Bioidentical Hormones Pros And Cons

Push Away From Alternative Therapies

Widely available over the counter, dietary supplements like soy, red clover, and black cohosh are a convenient alternative for women seeking to avoid conventional HT nevertheless, for the most part, these products have not proven themselves efficacious in clinical trials . Eighty-one percent of the CBHT users in this study reported trying dietary supplements at some point to manage symptoms they associated with menopause. Many said that specific herbal or soy supplements had been recommended to them by their health care providers, while others reported receiving recommendations from friends or media sources, or reading the labels to find products to fit their needs. Like others who use dietary supplements , many women in this study described supplements as more natural than pharmaceuticals, and thus perceived them to be safer. Sandra, who tried black cohosh during her search for the right treatment, put it this way, I tried it. I tried it before I on hormone therapy. Didnt like it much. I dont know about the safety of it, but its an herb, so very safe. It didnt work.

The Pros And Cons Of Bioidentical Hormone Therapy

Are you thinking of going in for bioidentical hormone therapy?

Heres an interesting success story. Nikki always felt tired even if she slept for 10 hours the night before, she had to drag herself throughout the day. And she even gained weight. After taking BHRT, she felt a lot of positive differences her energy levels were way up, and she felt strong enough to exercise.

Though there may be many success stories, it is important to see whether this therapy suits you. Well, this article discusses all about BHRT, but it would be a smart move to consult your doctor before starting.

What Our Patients Say

As of March 2021, I have been a HerKare patient for 3 years. I have driven from the Austin to Ft. Worth and Southlake since March 2018. In fact, today I attempted to drive to Southlake to see the provider, Dania Khoncarly, because she is so amazing, but the roads were too dangerous with the current ice storm in Texas, so I visited the Mansfield location instead as it was closer for me. The patient care has been nothing short of amazing. In fact, I cant imagine my life without HerKare. I struggled with hormone deficiency since 2003 until March 2018. The treatment plan provided by HerKare has positively impacted my way of life socially, emotionally, and physically. One of my closest friends now drives from Copperas Cove to the Mansfield location. I have several friends in my age group mid to late 40s & early 50s who would benefit from HerKare. I understand with our nation experiencing COVID, now might not be the time to open a new location, however, your services could positively impact the well-being of so many women. When the time is right, please open more HerKare locations!

Patient since March 2018

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Pellet Therapy: The Pros And Cons

So you want some straight answers to help you make a decision about pellet therapy. Thats not surprising theres so much pro information out there! Surely there must be cons as well?

There are! And its important to consider both pros and cons for you, in connection with issues like

Those are the issues people mostly search for online, and some people also want to know:

• What if pellet therapy doesnt work?
• Can pellet therapy cause cancer?

These are serious questions that deserve a serious answer. And well provide them. Because, although pellet therapy is incredibly convenient and popular, it isnt necessarily the right choice for everyone. There are other methods of delivering the hormone if you decide against pellets.

If youre someone who prefers to discuss your concerns in person, though, contact us here today to talk to one of our consultants.

Otherwise, lets clear the air and get the low-down on pellet therapy both pros and cons. Then well answer those two questions.

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Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy

Overview

Your bodys hormones control most of your basic bodily functions. They serve as an internal communication system between cells throughout the body. They coordinate everything from digestion and growth to your appetite, immune function, mood, and libido. So, when your hormones are out of balance, even slightly, it can have a big impact on your health and well-being.

Often, when peoples hormones drop or become unbalanced, they turn to hormone replacement therapies to ease symptoms. One such therapy, bioidentical hormone replacement therapy , has gotten a lot of attention in recent years. It promises a natural solution to hormone issues. But what exactly is BHRT, and hows it different from other hormone replacement therapies?

Read on to learn all you need to know about BHRT, its benefits and risks, and whether it may be right for you.

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Pros And Cons Of Bioidentical Hormones

Bioidentical hormones are chemical molecules that are identical to naturally occuring human molecules. This means that these particular types of hormones have the same molecular structure with the hormones that the human body produced. Bioidentical hormones are compounded by trained pharmacists from plants natural extracts. These hormones are virtually identical to three estrogens such as estradiol, estriol and estrone. Individuals are wondering if using these hormones for treatment purposes is safe. There have been no definite proofs that can demonstrate the ultimate efficacy of these hormones.

Bioidentical hormones have been subjects of arguments and apparently, these hormones are said to establish mixed reputation. Many individuals have found ultimate success with Bioidentical hormones treatment while there are some who have reported unpleasant effects. But regardless of the different impacts and effects to individuals, these hormones are continuously taken from plant chemicals for the purpose of taking off the effects of hormones produced naturally by the body.

When speaking of bioidentical hormones, individuals will probably come across the pros and cons of Bioidentical hormones. It is essential to widen your familiarity and awareness about the advantages and disadvantages of these hormones to understand more about their nature, impacts and effects to human.

