Bioidentical Hormone Therapy (BHRT)
We are often asked the question: ‘what are bioidentical hormones?’ As every woman is unique, we do not all react in the same way to hormonal changes in our bodies.
Mainstream HRT on offer can help resolve a lot of our issues, but some symptoms
need a different approach. Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) can be
used to achieve that fine balance that may be needed for an individual woman. It is
important to be able to choose the most effective and appropriate treatments to give us the
hormonal balance we require in our perimenopause and menopause. It is therefore vital
that only a clinician experienced in managing Women’s Health and hormone balance takes
responsibility for the treatment.
With Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT), we offer a fine balance that may be needed for an individual woman to ease the signs associated with perimenopause and menopause. When experiencing these symptoms, it’s important to have access to options for the most effective and appropriate treatments required to achieve your natural and optimal hormonal balance in safe hands.
1. What is Bioidentical Hormone Therapy?
Bioidentical hormones were first derived from diosgenin, a substance obtained from Mexican yams. Similar in their molecular structure to those found in the body, these hormones work effectively with your body with lower the chances of side effects. To ensure the effectiveness of the hormone treatment, the dose can be fine-tuned to each individual woman and her symptoms.
The hormone therapy is administered in a few different ways to suit what is most comfortable for you – patches, gels, creams or pessaries.
BHRT & HRT have profound results when used as effective formulations for the individual woman, as they mimic the hormones that your body is naturally producing. As each person’s biochemistry is unique, so should their treatment be.
Bioidentical hormones are compounded by the Specialist Pharmacy to include the specific combination of hormones and strengths prescribed specifically for your unique needs. This off-label prescription means that this drug has been tried and tested in its efficacy, and that a suitable FDA or MHRA approved alternative is not available.
Some hormones, such as testosterone, are not available as licensed drugs, these treatments can be prescribed off-label to help reduce symptoms caused by hormonal fluctuations in the body leading up to and during menopause.
Licenses for drugs are obtained by pharmaceutical companies, but if there is not enough commercial interest in a certain drug, however effective, it may never get the research needed to obtain the license.
Widely used throughout the world, BHRT is trusted in the USA, Canada, Australia, Germany and France. Here treatments prescribed by doctors only are compounded by state regulated pharmacies. In the UK the Specialist Pharmacy is regulated by and complies with the standards of the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).
2. What Are the Benefits of Estrogen
Estrogen is the name given to a group of related hormones: estradiol, estrone and estriol. They work to support a woman’s health and overall well-being.
3. What Are the Benefits of Progesterone
Bio-identical progesterone is known to be mood-enhancing, working as one of few natural antidepressants. It is sometimes also used to treat certain symptoms associated with menopause, like hot flushes.
Synthetic progesterone is a different chemical compound called a progestin, which is used in conventional HRT and can be linked to negative side effects such as depression, lethargy, fluid retention, and high cholesterol in susceptible individuals.
4. What Are the Benefits of Testosterone
While most know testosterone to be the principal male sex hormone, it is also an anabolic steroid which women use in small doses to strengthen their muscles and bone density. It is also known to improve one’s mood, red blood cell production, feeling of well-being, energy and libido.
5. What Are the Benefits of Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)
Dehydroepiandrosterone, more commonly referred to as DHEA, is the most prolific hormone in the body and starts to decrease from around the age of 30, matching the signs and symptoms of ageing and one’s susceptibility to disease.
DHEA converts into essential hormones – testosterone and oestrogen – as required by the body and increases energy and enhances the feeling of vitality.
6. What Are the Benefits of Pregnenolone
Pregnenolone is a powerful pro-hormone and is essential for the production of many
hormones, such as: cortisol, progesterone, estrogen, testosterone and progesterone within
the body. It is naturally produced by the adrenal glands.
The human body generally makes enough pregnenolone to meet your needs under normal
circumstances. However, pregnenolone levels decline with age and supplementation is
often beneficial. It does not occur naturally in food.
For more information about Dr Meyer or if you’re interested in booking a consultation with her, visit https://menopausetreatment.co.uk/your-consultation/ or contact the clinic directly here.