Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy

What is bioidentical hormone replacement therapy?

Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) uses hormones extracted from plants like yams and soybeans that have precisely the same chemical composition as human hormones. This identical molecular structure means your body finds BHRT easier to absorb than synthetic hormones.

BHRT restores proper hormone levels to address deficiencies and help your body regain a healthy balance.

What do hormones do?

Hormones are chemicals made in glands throughout your body. They’re responsible for multiple functions, ranging from metabolism regulation (thyroid hormone) to digestion (insulin). BHRT’s most common use is in restoring female sex hormone levels, including:

Estrogen

Estrogen is an essential hormone for men and women. It plays significant roles in varying functions, including skin health, mood, and protection from conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, heart disease, osteoporosis, and stroke. Estrogen is also vital to women’s sexual health and reproduction. 

Progesterone

Progesterone is the other hormone that regulates reproduction. It helps protect against women’s health problems like ovarian cysts, fibrocystic breast disease, and uterine and breast cancers.

Women also have small quantities of the male sex hormone testosterone, which they need for optimal sexual health.

You might experience various uncomfortable or distressing symptoms when something disrupts the natural hormone balance.

When might I need bioidentical hormone replacement therapy?

You might benefit from bioidentical hormone replacement therapy if you have menopausal symptoms, which can include the following:

• Hot flashes
• Night sweats
• Low libido
• Vaginal dryness
• Difficulty sleeping
• Low mood
• Irritability
• Fatigue

These problems might develop in middle age (usually a few years on either side of 50) when women go through menopause. This natural process occurs when estrogen and progesterone production slows, and you can no longer bear children.

What does having BHRT involve?

First, Dr. Amersi checks if bioidentical hormone replacement therapy is suitable for you — it may not be appropriate for women with certain medical conditions, like breast cancer, or those with a history of deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

She discusses your symptoms, performs a comprehensive physical exam, and takes blood for lab tests to rule out other disorders. If BHRT is a good choice for you, Dr. Amersi will proceed with the treatment.

BHRT is available in various forms, including pills and creams, but implants are one of the most convenient. The pellet used is about the size of a rice grain. Dr. Amersi inserts it into the fatty tissues on your buttock where you can’t feel it. The implant lasts about 3-4 months, releasing hormones gradually and consistently, and then you return for another.

Call Shamsah Amersi, MD, to learn more about BHRT’s benefits, or request an appointment online today.