Bioidentical Hormones

Have you ever wondered if there’s a way to manage your menopause symptoms or fix a hormone imbalance without exposing yourself to the risks associated with hormone therapy? Learn how bioidentical hormone therapy might be the solution.

Hormone replacement therapy can be problematic for some women. The risk for side effects is very low, but some complications can occur in women who have a history of blood clots and estrogen-dependent cancer.

However, there’s a superior alternative to synthetic hormones, one that lowers the risk for side effects and complications even further: bioidentical hormones.

Bioidentical hormones are plant-based molecules that are identical to human hormones. They’re easier to absorb than synthetic hormones and cause fewer side effects.

Read on as our experts at The Ashford Center further explain how bioidentical hormones are made, how they’re used, and who can benefit from them.

The source of bioidentical hormones

It’s no secret that humans all over the world have been using plants as medicine for thousands of years, but did you know that soy and yams contain chemicals that, once processed, can transform into hormones that are identical to the ones secreted by your endocrine system?

Soy and yams contain phytoestrogens. These are weak estrogens that act like plant-defense mechanisms. Plants use them as a defense to interfere with the reproduction of herbivores, so herbivores don’t reproduce too much and consume all plants.

In a lab, these phytoestrogens can be refined and made into estrogens that resemble the estrogen in the human body.

How we administer bioidentical hormones

Like with any other type of hormone therapy, you can opt for creams, patches, pills, or even injections.

When receiving a prescription for bioidentical hormones, you’ll also get a custom dose based on your lab tests. This reduces the risk of taking too much or too little of a hormone.

What bioidentical hormones can be used for

Much like conventional hormone therapy, bioidentical hormones can ease the symptoms of menopause and increase hormones in women who suffer from hormone imbalances. Bioidentical hormone therapy can be used for the following:

Hot flashes
Night sweats
Vaginal dryness
Weight gain
Thinning hair
Dry and dull skin
Mood swings

In addition, women who suffer from irregular periods and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), a condition characterized by too many androgens and lower estrogen levels, may also benefit from bioidentical hormones.

Find out if you’re a good candidate for bioidentical hormone therapy

Bioidentical hormone therapy isn’t without risks, but it can be a superior alternative to synthetic hormones. Contact us to schedule an appointment to find out if bioidentical hormones could be the solution to your problems.