Hormone Replacement Therapy

Myths and Truths About Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Therapy

Myths about bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) prevent many women and men from taking advantage of the health benefits provided by BHRT. Hormone therapy, in general, maintains a somewhat unfavorable view primarily because of the results of a comprehensive study conducted in 2002 by the Women’s Health Initiative. The study found that women taking hormones made with horse estrogens (Prempro and Premarin, for example) have a 41% increased risk for strokes, a 29% increased risk for heart attack and nearly 25% increased risk for heart disease and breast cancer.¹

Bioidentical hormones are not made with horse estrogens, the ingredient doctors suspect contributes to raising the risk of serious health problems. Instead, bioidentical hormones are derived from plant-based substances that resemble the molecular structure of hormones naturally produced by the body.

Cells in the body containing receptors for hormones readily accept and utilize bioidentical hormones to relieve symptoms of menopause and testosterone loss in men.

Alternately, your body struggles to accept pharmaceutical hormone molecules because these molecules do not resemble hormones made by your body. Doctors think it is this “struggle” to absorb equine-based hormones that may provoke an inflammatory response leading to cancer, heart disease and development of blood clots.²

Top 5 Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy Myths (BHRT)

Only Women Benefit from BHRT

BHRT is not just for perimenopausal or menopausal women. Men also experience symptoms of testosterone loss in their 40s and 50s as their testicles stop producing testosterone. BHRT can help men reduce signs of low testosterone such as low sex drive, lack of energy, moodiness and loss of muscle mass.³

BHRT Causes Weight Gain

Bioidentical hormone therapy does not cause you to gain weight. Instead, BHRT balances hormones to optimize metabolism, increase energy levels and regulate hormones involved in appetite. If you are having trouble losing weight even though you are eating right and exercising, BHRT may be able to help you lose those extra pounds.⁴

BHRT Doesn’t Work for Women Experiencing Clinically Induced Menopause

Surgical removal of the ovaries (oophorectomy) causes symptoms of menopause regardless of a woman’s age at the time of the removal. Hot flashes, insomnia, moodiness, body aches, brain fog and other signs of menopause indicate the same hormone imbalance and hormone deficiencies seen in women going through natural menopause. Bioidentical hormone therapy can most certainly help women regain their physical and cognitive health after an oophorectomy.⁵

BHRT Carries the Same Risks as Traditional Hormone Therapies

Bioidentical hormones contain no equine estrogens or chemicals synthesized in pharmaceutical laboratories. These compounded hormones have been tested for safety and approved by the U.S. FDA for use in adult men and women for treating hormone imbalance and deficiency. In fact, a comprehensive review of the literature investigating the safety and efficacy of BHRT found that “clinical outcomes and physiological data found that BHRT is associated with reduced risks of heart disease and breast cancer. BHRT is also more effective in symptom relief than traditional hormone therapy”. The author of this review concluded by stating “BHRT remains the preferred method of hormone replacement therapy”.^{6, 7}

Bioidentical Hormone Therapy is Available Only as an Injection

Renew Health and Wellness offers BHRT in the form of pea-sized pellets that release controlled amounts of bioidentical hormones, so you don’t have to remember to take pills, use creams or receive injections. The process of inserting pellets under the skin is painless and takes just a few minutes. Replacement of pellets is needed about three to four times each year.

To learn more about the many benefits of BHRT, contact us today to schedule a consultation appointment. BHRT can safely reduce symptoms of hormone loss and imbalance due to natural or clinical hormone loss and imbalance.

References

Myths and Truths About Bio identical Hormone Replacement Therapy

Cells in the body containing receptors for hormones readily accept and utilize bioidentical hormones to relieve symptoms of menopause and testosterone loss in men.