What is Bioidentical Hormone Therapy (BHRT)

Bioidentical Hormone Therapy is a form of hormone therapy where we use hormone medications that are identical to the hormones found in our own bodies.

At age 35 our pituitary gland down regulates and our bodies begin to produce less hormones. Between the ages of 40 and 45, most women start experiencing symptoms of peri-menopause. These include fatigue, muscle loss, joint pains, exercise intolerance, weight gain, depression, brain fog, dry itchy skin, decreased libido, hair loss, and an increase in fine lines and wrinkles in their skin.

As hormones decline further one may experience vaginal irritation or dryness, heart palpitations, sleep disturbances, frequent UTIs or yeast infections, discomfort or pain with intercourse, significant mood swings, heavy periods, hot flashes, and night sweats.

As a woman moves into menopause, this decrease in estrogen can lead to osteoporosis and increases her chances of developing heart disease.

With modern medicine we are now living on average 20 years longer than we used to. Hormones play a significant role in keeping our tissues healthy and maintaining our vitality. They reduce bothersome and debilitating symptoms and support our overall health by preventing chronic disease.

  • Women have more testosterone in their bodies than they do estrogen or progesterone. This is one of the first hormones to decline. Symptoms of low testosterone include fatigue, muscle loss, exercise intolerance, decreased libido, joint pain, anxiety, and brain fog. Testosterone therapy can help to improve these symptoms.

  • Estrogen takes us on a wild roller coaster ride between the ages of 40 and 55. Average age of menopause is 51. Leading up to menopause, women experience peaks and valleys of estrogen. Low estrogen can cause depression, vaginal dryness, dry skin, brain fatigue, low libido, mood swings, hot flashes, and hair loss. Sharp increases in estrogen can cause heavy periods, mood swings, weight gain, and breast tenderness. Replacing Estrogen can reduce these symptoms and improve quality of life.

  • Progesterone is the “calming hormone”. When it is low, we experience anxiety, mood swings, and have difficulty sleeping (specifically trouble staying asleep or waking in the night), as well as night sweats. Low progesterone leaves estrogen unchecked allowing it to rise higher than normal which causes a thicker than normal endometrial lining which then results in severe cramping and heavy periods. Replacing progesterone can help with all of these symptoms. Progesterone also plays a significant role in brain health.