If you are considering bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) in Vancouver, but are still in the research stages, this article will provide you the education you need to make an informed decision about the treatment.
Touted as the natural way to replace depleting hormones, bioidentical hormones (also called human identical hormones) have the same molecular structure as your own natural hormones. Also, your body responds to them the same way as it would with your own natural hormones.
Bioidentical hormones are made from ingredients like yams and soy and have been around for more than 20 years. Because bioidentical hormones are a perfect fit with your natural-made hormones, your body will completely utilize the hormones without the side effects that are experienced with non-bioidentical, or synthetic hormones.
How safe are bioidentical hormones?
Hormone imbalances can not only cause menopause symptoms such as hot flashes, insomnia, cognitive problems, depression and anxiety but can increase the risks for stroke, heart attack and even breast cancer. Short term studies of bioidentical hormones have shown to reduce these risks.
Bioidentical progesterone augments the good cholesterol (HDL) effects while synthetic progestin does the opposite, reducing HDL and putting you at greater risk for cardiovascular disease. Bioidentical progesterone helps sleep more and has less clotting risk than synthetic progestin.
Bioidentical estrogens like estriol and estradiol can be absorbed through the skin. These have less blood clot risk than oral estrogens like horse or conjugated estrogens.
What about the women’s health initiative warning us of the dangers of HRT?
That study was done on synthetic hormones not on bioidentical hormones. It was based on synthetic progesterone and an estrogen, Premarin, made from horse urine.
More recent research (2013) re-analyzed the data from the WHI study and found the risks were in older, sicker women and does not apply to younger women within 10 years of menopause.
The Anti-Aging Medical and Laser Clinic‘s Dr. Gidon Frame, a NAMS Certified Menopause Practitioner (NCMP), feels that once a patient has had a thorough health and hormone assessment, Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy can be safe for many women between the ages of 40-59. Ideally women should use the lowest dose and the right type of hormones for the biggest benefit and least risk.
Dr. Frame explains what menopause is and why you feel so out of control.
Dr. Gidon Frame returns from the NAMS Conference in Dallas with the latest news on bioidentical hormones as alternatives to HRT for women in Menopause.
