As our bodies age, our hormone levels decline. This is especially critical for athletes and those that live an active lifestyle. The hormonal decline that results from aging can be stopped and/or reversed by bioidentical hormone therapy also known as bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, which can replace the hormones that our bodies require in order to optimally function. The bioidentical hormone molecule for DHEA, estrogen, progesterone, testosterone or even thyroid is indistinguishable from structure of the bodies hormone.
The hormones used in bioidentical hormone therapy are extracted from plants and synthesized in the lab. When complete, the synthesized hormone is biologically identical to the hormone made in the body. Unfortunately, some clinics tout that they offer bioidentical hormone therapy using “natural hormones.” This is false and deceptive, since these the hormones used in bioidentical hormone therapy are made in the lab of a compounding pharmacy.
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy or BHRT, can be extremely beneficial to women who are experiencing the anguish resulting from early menopause, which include symptoms such as decreased libido, hot flashes, night sweats, loss of memory, mood shifts and weight gain. A customized bioidentical hormone replacement treatment can also help women who are in menopause, perimenopause and even painful PMS.
Men suffering from andropause, commonly referred to as “male menopause,” can also benefit from bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. The symptoms most common in andropause, which include fatigue, loss of libido, loss of energy, decrease in muscle mass and increase in body fat occur gradually. Most if not all of the symptoms associated with andropause, can be eliminated with bioidentical hormone replacement therapy.
In women, the ovaries and adrenal glands produce estrogen. In men, estrogen is produced in the adrenal glands, pituitary gland and testes. Women have three types of estrogen: Estrogen, Estradiol and Estriol. Estrogen is in control of growth and maturity of sexual characteristics in women. Moreover, estrogen promotes uterine lining growth in the early part of the menstrual cycle, aids in the regulation of cholesterol metabolism, bone growth and increases libido and sexual desire.
In women, estrogen levels drop quickly at the start of menopause. The symptoms associated with low levels of estrogen in women include:
These symptoms can be really devastating for female athletes. Women who are currently experiencing these symptoms can easily find out if their estrogen levels are low by taking a simple blood test. Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy will quickly relieve the symptoms above and bring back estrogen levels to normal.
Here are some of the benefits associated with Bioidentical Estrogen Hormone Replacement Therapy:
Synthetic estrogen, which goes by the trade name Premarin is not the same as the natural estrogen produced by the body. Moreover, Premarin may increase the risk of blood clots, heart attacks and strokes. Bioidentical Estrogen in the Estradiol form, has been studied extensively and does not have the same harmful side effects associated with Premarin. Women who restore their estrogen levels back the same levels when they were younger, feel, look and live better.
Bioidentical hormone prescriptions are not filled through a regular pharmacy, but a compounding pharmacy instead. The difference between the compounding pharmacy and a regular pharmacy is that the compounding pharmacy can prepare a completely unique dose based on your symptoms, medical history and blood test results which has been specifically prescribed for you by your doctor. For the best possible results from your treatment, the right dose has to be prescribed and may need to be adjusted by the compounding pharmacy.
Progesterone is a reproductive hormone, and is used to balance estrogen in the body. In females, progesterone is made by the ovaries and adrenal glands. In males, progesterone is produced by the adrenal gland and testes. Progesterone’s effects that are shared by men and women are, reduction of anxiety, ease of falling asleep, proper bone health and properly adjusting the rate of digestion. Additionally, progesterone assists the body’s use of fat for energy, improves thyroid hormone response and increases sexual drive and desire.
In men, progesterone can increase core body temperature and assist in relaxing the smooth muscle in the bronchi, especially for asthma and/or sleep apnea treatment.
Some of the symptoms associated with low progesterone include:
The benefits associated with bioidentical progesterone replacement therapy include:
Bioidentical progesterone therapy offers many benefits including protection from breast and uterine cancer, natural tranquilizer effect, increases the overall feeling of well-being, increases the benefits of estrogen, provides relief from menopausal pain and PMS symptoms, promotes new bone formation and protection against cardiovascular disease. Provera, which is a synthetic progesterone hormone, does not provide the mentioned benefits of bioidentical progesterone.
Furthermore, as hormone levels change in men as a result of aging, the prostate can be affected by these changes and become enlarged making it difficult to urinate. Bioidentical progesterone therapy may help manage the size of the prostate so that urination problems are eliminated.
Thyroid hormones are created by the thyroid gland and are responsible for controlling brain function, body metabolism and body temperature. Thyroid hormones also provide protection against heart disease by enhancing the breakdown of fat which creates weight loss and lowers cholesterol. In addition, thyroid hormones advance the metabolism of brain cells which wards off cognitive decline and/or impairment and provides support for healthy hair, nails and skin.
The thyroid gland produces thyroid hormone as T4, which is then converted into a functional form of thyroid hormone known as T3. The body makes significantly less T4 as people age, while the converted T3 becomes less efficient and the receptor cells come to be less responsive to thyroid hormone. As a result of aging, the overall weakening effect of thyroid hormone function has a negative impact on all of the body’s organs.
Symptoms associated with low thyroid hormone include:
Although several of the aforementioned symptoms are regarded as an expected part of aging, thyroid as well as other hormone function decreases with age. The good news is that that there is significant medical research showing that restoring the levels of thyroid hormone can alleviate many of the symptoms associated with low thyroid hormone, allowing our bodies to return to effective and efficient function.
Bioidentical Thyroid hormone replacement therapy which includes the combining of T4 and T3 has been shown clinical improvement and a reversal of symptoms associated with low thyroid.