Hormone Replacement Therapy

Benefits of BHRT for the Heart

Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) is a type of hormone replacement therapy that uses natural and biologically identical hormones to the hormones produced by the body instead of synthetic like traditionally used hormones.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 show the wide range of benefits BHRT offers the heart and overall health.

Hormones like estrogen, testosterone, and progesterone have all been linked to protecting the cardiovascular system. In fact, BHRT favorably impacts many cardiovascular bio-markers 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 the blood vessels. It also has a positive impact on cholesterol levels – shown to raise adequate cholesterol levels by 10-15% while lowering bad cholesterol – and may absorb free radicals that can cause damaged arteries.

During pre-menopause, women who have higher estrogen levels usually have the heart health of men 10-20 years younger, but after menopause, heart disease risk increases significantly as estrogen levels plummet.

Replacing natural estrogen during menopause may be an excellent way to regain the amazing heart health benefits of higher estrogen levels.⁴

Benefits of Progesterone Therapy

Progesterone also offers some significant benefits for heart health.⁵

It boosts the benefits of estrogen on the blood vessels, works as a natural diuretic to reduce blood pressure, can increase metabolic rate, and even has anti-inflammatory abilities.

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

Benefits of Testosterone Therapy

For men, testosterone therapy offers some excellent 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 an improvement in 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 offers 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 benefits of BHRT may include:

Improved mental clarity
Thicker, healthier hair
Stronger sex drive
Improved ability to build muscle and lose fat
An increase in energy during the day, making it easier to exercise
Reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety
Healthy, glowing skin
Fewer problems with bloating
Reduction in the symptoms of menopause like night sweats and hot flashes
Better sleep at night, finding it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep
Improved sense of overall wellbeing

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 you improve not only heart health but also your 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