Bio identical hormone replacement therapy is increasingly used and growing to be the “drug of choice” by women all over the nation. Physicians are beginning to listen to their patients concerns and complaints of their poor quality of life with hormone deficiency. Furthermore, women are recognizing the dangers of using some of the synthetic hormones that show an increase risk of certain disease types such as heart attaches, strokes, blood clots and breast cancer.

Women are researching for themselves to find out what could be more “natural” solutions to their hormone deficiency. Bio identical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) is found easy via internet, books written by knowledgeable BHRT physicians, TV host shows such as, Oprah, and Dr. Phil. However, Suzanne Somers through her books, lectures and TV appearances on talk shows was the first well known public icon for BHRT. Physicians talk about how their women patients would bring in Suzanne Somers’ book highlighted and showing the doctor, “this is what I have”. So yes, physicians are beginning to listen to their patient’s wants and needs.    Let’s talk about what BHRT is? BHRT is derived from a yam or soy plant. The finished product of BHRT has the exact chemical structure as what your body produces. You have many receptor sites in all of your major organs, all over your body that need to work correctly to tell your body what to do. When there are not sufficient amounts of hormone these receptors do not communicate properly to tell the body what needs to be done.

What symptoms are relieved by estradiol when given? BHRT estradiol has been used to treat migraine and menstrual headaches. It has also been shown to help with vaginal dryness, incontinence, urinary urgency and frequency. What about testosterone? In both men and women, testosterone has been shown to increase energy, relieve depression, increase sense of wellbeing, relieve anxiety and improve memory and concentration.

Testosterone, given in certain methods has shown an increase in lean body mass (muscle strength, bone density) and it decreases fat mass. Men and women need adequate levels of testosterone for optimal mental and physical health and for the prevention of chronic illnesses like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease, osteoporosis and fibromyalgia, which are associated with low testosterone levels.

There are 3 main ways to deliver hormones to the body and some work better in the relief of certain symptoms. First you have Transdermal Creams or gels this would be applied to the upper thigh area and or the inner arm area twice a day; cost should be around $40 to $55 a month depending on strength and ingredients. Second, sublingual drops or troches go under the tongue and would be taken twice a day. Sometimes sublingual is considered to be a little bitter in taste. The cost is about the same $40 to $55 a month. Both of these combinations can be self-administered by the patient. Adjustments are often needed with these delivery systems. The last one is subcutaneous pellet therapy; this one is done in a trained physician’s office and should take about 10 minutes for the simple procedure. It will slowly deliver the correct amount of hormone over the next 4 to 6 months and the patient doesn’t do anything daily with this method, unless she has her uterus intact and then she would need to take a small amount of progesterone for protection of the uterus. Cost of progesterone is about $32 to $49 depending on dosage. Cost of the pellets with office visit is about $300 for a 4 to 6 month period of time. Check into compounding pharmacies and ask what doctors they know that are familiar with BHRT use and make an appointment for a consult. You can look up Bio identical hormone doctors in your area to find out more about this therapy that can change your quality of life and give you symptom free days again.

Women across the nation suffer from hormone deficiency and don’t even know it. Around the ages of 45 to 55 — give or take five years — ladies will enter into menopause naturally. If a total hysterectomy or an oophorectomy is completed on a woman, she has been thrown into a surgical menopause no matter what the age. Once menopause takes place, you will see that vasomotor symptoms will begin to creep in.

Menopausal symptoms can cause a diminishing quality of life.  These following symptoms could possibly be associated with hormone deficiency:

Hot flashes          Weight gain

Night sweats       Moodiness

Fatigue                Vaginal dryness

No libido            Short term memory loss

With symptoms such as these mentioned above, the body no longer functions as it should.  Leaving the body in that state of hormone deficiency can cause an increased risk of other disease states as well … to mention just one, a broken hip due to osteoporosis. In one medical study “BHRT demonstrated a four-fold increase in bone density over oral estrogen and (was) 2.5 times greater than patches.  With the use of HRT pellet therapy there was an 8.3 percent per year increase.” (Studd. JWW, et al (1990) American Journal OB/GYN 163, 1474-1479)

Hormone replacement therapy has many great benefits, but there are risks involved with many of the hormone replacements that are on the market and offered today.

