What is Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT)?
More and more women are becoming interested in Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) as an option for managing the transition of menopause. The term “bioidentical” means that the hormones used in the therapy are an exact chemical match to the ones that we produce in our bodies, so the estrogens, progesterone, and testosterone are chemically identical to our own. BHRT also uses plant sources for the hormones that are used. When we prescribe BHRT for a woman in menopause or perimenopause, we first obtain levels of her current hormones and then order a compound that is tailored to the woman’s needs, often including estrogens, progesterone, and testosterone. The prescription is filled by a compounding pharmacist who actually mixes the hormones as ordered using the plant based bioidentical hormones. We repeat levels after the woman has been using the therapy, and adjust the compound according to levels and the woman’s symptoms and feedback. (We don’t just treat the lab values.) Th
Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT), also called natural hormone replacement therapy, is the supplemental use of Bioidentical hormones (estrogen, progesterone and/or testosterone) to replace and balance one’s hormones to help relieve menopause, perimenopause or post menopause symptoms. Bioidentical hormones are exactly the same, identical hormones, molinecule per molecule that the body produces. They come from plant sources, but are still considered natural to the body because they are identical biologically to female hormones and so they help women rebalance hormone levels in a safe and natural way. Imbalanced hormone levels can become increasingly complex, because sometimes the level of a hormone is not as important as its ratio to the other hormones. This is why conversations with a healthcare practitioner will be about “balancing” hormones rather than merely increasing them. Conversely, synthetic hormone drugs do not mimic your body’s natural hormones. They mainly turn