Estrogen Treatment: Topical Creams Gels And Sprays

• What are they? Estrogen gels , creams , and sprays offer another way of getting estrogen into your system. As with patches, this type of estrogen treatment is absorbed through the skin directly into the bloodstream. The specifics on how to apply these creams vary, although they’re usually used once a day. Estrogel is applied on one arm, from the wrist to the shoulder. Estrasorb is applied to the legs. Evamist is applied to the arm.
• Pros. Because estrogen creams are absorbed through the skin and go directly into the bloodstream, they’re safer than oral estrogen for people who have liver and cholesterol problems.
• Cons. Estrogen gels, creams, and sprays have not been well-studied. While they could be safer than oral estrogen, experts aren’t sure. So assume that they pose the same slight risk of serious conditions, like cancer and stroke.One potential problem with using this type of estrogen treatment is that the gel, cream or spray can rub or wash off before it’s been fully absorbed. Make sure you let the topical dry before you put on clothes. Always apply it after you bathe or shower.

Because the estrogen is absorbed right through the skin, don’t let other people in your family touch these creams or gels. If they do, they could get dosed with estrogen themselves. For the same reason, make sure your hands are clean and dry after applying the medication.

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Pros Of Hormone Replacement Therapy Bhrt

If youre suffering from the symptoms of hormone imbalance, then you may be thrilled to learn that bioidentical hormone replacement therapy has many benefits! Professionals have proven that BHRT is an effective way to increase quality of life and can help with the following hormone imbalance symptoms:

• Difficulty sleeping

Hormone replacement therapy may also help to reduce your risk for tooth loss, diabetes, and cataracts and improve your skins thickness, hydration, and elasticity.

A study also found that people with cancer who underwent bioidentical hormone replacement therapy found relief from treatment-related symptoms such as incontinence, migraines, low libido, and insomnia. This study also found the recurrence rate of breast cancer in the test subjects was no higher than average.

Another positive aspect of BHRT is that its convenient and easy to use. You have many options in how to deliver it to your body.

• You take pills once or twice a day.
• Apply creams and gels to your skin.
• Pop on an occasional patch.
• Come in for a hormone injection.
• Or have a small hormone pellet inserted under your skin that will release custom doses of hormones for up to six months.

But why does hormone therapy relieve symptoms of hormone imbalance?

For instance, if one hormone isnt doing its job properly, then communications between hormones and systems go haywire, and the next thing you know, youve got a game of telephone gone wrong.

Bioidentical Hormone Treatment: Will It Help Or Hurt Your Autoimmune Conditions

In the last few decades, hormone replacement therapy for women of menopausal age has alternately been hailed as a savior and condemned as a potential threat, sometimes simultaneously. Their considerable ability to influence and mitigate both normal and disease processes has been tempered by their apparent deleterious effects on other aspects of womens health. Below we consider a very specific type of hormone treatment that has invited interest lately, and discuss its impact on autoimmune diseases.

What are bioidentical hormone treatments?

Bioidentical hormones are chemically synthesized compounds that are structurally identical to those found in human beings. While they are derived from soy and yam plants, they are made in the laboratory and are thus considered synthetic materials . The bioidentical estrogens available mainly come in the form of estrogen derivatives known as estradiols and estriols progesterone versions are simply finely ground progesterone.

Are bioidenticals only an option for perimenopausal and menopausal women?

At the same time, there are plenty of medical professionals who believe in the additional potential to ward off vascular disease such as stroke, in addition to other problems. For these reasons, it is incredibly important to consult with your physician about the reasons for and possibilities of bioidentical hormone treatment, or any hormone treatment for that matter.

• Hormone Replacement and Contraceptive Therapy in Autoimmune Diseases

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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.

What Are The Pros Of Bhrt

Research has found that BHRT plays an essential role in managing moderate to severe perimenopause symptoms like

In addition, research is finding that hormone replacement therapy may also

• reduce the risk of diabetes, tooth loss, and cataracts
• protect cardiovascular and bone health
• improve skin elasticity, thickness, and hydration, and
• reduce wrinkles.

BHRT has even been shown to improve the general wellbeing and quality of life of women with cancer who have undergone treatments that affect their estrogen levels.

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Prevalence Of Cbht Use

Although there is little historical data on the prevalence of CBHT use, it appears that its popularity rose dramatically among women following the halt of the WHI hormone therapy clinical trials, when many women stopped using conventional HT and sought alternative approaches for managing menopausal symptoms . In the years that followed, there were also a number of high profile endorsements, including from Oprah Winfrey, who declared, After one day on bioidentical estrogen, I felt the veil lift .

