By Mary Halpin
In today’s world, hormone imbalances are increasingly common, affecting all ages and genders. Whether it’s due to aging, stress, or other factors perhaps relating to the modern environment, maintaining hormonal balance is crucial for your overall health and wellbeing. When addressing hormone deficiencies or imbalances, many people choose bioidentical hormones. But why?
Let’s look at:
- understanding bioidentical hormones
- how bioidentical hormones are made
- bioidentical hormones vs. synthetic hormones
- benefits of bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT)
- potential risks and side effects
Understanding Bioidentical Hormones
Bioidentical hormones are compounds structurally identical to the hormones naturally produced by the human body. These hormones, including estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone, are derived from plant sources such as yams and soy. Unlike synthetic hormones, which are developed in laboratories and may have different molecular structures, bioidentical hormones mimic the molecular structure of hormones found in your body. That means your body recognizes them and doesn’t reject them. Medically speaking, this is an immediate plus!
But how are they made in this identical way?
How Bioidentical Hormones Are Made
Creating bioidentical hormones involves extracting plant-based compounds and chemically converting them into hormones that are, as we indicated above, identical in structure to those produced by the human body.
If you’re curious, a quick explanation looks like this:
- The compounds extracted are precursors to hormones, obtained by crushing the plant material and dissolving the desired component.
- These undergo chemical modification to produce the hormone structure we humans expect.
- A purification process removes unwanted byproducts to make the final product safe for humans.
- Finally these pure bioidentical hormones are formulated in the desired way – maybe as pellets, pills, creams, patches, etc.
You can see how these bioidentical hormones can easily and effectively restore your hormonal balance without introducing foreign substances.
Bioidentical Hormones vs. Synthetic: The Key Differences
When you choose bioidentical hormones rather than synthetic hormones, a primary distinction lies in their molecular structure. While bioidentical hormones have the same molecular structure as the hormones produced by your body, synthetic hormones are chemically altered to mimic the effects of natural hormones.
There’s a subtle difference here from the chemical process described above which is already dealing with a natural product. This difference is significant because our bodies may respond differently to synthetic hormones, potentially leading to adverse reactions or side effects.
Bioidentical hormones therefore offer a more natural and balanced approach to hormone replacement therapy. Because they closely resemble your body’s hormones, bioidentical hormones integrate seamlessly into existing hormonal pathways, promoting smoother regulation and metabolism.
Let’s look at how this leads to benefits when you choose bioidentical hormones over synthetic ones.
Benefits of Choosing Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT)
Bioidentical hormone therapy offers several advantages over synthetic alternatives.
Customizable Dosing and Hormonal Balance
One of the most significant advantages of BHRT is the ability to customize dosing to meet your unique needs. Unlike synthetic hormone treatments, which often come in standardized doses, bioidentical hormone therapy allows healthcare providers to adjust hormone levels precisely based on hormone testing and symptoms.
This customizable approach not only improves the efficacy of hormone therapy but also minimizes the risk of over- or under-treatment. Fine-tuning hormone levels achieves optimal balance.
At Evexias Denver, we prefer BHRT pellets for hormone therapy, but we also take the time to understand your preferences. It’s not one-size-fits-all treatment!
Reduced Risk of Side Effects
Bioidentical hormones have a lower incidence of adverse reactions or side effects compared to synthetic hormones. But see below for possible side effects.
Improved Hormonal Balance
BHRT addresses a variety of conditions related to hormone imbalances. By replacing specific deficient hormones with bioidentical counterparts (instead of a standardized dose), BHRT can restore hormonal equilibrium more easily.
In women, for example, BHRT effectively mitigates menopause symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, and vaginal dryness. Similarly, in men, BHRT offers relief from andropause symptoms, including decreased libido, fatigue, and muscle loss.
BHRT can also help in managing symptoms associated with cancer treatment and has shown efficacy in treating and preventing conditions such as osteoporosis, adrenal fatigue, thyroid dysfunction, insulin resistance, and fibromyalgia.
Enhanced Vitality
Balanced hormones are essential for maintaining vitality, energy, and resilience as you age. BHRT supports overall wellbeing by promoting your unique hormonal balance. This leads to increased energy levels, improved mood stability, enhanced cognitive function, and an overall sense of wellbeing. Which leads to the next benefit of choosing bioidentical hormones…
Healthy Aging
BHRT offers a proactive approach to hormone management, supporting healthy aging and longevity. It may help mitigate the impact of age-related health concerns such as muscle loss, joint pain, skin aging, and decreased libido. By optimizing hormone levels, BHRT can help you maintain your health and independence well into your later years, allowing for a more active and fulfilling lifestyle.
Smooth Transition
Bioidentical hormones are a more natural and gradual approach to hormone replacement, which can help mitigate the risk of sudden hormonal fluctuations and associated side effects. Your body takes what it needs and uses it as it would its own hormones.
Your healthcare provider will monitor and adjust the dose of individual hormones in the formulation to suit your unique needs. And this means that when you choose bioidentical hormones you’re inviting a smoother transition to hormonal balance throughout the treatment process.
Greater Patient Satisfaction
Researchers have found that hormone replacement therapies containing bioidentical progesterone result in higher levels of patient satisfaction when compared to those containing synthetic progestins. This is due to the distinct physiological effects of bioidentical hormones, which in turn are due to their unique chemical structures. Bioidentical hormones interact with your body in a way that closely resembles your natural hormone pathways, as we said.
Potential Risks and Side Effects
While bioidentical hormones are generally considered safer and more tolerable than synthetic hormones, they may still carry some risks and side effects, including:
- breast tenderness
- bloating
- stomach cramps
- nausea
- headaches
- mood changes
Again, your healthcare provider will monitor you. And while these side effects can occur, they are often temporary and may diminish as your body adjusts to hormone therapy. However, if any side effects persist or worsen over time, contact your healthcare provider as soon as possible.
Embrace BHRT at Evexias Denver for a Vibrant Life!
In our exploration of choosing bioidentical hormones versus synthetic alternatives, we’ve seen how bioidentical ones prioritize your overall wellbeing by being immediately acceptable to your body. Why not come in and talk to our knowledgeable experts about how you can benefit from BHRT?