As women age, their bodies naturally undergo various changes that can impact overall health and quality of life. Women often report disruptive symptoms such as insomnia, mood issues like anxiety and depression, pain, muscle loss, cognitive decline, hot flashes, heavy periods, and more, beginning in their 40s and 50s. Science shows that these symptoms are typically associated with hormonal changes, which can even begin as early as one’s 30s. While women may be told by their doctors that these symptoms are just a sign of “normal” aging, there are safe interventions available to help ease the suffering and improve daily life, one being hormonal therapeutic intervention. And yet, many women are not given this information and continue to deal with a number of uncomfortable and even very disruptive symptoms.
Over the last few decades, concerns have been raised about the therapeutic use of hormones, commonly known as hormonal replacement therapy (HRT). One source of these concerns was the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI), a study on hormone replacement led by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the 1990s. The study was halted due to concerns that women taking hormones were at higher risk for breast cancer, heart attacks, and stroke. These claims have largely been debunked, and hormones are now generally viewed as safe, supported by data from even the WHI, as well as subsequent studies. Keep reading to learn more about HRT, its benefits, and why you may be a good candidate for it.
Bioidentical Hormones: An alternative to synthetic forms
Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) offers a potential solution for managing the hormonal imbalances responsible for so many of the issues outlined above. While you may be familiar with HRT, which uses synthetic hormones that differ chemically from our body’s natural hormones, bioidentical hormones are structurally identical to those we produce, and are more commonly prescribed in functional medicine.
Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) uses plant-derived hormones that are identical to your body’s natural sex hormones.
- Natural Match: Hormones identical to estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone.
- Common Uses: Menopause and perimenopause symptoms.
- Personalized: Tailored to individual hormonal needs.
- Benefits: Boosts energy, stabilizes mood, enhances mental clarity, and helps manage weight.
Interested in discussing your hormonal health with a BHRT-educated provider? Contact Newbridge today at (612) 730-2237
Here are five signs that you might benefit from hormone replacement therapy:
1. Persistent Fatigue and Low Energy
Estrogen and progesterone play significant roles in energy production and sleep patterns. A decline in these hormones can disrupt your body’s ability to regenerate and maintain energy levels effectively, leading to:
- Constant Fatigue: Feeling drained even after a full night’s sleep.
- Low Energy: Difficulty sustaining energy levels throughout the day.
2. Mood Swings and Mental Fog
Hormones play a crucial role in regulating mood and cognitive functions. Fluctuating estrogen levels during perimenopause can result in irritability, anxiety, depression, and mental fog. If you notice changes in your mood or cognitive abilities, BHRT might help stabilize these effects. Signs may include:
- Mood Swings: Experiencing unpredictable changes in mood.
- Mental Fog: Struggling with concentration and reduced mental clarity.
- Emotional Challenges: Increased irritability, anxiety, and depression.
3. Changes in Weight and Muscle Mass
Hormonal imbalances can also affect your weight and muscle mass, and may indicate that your estrogen and testosterone levels are out of balance. For example, a decline in estrogen and testosterone can impact fat distribution and muscle strength. BHRT may be of interest to you if one or any of the following have become a problem:
- Weight Gain: Unexplained weight gain, especially around the abdomen.
- Muscle Loss: Decrease in muscle mass and trouble maintaining muscle tone.
4. Sleep Disturbances
Difficulty with sleep can be another sign of hormonal imbalance, and BHRT might help restore normal sleep patterns by addressing these imbalances. Women often report these symptoms:
- Insomnia: Trouble falling asleep or staying asleep throughout the night.
- Restless Sleep: Frequent awakenings or disturbed sleep.
5. Decreased Libido
A reduction in sexual desire or function can be linked to hormonal imbalances. Estrogen and testosterone play significant roles in regulating libido, and a drop in these hormones can lead to a diminished sex drive.
- Reduced Sex Drive: Noticeable decrease in sexual desire.
- Discomfort During Sex: Vaginal dryness may arise due to low estrogen levels in the vagina.
Ways to Take Bioidentical Hormones: Oral, Topical, and Injectable
Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) can be customized to suit individual needs through various formulations. These include oral tablets/capsules, topical applications, and injectables. Each type has its unique benefits and considerations, allowing for providers and patients to develop personalized treatment plans.
Oral Bioidentical Hormones
Oral bioidentical hormones are available in pill or capsule form. They can be easily incorporated into daily routines.
- Convenience: Oral hormones are simple to use, making them a popular choice for those who prefer a straightforward regimen.
- Metabolism: When taken orally, hormones pass through the digestive system and liver, which can affect their absorption and efficacy. This first-pass metabolism may require higher doses to achieve the desired effect.
- Common Uses: Oral forms are often used for progesterone replacement in women, helping to alleviate symptoms such as hot flashes, mood swings, and sleep disturbances.
- Note: Typically estrogen is not prescribed orally due to concerns of cardiovascular risk, including blood clots. Other safer, non-topical forms of estrogen are troches or sublingual drops which bypass the stomach and liver, and get delivered directly to the bloodstream.
Topical Bioidentical Hormones
Topical bioidentical hormones are applied directly to the skin in the form of creams, gels, or patches. This method allows for direct absorption into the bloodstream.
- Localized Application: Topical hormones provide a steady release into the bloodstream, bypassing the digestive system and reducing the risk of liver metabolism.
- Controlled Dosing: Dosages can be easily adjusted, offering a tailored approach to hormone therapy. Application sites should be rotated to prevent skin irritation.
- Common Uses: Topical forms are commonly used for estrogen and progesterone therapy in women. They are effective for managing symptoms such as vaginal dryness, hot flashes, and mood swings.
Injectable Bioidentical Hormones
Injectable bioidentical hormones are administered via intramuscular or subcutaneous injections. This method is primarily used for testosterone replacement therapy in men, but other hormones are sometimes administered this way too..
- Direct Delivery: Injections deliver hormones directly into the bloodstream, ensuring quick and effective absorption. This method provides consistent and predictable hormone levels.
- Infrequent Dosing: Injections are typically administered every few weeks, offering convenience for those who prefer less frequent dosing schedules.
- Common Uses: Injectable testosterone is used to treat symptoms of low testosterone in men, such as decreased libido, fatigue, muscle loss, and mood changes.
- Of note: women can benefit from this hormone, too! In particular, testosterone aids in bone health, cognitive function, and more typical symptoms associated with perimenopause/menopause like hot flashes, mood swings, and low libido. Simply put, it’s not just for men, and it’s gaining more widespread attention among women and their providers as an important factor in the hormone equation.
Discover if BHRT is Right for You
The symptoms described above are often mistakenly attributed solely to aging or mental health issues, but they can also signal hormonal imbalances. BHRT addresses one of the root causes of these issues, potentially helping you restore balance and improve your quality of life. And it can be especially beneficial when combined with healthy lifestyle measures and other health-supporting steps that your functional medicine provider can recommend based on your unique needs.
Ready to consult with a healthcare professional and explore if BHRT is suitable for you? Call (612) 730-2237 to discuss next steps. Don’t let hormonal changes negatively impact your life—create a plan with one of our functional medicine providers.
