HRT (traditional hormone replacement therapy), and the answer is, unfortunately, there have not been enough long-term studies to say for sure. Both formulations of hormones replace what your body lacks, and both carry similar risks.
Some research has reported that certain forms of bioidentical progesterone may be safer for breast tissue than synthetic progestins, but when it comes to estrogen, the differences between bioidentical and synthetic versions are less clear. The way it is administered (patch versus pill, for example) may matter much more than whether the hormone is bioidentical or synthetic.
Benefits of Bioidentical Hormones
Women who use BHRT report they experience a significant improvement in their quality of life, including relief from common menopause symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, and sleep quality issues, and they said they felt a boost in energy.
Bioidentical hormone therapy can also help prevent the loss of bone density and reduce your risk of developing osteoporosis. Studies have shown that BHRT can also help enhance your skin’s elasticity and help with vaginal dryness issues that can affect your comfort during sexual intimacy. Maintaining hormonal balance also helps to keep your mind sharp, improves your focus and concentration, and helps you feel normal again.
Many women like the idea of bioidentical hormones and feel they are safer than synthetic alternatives because they match their body’s natural chemistry. Experts have not confirmed the validity of this belief, but research is ongoing comparing bioidentical vs. synthetic hormones.
Are There Potential Drawbacks or Risks of BHRT?
Some doctors are concerned that the “natural” label gives people a false sense of security because being bioidentical does not automatically make it risk-free. Even though bioidentical hormones have natural origins, they carry risks similar to standard synthetic hormone replacement therapy. These may include increased risk of blood clots, stroke, and certain types of cancer when used for a long time or in high doses.
If your dosage is not properly balancing your hormones, you can experience side effects, like bloating, breast tenderness, headaches, and mood swings. Using too high a dose of bioidentical progesterone can cause excessive fatigue, depression, weight gain, and bloating. If you experience these symptoms, you need to contact your doctor so you can have your dose adjusted.
Another drawback of bioidentical hormones is that they can be expensive because insurance companies may not cover the customized blend of compounded bioidentical hormones you might need. This would leave you having to pay out of pocket, and some FDA-approved bioidentical versions often have higher copays than traditional hormone replacement options.
What Is the Safest Type of HRT?
The safest hormone replacement therapy will be different for each person. Some women do very well using a low-dose estrogen patch combined with bioidentical progesterone with minimal side effects. Others do better using different formulations or means of delivery. The key is finding what is safest and works best for you. As a rule, using the lowest effective dose for the shortest time necessary is considered the safest, regardless of whether you choose bioidentical or traditional hormones.
Working with a knowledgeable and experienced doctor, like Dr. Angelina Postoev with IBI Plastic Surgery and Med Spa, will offer you the best chance of managing your symptoms in the safest way possible.
Who Should Avoid Bioidentical Hormones?
Not everyone is a good candidate for BHRT therapy, so women with a history of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, or endometrial cancer typically should not use hormone therapy of any kind because it could potentially stimulate cancer cell growth. People with a history of blood clots, stroke, heart disease, or liver disease are not good candidates either because BHRT therapy can increase the risk of these serious conditions.
Pregnant women should never use bioidentical hormone therapy, so if you are planning to become pregnant or could be pregnant, tell your doctor before starting any hormone treatment.
How Long Can a Woman Stay on Bioidentical Hormones?
There is not a standard one-size-fits-all answer to the length of time someone can safely use hormone therapy. They may need BHRT for just a few years to get through the worst menopause symptoms, or they may need to continue treatment for many years.
Medical guidelines recommend reassessing the need for hormone therapy every year and talking with your doctor to discuss whether the benefits still outweigh the risks. Recent research reports that starting hormone therapy within 10 years of menopause may offer benefits for your heart and bone health and reduce the risk of cognitive decline.
Many things can influence how long you should stay on treatment, including your symptoms, your health, and your personal risk factors. The decision should be made together with your doctor based on how well it is working for you now and the results of your lab tests.
What Happens When You Stop Bioidentical Hormones?
If you stop using BRHT all at once, but you have not completed your transition through menopause, there is a good chance that your original symptoms will come right back. This means that you may get hot flashes, mood swings, and other menopause symptoms you experienced previously can return.
Doctors typically recommend tapering off hormones gradually rather than stopping cold turkey to give your body time to adjust, which can reduce the severity of returning symptoms. Some women experience withdrawal-like symptoms during the transition, including increased anxiety, sleep problems, or mood changes.
After stopping BHRT, it will take your body some time to adjust to functioning without the supplemental hormones, but the good news is that stopping your therapy does not cause permanent harm, and if your symptoms return and become unbearable, you can talk with Dr. Angelina about restarting BHRT treatments.
How Do I Know If BHRT Is Right For Me?
BHRT offers real benefits for many women struggling with hormone-related symptoms, and it can dramatically improve how well you can function day to day.
The best way to get started with bioidentical hormone therapy is to have an honest conversation with Dr. Angelina Postoev at IBI Plastic Surgery & Med Spa, and discuss your symptoms, your medical history, and your concerns. Learn about all your options, including lifestyle changes, non-hormonal medications, and different types of hormone therapy. Together, you will come up with a plan of treatment to get you feeling your best once again. Set up a consultation to learn more about BHRT and how it can benefit you.
