Understanding Bioidentical Hormones: Benefits, Risks, and Myths

Bioidentical hormones are artificial hormones made from natural ingredients. They imitate the hormones produced by our bodies chemically. 

These hormones are prescribed to people who are struggling with low or imbalanced hormone production. It can be in the form of pills, creams, injections, and patches to improve the production of hormones. 

We will try to understand the benefits and risks associated with bioidentical hormones in this article. We will also delve into the common misconceptions regarding bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. 

Benefits of Bioidentical Hormones

Our hormones control several vital functions of our body, such as our mood, libido, metabolism, and ability to reproduce. That is why it becomes really hard to function normally when there is a hormonal imbalance. Let’s discuss the benefits of Bioidentical Hormones.

• Improves The Quality of Your Sleep

Hormonal imbalance can put us off of our circadian rhythm. This results in poor sleep and bad mood. You can improve the quality of sleep, reduce restlessness during the sleep cycle, and fall asleep easily with bioidentical hormone replacement therapy.

• Increases Sex Drive

Postmenopausal women and women who struggle with low estrogen production experience low libido. The BHRT treatment improves sex drive and reduces pain during vaginal intercourse by promoting vaginal lubrication by restoring estrogen levels. For women seeking additional solutions, female libido medication can also be considered to enhance sexual health and well-being.

• Reduces Symptoms Of Menopause

Menopause is not easy on women. As the levels of progesterone and estrogen in the body drop, women start to experience symptoms like hot flashes, severe fatigue, and low sex drive. They also experience weight gain, mood swings, and poor sleep quality. 

Properly administered BHRT treatment can mitigate most of these symptoms. BHRT treatment can also help pregnant women and new mothers alleviate some of their symptoms caused by the pregnancy hormones.  

• Promotes Healthy Bones

Did you know that estrogen plays an important role in promoting healthy bone density? This is why postmenopausal women are at an increased risk of osteoporosis. 

BHRT treatment can improve bone density by restoring the levels of estrogen in the body. This also helps reduce joint pain.  

• Makes Your Hair And Nails Stronger

Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy can positively impact the quality and growth of hair and nails. Hormones like estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone play a vital role in keeping our hair, nails, and skin healthy. 

Risks of Bioidentical Hormones

There are several risks associated with bioidentical hormones. Let us check them out.  

• Increase The Risk of Gallbladder Disease

Hormones such as estrogen and progesterone help regulate the proper functioning of our gallbladder. 

The increase in the production of estrogen and progesterone caused by BHRT treatment can lead to gallbladder disease. It’s because it impacts our body’s ability to produce and store bile.  

• Can Trigger Weight Gain

Bioidentical hormone therapy can trigger weight gain in some women. This is because our body takes time to adjust to hormone therapy. 

However, with some lifestyle and diet changes, this issue can come under control. 

• Increase The Risk Of Blood Clots and Stroke

Evidence collected from several clinical trials on postmenopausal women on BHRT treatment indicates that the treatment increases the risk of stroke. 

However, the increased risk of blood clots and stroke was only seen in women who took BHRT pills. No evidence links BHRT creams, patches, or gels to an increased risk of stroke.  

• Increases The Risk Of Breast Cancer and Endometrial Cancer

The results of several clinical studies on the effects of Bioidentical hormone therapy suggest that BHRT can increase the risk of breast cancer and endometrial cancer.  

Common Myths Associated With Bioidentical Hormones

There are several misconceptions regarding the efficacy and efficiency of bioidentical hormones. In this section, we will discuss the most common myths associated with this treatment. 

• Women Don’t Require BHRT Postmenopausal

There is no age limit for bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. Any woman, whether they are young, old, postmenopausal, or perimenopausal, can benefit from bioidentical hormone therapy. 

This treatment is meant for everybody who is struggling with unbalanced estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone production. BHRT is extremely beneficial for women who are experiencing the symptoms of menopause, like hot flashes, poor sleep, lack of libido, etc. 

• You Shouldn’t Take Bioidentical Hormones For A Long Time

The duration of BHRT depends on the person. For example, a younger woman who has opted for a hysterectomy might need BHRT for longer than a woman who is using it to mitigate the symptoms of menopause.  

• The Effects of BHRT Aren’t Legitimate

Some people believe that bioidentical hormone therapy is based on pseudoscience. However, they are misinformed. 

Most of the pills, gels, creams, and patches used for this treatment are FDA-approved and are produced by approved pharmaceutical laboratories in America. BHRT is highly personalized with no fixed dosage, unlike traditional hormone replacement therapy.

• Natural Hormone Treatments Are Better Than BHRT

Natural hormone treatments are not regulated by the FDA. Also, there hasn’t been enough research conducted on their efficacy. There are decades worth of research conducted on the effects of bioidentical hormone therapy on the other hand.

• The Symptoms Of Menopause Do Not Need To Be Treated

This is a categorically false and harmful misconception that brings grief to a lot of women. The adverse symptoms of menopause can disrupt day-to-day life. It can even lead to depression and anxiety. BHRT treatment helps alleviate such symptoms and promotes overall well-being. 

• You Need A Thorough Medical Examination Before BHRT

You do not need a thorough medical examination to ensure your suitability for this treatment. You are required to get your blood work done and get your weight and blood pressure checked.  

• Calcium Supplements Are Better Than Bioidentical Hormones

While calcium and vitamin D deficiency can affect bone density in women, it has been clinically proven that low levels of estrogen put postmenopausal women at a higher risk of osteoporosis. That’s why eating a calcium-rich diet and getting BHRT can help improve bone density. 

Bioidentical hormones help maintain hormonal balance in our body as they are made from natural ingredients like plants and compounded hormones. This FDA-approved treatment is highly beneficial for women of all ages struggling with hormonal imbalance or deficiency.