If you’re considering getting bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) in Fort Lauderdale, you’re probably well aware of the pros, but what about the cons? Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy is a big decision, after all—it can change your life in many ways.
First and foremost, bioidentical hormones are (chemically) the same as hormones naturally produced by the human body–as opposed to “traditional” hormone therapy, in which the hormones may or may not be the same as those produced by your body.
This means that they may be more stable and effective, and they may last longer than traditional hormones. Bioidentical hormones are a great way to help women with post-menopause symptoms, but just as with any Hormone Replacement Therapy, there are some drawbacks as well. Here is what you need to know about bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT Pros and Cons) and how it can help you reduce your menopause and post-menopause symptoms:
What is Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy?
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy is a medical treatment for menopause and andropause that uses estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone to replicate the natural hormones in your body. Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy is a way of treating menopause symptoms with hormone levels that are chemically identical to those your body produces naturally. This type of hormone therapy is used to treat menopausal symptoms in women who do not want to go through the invasive surgical procedures often associated with hormone replacement therapy. It can also be used to treat some infertility problems in women and men, as well as some other conditions related to hormone imbalance.
The goal of BHRT is to relieve symptoms of a hormone imbalance caused by aging or menopause. This can include hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness and pain during sex, low libido, fatigue, moodiness, weight gain around the waistline, joint pain or stiffness, irritability or depression.
HRT has its risks and benefits. The benefits of HRT include relief from symptoms associated with menopause and low testosterone levels. These include hot flashes (night sweats), vaginal dryness and pain during sex (dyspareunia), low libido (decreased interest in sex), fatigue (feeling tired all the time), weight gain around the waistline (central obesity), joint pain or stiffness (osteoarthritis), irritability or depression (mood swings).
Typically, these side effects include heart disease, stroke and breast cancer in women; prostate cancer in men; gallbladder disease; osteoporosis; blood clots; high blood pressure; liver tumours and liver damage; increased risk of uterine cancer in women who have had their uterus removed due to disease or surgery (hysterectomy); vaginal bleeding after menopause; abnormal uterine bleeding before menopause; headache or migraine headaches during or after menopause; acne breakouts during perimenopause or postmenopause.
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The Pros Of Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy
Bioidentical hormones are a type of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) that are prescribed by your doctor to treat symptoms associated with menopause and andropause, such as hot flashes, mood swings, vaginal dryness, osteoporosis, and low libido.
There are many pros to getting bioidentical hormones in Fort Lauderdale:
- Bioidentical hormones are safer than conventional HRT because they contain only natural ingredients that are derived from plants or animals. Conventional HRTs are made from synthetic conventional hormones that have been altered in a lab and can cause serious side effects.
- Bioidentical hormones provide relief for menopausal symptoms without increasing the risk for breast cancer or heart disease like conventional HRT does.
- Bioidentical hormones produced are effective at treating menopausal symptoms without causing weight gain or slowing down your metabolism as many other types of HRT do.
- They’re easy on your wallet. Bioidentical hormone therapy typically costs less than conventional HRT because you don’t need to take as much medication each month since it’s made from natural ingredients rather than synthetic ones (which means there’s no need for expensive packaging).
- The treatment is customized for your body. Bioidentical hormones are custom-made for each person, which means they are more effective than synthetic forms of hormones.
- You will experience increased energy levels and clearer thinking processes with bioidentical hormone therapy.
- Restoring energy levels and sex drive. Bio-identical use hormones can help improve both these situations without causing any unwanted side effects like those caused by synthetic versions.
- You may also opt to get injections or creams instead of pills, which is a good thing.
- Creams provide an alternative solution for women who are uncomfortable with needles or don’t want to take oral hormones at all.
- Bioidentical hormones can last longer than you expect. When you use bioidentical hormones, you can expect to experience more than just benefits in the short term. Because these types of hormones are tailor-made for your body and its needs, they’re absorbed more quickly than medications that have been created using synthetic ingredients.
The Cons Of Bioidentical Hormone Therapy
It’s important to remember that bioidentical hormone therapy is not right for everyone. If you have questions about whether bioidentical hormone therapy is right for you, talk to your doctor or head in to see Dr. Faride Ramos. Side effects are rare, and most of the time, they’re temporary. Your symptoms will likely go away within three months to a year after you start hormone therapy. If side effects do occur, there are ways to manage them and/or avoid them altogether.
Some of the cons of BHRT include:
- One of the biggest problems is that there are no long-term studies to prove whether or not BHRT is safe. It’s also difficult to determine what the optimal dose should be and what side effects might occur. For example, some people have reported experiencing mood swings, depression, and acne while taking BHRT. Other common side effects include changes in sex drive and an increase in body fat.
- The cost can be prohibitive for some people. While there are many different options for getting BHRT in Fort Lauderdale, the cost can vary drastically from provider to provider. This means that you may have to shop around before deciding which provider is right for your needs. If you are considering BHRT, please get in touch with us. We’d be happy to discuss all of your options.
- Bioidentical hormones aren’t always covered by insurance, so even if they’re affordable through your provider, they may not be affordable when factoring in your insurance premiums.
- While bioidentical hormone treatments are often thought of as safer than synthetic versions of estrogen and progesterone, this isn’t always true. Some studies have shown that some bioidentical compounds can cause cancer or other health problems such as cardiovascular disease, liver damage and liver cancer.
- The downside of taking bioidentical hormones is that they’re not for everyone. While some people can use them to successfully balance their hormones, others won’t experience the same benefits. Some patients may also find that after a few months on estrogen and progesterone, their symptoms return. Bioidentical hormones don’t work for everyone and aren’t always a guarantee of success. But when they do work, they can be a game-changer for your health and well-being.
- The risk of blood clots is increased with BHRT. Women who have taken estrogen alone have an increased risk of developing blood clots in their veins, especially during the first year after starting treatment. Women who take estradiol and progesterone together may have an even higher risk than those who take estrogen alone; however, this increased risk has not been observed in clinical trials.
- Bioidentical hormone therapy can increase your risk for endometrial cancer by about 50%. This is another serious concern but one that can be addressed with regular monitoring and proper follow-up care from your doctor.
- You can get skin irritation with BHRT. Skin irritation is a common side effect of BHRT. If you’re using creams, gels, or patches to get bioidentical hormones into your body, this will be the case. If you take them as pills, there may also be skin irritation. This can be severe or mild; it can go away after a few days or last for longer than that. It depends on how sensitive your skin is and how the product was applied to your body (which parts of your body were affected).
Finding A Doctor You Can Trust
When you’re looking for a doctor to help you with bioidentical hormones replacement therapy, research is key. Make sure the doctor has experience with bioidentical hormones and is board certified in endocrinology. You should also find a doctor who specializes in women’s health if possible. Ask as many questions as you feel comfortable with. No question is off the table when it comes to your health. Dr. Faride Ramos will always answer every question honestly and openly to put you at ease.
If a doctor seems hesitant or uncomfortable answering your questions, keep looking. A good general rule of thumb is that when it comes to something as personal as hormone therapy, always trust your gut instinct. If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. When looking for a doctor you can trust in Fort Lauderdale, please get in touch!