Bio-identical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) is the same exact chemical structure that the body produces. When a health care provider prescribes BHRT in the correct doses, draws hormones levels to monitor and maintain proper physiological hormone levels and last but not least gives the hormone in the proper vehicle which will deliver the hormone with the least side effects and best benefits, it is probable that menopausal symptoms will disappear and quality of life will return.

There are well over a million women who have received great benefits from the use of BHRT pellets across the nation. BHRT pellets are about the size of a grain of rice. One to three pellets are placed under the skin in the upper hip area. The procedure takes about five minutes. A local anesthetic is given to deaden the area. Pellets will slowly dissolve in the body and will last between three to six months depending on activity of the individual. Pellets have been used in the United States since 1939. Pellet therapy can help in the relief of menopausal symptoms.  There are well over a million women who have received great benefits from the use of BHRT pellets across the nation.

Look to see if there is a “Free” bio-identical hormone replacement seminar in your area to find out more about hormone replacement.

Many compounding pharmacies have someone who specializes in hormone replacement as well and who can help direct you to a physician in your area who can also help you.

Bio-identical hormones are used by millions of women and men across the nation. Bio-identical hormones are the same chemical structure that your own body produces. As we age, our hormone production slows down by over 60% therefore causing many symptoms during the menopause and andropause phase. This age is typically around 40 to 55 years old. Sometimes you will see younger and even older then this average age that is given.

 For many women the symptoms are unbearable during menopause.  The most common complaints for menopause are: hot flashes and night sweats, mental fogginess or short term memory loss, low libido, loss of energy, weight gain and bone loss. For men during andropause they experience the following symptoms: muscle loss, fatigue, foggy thinking, and loss of erections, low libido, and loss of male drive to complete things.  For both men and women this can be detrimental to job performance and could lead to loss of job or job promotion. This could lead to marital problems on both sides female and male.

In today’s society men and women both are taking their health into their own hands and finding out more about bio-identical hormone replacement. The research is plentiful on the internet and even though there are controversial views about hormone replacement therapy in general, there is enough information sharing about the great benefits of hormone replacement. Bio-identical hormone replacement is a fast growing fad of the “baby boomers” generation.  If their physician doesn’t know much about the bio-identical replacement they will find someone that does. They want this wonderful solution to become the personal answer they have been looking for. To achieve a higher quality of life again is second to none.

The cost is very affordable, and when you compare the quality of life and lower risk factors for certain disease states that will be achieved with the use of bio-identical hormones, it is well worth the small monthly investment, of less than $100 (average cost/month).

 Estradiol is the most potent of the estrogens found in the body, and the most predominant estrogen produced by the ovary prior to menopause. Estradiol is responsible for over 400 functions in the body. In men, the hormone inhibits growth of cells in the prostate gland. In women, estradiol replaces deficient natural levels of estrogen in the body. Estradiol slows the breakdown of bones and is prescribed to women that do not produce enough estradiol. Estradiol may be very effective for the symptomatic relief of hot flashes, night sweats, headaches, dry skin, dry eyes, brittle hair, osteoporosis, psychological well-being and reduction of coronary artery disease. Estradiol may be used to lower high cholesterol in women who have gone through menopause. It may be used vaginally as a cream to treat irritation and itching in the vagina caused by menopause

Testosterone is the sex hormone for both male and female, and has many great benefits. Not only does it create a wonderful libido for both male and female when at optimal levels, it can help the body protect and build healthier bones and muscle and create a better energy level to accomplish daily activities.

Progesterone has many good benefits as well as estradiol and testosterone. Progesterone can help with depression, sleeping at night, and bringing a hormonal balance to the female body. It provides protective measures in the uterus while given alongside estradiol replacement. Progesterone has been used for many decades by millions of women to maintain a pregnancy full term.

When making a decision if bio-identical hormone is something that could benefit you personally, give due diligence and research or go to a free seminar in your area. Perhaps a compounding pharmacy could provide a free consult for you and give you the information you need to get started.