Today CBHT remains hotly debated and in the news , and recent data suggests that CBHT use remains high: A recent, national population-weighted survey determined that 35% of U.S. women currently using HT are using CBHT others have similarly estimated that 1 to 2.5 million U.S. women over the age of 40 are currently using CBHT . A survey of U.S. pharmacies estimated 2633 million annual CBHT prescriptions, totaling $1.31.6 billion U.S. dollarsmost of this in out-of-pocket spending . Most of these pharmacies projected growth in compounding around 5% – 25% over the next 2 years . The only national-level, population-based study of the prevalence of CBHT to date comes from Australia, where authors find that 6% of women aged 5069 have used CBHT and 2% are current users .

Storefront promotion of CBHT in Portland, Oregon, 2016.

Understanding The Pros And Cons Of Hormone Pellets

For people of varying ages and with a range of hormone-related symptoms, hormone pellets can be the key to feeling like themselves again.

It all starts with knowing the pros and cons of hormone pellets and working with a specialist to determine the best choice for you.

To take the first step toward a happier, healthier life, schedule a free hormone replacement consultation with our specialized, experienced team.

ReVital gives you the balance you need to get back to you!

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Significance Of This Research

This work is situated within a larger body of work that aims to understand health care decisions within an increasingly patient-centered health care paradigm that encourages shared decision-making between patients and clinicians.1 This is especially relevant in a health care environment where information and treatment optionseach with their own risks, benefits, and side effectsproliferate. In this context, there is increasing recognition by clinicians that patients priorities and preferences matter . A systematic review of patient-reported barriers to and facilitators of shared decision-making identified patientsknowledge and patients perceived power to participate as key themes influencing patients participation in shared decision-making . However, there is also compelling evidence that merely providing patients with more information is not sufficient to support shared decision-making. Rather, atients need to feel supported so they feel capable of acquiring and understanding knowledge about the available options, and so that they value their personal knowledge contribution .

Are Bioidentical Hormones Right For You

The decision to start BHT should be made with your healthcare provider. Before starting treatment, you should discuss the potential risks and benefits of the therapy with your provider. If you have any other medical conditions or are taking other medications, you should also discuss this with your healthcare provider to ensure that BHT is safe for you.

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The Type Of Hormone You Take Matters

Another factor the WHI failed to address was the composition of the medication itself. They used synthetic hormonesconjugated estradiol and medroxyprogesterone acetate. Could bioidentical hormones, exact replicas of endogenous hormones which exploded in popularity following the WHI, have a different effect?

The amount of research into conventional HRT dwarfs bioidentical hormone therapy research, but what we have looks pretty compelling.

Breast cancer is a major concern for HRT users. Most breast cancers respond to estrogen, just over half respond to progesterone, and traditional HRT seems to increase their risk. Yet, at least in healthy postmenopausal women, a combination percutaneous estradiol gel and oral micronized progesteroneboth bioidentical to their endogenous counterpartshad no effect on epithelial proliferation of the breast tissue, while reducing activity of a protein that protects cancer from cell death. The conventional HRT had the opposite effect, increasing epithelial proliferation and breast volume . This wasnt about cancer, but its suggestive.

In another study, postmenopausal women on BHT saw improvements across all measured cardiovascular, inflammatory, immune, and glucoregulatory biomarkers despite being exposed to high levels of life stress.

Are Compounded Bioidentical Hormones Bad

There are risks to taking compounded bioidentical hormones, but in some cases, they may be a better choice. Compounded bioidentical hormones are not FDA-approved. They are not tested for safety or effectiveness. Many major medical groups do not support using them because not enough is known about their safety and long-term side effects.

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Which Hormones You Take Matters

The vast majority of postmenopausal women take estrogen, progesterone, or some combination of the two. But theres another hormone that, despite plummeting during menopause, gets ignoredtestosterone.

Although testosterone is the male hormone, it also plays a vital role in female physiology, especially sexual function. Menopause reduces testosterone by about half, and studies indicate that topical testosterone replacement therapy can improve sexual function and desire as well as musculoskeletal health and cognitive performance in postmenopausal women. More importantly, topical testosterone improves sexual function without causing any of the adverse effects commonly associated with testosterone usage in women, like hair loss, voice deepening, body hair growth, facial hair growth, breast pain or tenderness, or headaches.

Adding low-dose testosterone to a low-dose estrogen regimen may even be better at reducing somatic symptoms of menopause than a higher dose of estrogen alone.

It Has Other Health Benefits

In addition to helping you lose weight, BHRT can also offer other health benefits. For example, bioidentical estrogen has been shown to reduce the risk of osteoporosis and heart disease. Bioidentical progesterone has been shown to improve mood and sleep quality. And bioidentical testosterone has been shown to improve energy levels, mood, and libido. So if youre looking for a way to improve your overall health, BHRT may be a good option.

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