Benefits of BHRT for the Heart

Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) is a type of hormone replacement therapy that uses natural, biologically identical hormones instead of synthetic hormones traditionally used in hormone therapy.¹

As a result, your body can’t tell the difference between these bioidentical hormones and the naturally occurring hormones in your body.

Some women have feared using BHRT, but more recent studies suggest a wide range of potential benefits BHRT may offer for heart health and overall wellness.

Hormones like estrogen, testosterone, and progesterone have all been linked to supporting the cardiovascular system. In fact, BHRT may favorably impact many cardiovascular biomarkers like blood sugar levels, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, clotting factors, and more.²

Benefits of Estrogen Therapy

Estrogen production usually drops during perimenopause and more drastically after menopause. Unfortunately, that’s also the point when the risk of heart disease increases for women.³

Estrogen plays a big part in heart health. Studies have found that estrogen helps increase blood flow throughout the body, relaxing and dilating blood vessels. It may also have a positive impact on cholesterol levels—with some sources noting increases in adequate cholesterol levels by 10–15% while lowering bad cholesterol—and may help absorb free radicals that can damage arteries.

During premenopause, women who have higher estrogen levels usually have heart health profiles similar to men 10–20 years younger, but after menopause, heart disease risk increases significantly as estrogen levels decline.

Replacing natural estrogen during menopause may be one way to support heart health benefits associated with higher estrogen levels.⁴

Benefits of Progesterone Therapy

Progesterone may also offer some significant benefits for heart health.⁵

It may enhance some of estrogen’s benefits on blood vessels, work as a natural diuretic to help reduce blood pressure, increase metabolic rate, and provide anti-inflammatory effects.

In many cases, estrogen and progesterone therapies are used together to maximize heart and additional health benefits.

Benefits of Testosterone Therapy

For men, testosterone therapy may offer some notable benefits.⁶

Testosterone is linked to a lower risk of chest pain, a decrease in the thickening or hardening of the arteries, lower inflammation levels, and improved exercise tolerance.

Men who have lower testosterone levels are more likely to have coronary artery disease, and low testosterone levels are also linked to higher all-cause mortality.

Additional Benefits of BHRT

Some people immediately think of women approaching menopause when they think of hormone replacement therapy.

However, BHRT may offer benefits for both men and women.⁷

Both genders deal with hormone-related symptoms that come with aging.

Along with offering heart health benefits, additional potential benefits of BHRT may include:

• Improved mental clarity
• Thicker, healthier hair
• Stronger sex drive
• Improved ability to build muscle and lose fat
• Increased daytime energy, making it easier to exercise
• Reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety
• Healthy, glowing skin
• Fewer problems with bloating
• Reduced symptoms of menopause, such as night sweats and hot flashes
• Better sleep at night, including easier sleep onset and staying asleep
• Improved sense of overall well-being

Taking care of your heart—and the rest of your body—is essential, especially as you age.

Changes in hormone levels as you grow older can increase your heart disease risk and other health conditions.

BHRT may be able to help improve not only heart health but also overall health.

Of course, each person has unique healthcare needs, so discuss BHRT with your medical professional to determine whether you are a good candidate for this type of hormone treatment.

References:

1. bioidentical hormone replacement therapy overview (Healthline)
2. bioidentical hormone replacement therapy research review (Natural Medicine Journal)
3. menopause perimenopause and postmenopause overview (Cleveland Clinic)
4. estrogen therapy benefits for women overview (MedicineNet)
5. progesterone and cardiovascular system review (NIH PMC)
6. testosterone benefits and health effects overview (Healthline)
7. bioidentical hormones uses benefits and risks overview (Medical News Today)