Bioidentical hormones are structurally identical to the hormones naturally produced by the human body. During perimenopause and menopause, a woman's ovaries produce less estrogen and progesterone, which can lead to symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, mood changes, sleep disturbances, and bone loss.
Bioidentical hormone therapy (BHT) involves supplementing the declining levels of estrogen and progesterone with plant-derived hormones that are chemically identical in structure and function to endogenous human hormones. The main bioidentical hormones used for menopausal symptom relief are:
- Estradiol: The main circulating form of estrogen in a premenopausal woman. Bioidentical estradiol is structurally identical to endogenous estradiol and can effectively treat hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal atrophy symptoms, bone loss and quality of life issues.
- Progesterone: Crucial for regulating menstruation and supporting pregnancy in the premenopause stage. Bioidentical progesterone helps counteract estrogen dominance and is beneficial for sleep, mood stability, and breast tissue health.
Benefits of Bioidentical Hormones:
- Molecularly identical to the body's own hormones
- Individualized doses to match hormone levels to optimum ranges
- Improved menopausal symptoms
- Restored quality of life
- Possible increased safety compared to synthetic hormones
The
end goal of bioidentical hormone therapy is to supplement hormones to achieve physiological concentration levels typically seen in premenopause. This can alleviate debilitating menopausal symptoms and support overall health.
Administering Bioidentical Hormones
Bioidentical hormones are available in various FDA-approved pharmaceutical preparations:
- Oral capsules
- Transdermal creams/gels/patches
- Sublingual tablets
- Vaginal inserts/creams/tablets
- Injections & pellets
The route of administration affects the absorption rate and metabolism.
Transdermal and sublingual preparations bypass first pass liver metabolism, allowing lower doses to achieve desired hormonal levels.
A compounded bioidentical hormone pharmacy like The Balance - Hormone Medical Clinic formulates customized BHT preparations in capsules, troches, and creams based on the patient’s saliva or blood tests. This personalized approach improves safety and efficacy.
Monitoring Hormone Levels
Clinical monitoring of hormone levels through saliva/blood tests ensures appropriate therapeutic levels are achieved. Testing is done at baseline and follow-up appointments to monitor progress.
Bioidentical Progesterone and Estrogen Combination
Bioidentical progesterone is usually combined with estradiol in BHT to achieve hormonal balance, although estrogen-only formulations are options for women without a uterus.
The risks associated with unopposed estrogen therapy is eliminated by balancing estrogen with the correct progesterone dosage. Combination bioidentical hormone preparations are available in standardized ratios such as BiEst and Triest.
Saliva testing determines the ideal ratio of estrogen to progesterone for the individual based on menopausal symptoms and risks. The Balance - Hormone Medical Clinic provides customized combination bioidentical hormones at the optimal ratio for you.
Safety Considerations
Clinical evidence indicates bioidentical hormones are safer than synthetic
hormone replacement therapy. However, there are safety considerations:
- Increased risk of blood clots, gallbladder issues, fluid retention with oral estrogen. Transdermal estrogen is safer as it avoids first-pass liver metabolism.
- Overdosing progesterone can cause depression, anxiety, irregular bleeding. Testing helps determine the minimum effective dose.
- Estrogen exposure increases cancer risk in women with uterus. A progestogen is protective but transvaginal administration may be unsafe for survivors with reproductive cancers.
Regular medical monitoring with bloodwork, breast exams, pelvic ultrasounds ensure early detection of any complications.
In summary,
bioidentical hormone therapy can effectively and safely treat disruptive menopausal symptoms, supporting health and quality of life when correctly balanced and monitored. Talk to your healthcare provider and consider contacting certified
BHT specialists like The Balance - Hormone Medical Clinic to explore your custom bioidentical hormone options.
