Menopause and Hormones - 3 stages of menopause - Perimenopause - Menopause - What Causes Menopause - 35 Menopause Symptoms - Post-Menopause - Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy - 3 steps in Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy - Hormone Tests

What is Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT)?

Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT), also called natural hormone replacement therapy, is the supplemental use of Bioidentical hormones (estrogen, progesterone and/or testosterone) to replace and balance one's hormones to help relieve menopause, perimenopause or post menopause symptoms.

Bioidentical hormones are exactly the same, “identical” hormones, molinecule per molecule that the body produces. They come from plant sources, but are still considered natural to the body because they are identical biologically to female hormones and so they help women rebalance hormone levels in a safe and natural way.

Imbalanced hormone levels can become increasingly complex, because sometimes the level of a hormone is not as important as its ratio to the other hormones. This is why conversations with a healthcare practitioner will be about "balancing" hormones rather than merely increasing them.

Conversely, synthetic hormone drugs do not mimic your body's natural hormones. They mainly turn off menopause symptoms rather than rebalance hormone levels and recent studies have shown synthetic hormones can significantly increase the risk of breast cancer, heart attacks, and strokes. The extent to which Bioidentical hormones are safe and do not subject patients to these risks is a matter of controversy. The U.S. FDA takes the position that Bioidentical hormones could also present some risk. This should be discussed with your health care practitioner.

More information – The Three Steps in the BHRT Process

Disclaimer

BHRT is a controversial approach to menopause that, while adopted by many physicians practicing integrative, complementary or alternative medicine, has not been adopted by physicians in conventional settings. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is skeptical that the scientific evidence supports this approach to care. Wyeth, a pharmaceutical company that manufacturers synthetic hormone replacement therapy has petitioned the FDA to limit certain compounds that may be used, which the FDA has granted. Not al compounds remain available, though the primary ingredients with clinical significance remain available. Large population studies of BHRT have not been conducted, and the information available about both the risks and benefits of natural hormone replacement are the result of clinical experience and applied knowledge of biochemistry rather than such studies.

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