4 Facts About Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy

The human body uses hormones to regulate many of its natural processes. Growth, reproduction, and even your metabolism are all controlled by hormones. Unfortunately, people's bodies may not always produce enough of certain hormones. This becomes increasingly common as people age and their bodies go through menopause or other similar processes. Fortunately, hormone replacement therapy can be used to restore optimal hormone levels in the body.

Many people choose bioidentical hormone replacement therapy as their treatment of choice. BHRT utilizes hormones synthesized from plants, which are identical to those found in the human body. This stands in contrast to the synthetic hormones used for traditional forms of HRT. Here are some things you may want to know if you're considering trying bioidentical hormone replacement therapy:

1. It comes in many different forms.

In order to take advantage of bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, you must first introduce the supplemental hormones into your body. You can do this in many ways. BHRT comes in pill, patch, and suppository form. You can even find BHRT creams that are designed to be absorbed transdermally or through the mucous membranes.

2. It can be used to relieve the symptoms of menopause.

As women age, their bodies stop preparing for pregnancy each month. As a result, women cease menstruating and may experience symptoms related to menopause, such as hot flashes, mood swings, and vaginal dryness. BHRT can be used to alleviate these symptoms by elevating the body's estrogen levels. 

3. It can be used to treat low testosterone.

BHRT can be used to treat men as well as women. Men with low testosterone may struggle to gain muscle and maintain erections. They may also suffer from low libido. Bioidentical testosterone can be used to elevate men's testosterone levels naturally.

4. It may cause some side effects.

Many people choose bioidentical hormone replacement therapy because it is all-natural. However, BHRT is effective enough to cause changes within the body, which means it can also cause side effects. Many of these side effects are mild and do not trouble people enough to stop taking bioidentical hormone replacements. After starting a BHRT regimen, you may notice weight gain, acne, or changes in mood. You may also feel fatigued initially until your body adjusts. It's important to talk to your doctor about these side effects so they can monitor your progress. You may be able to mitigate side effects by trying different forms of bioidentical hormone replacement until you find one that works for your body.

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