How Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Fits Into Menopause

In the next few years there are going to be 25 million women in the United States turning 50. And unfortunately one of the things to look forward to will be menopause. While menopause is sort of like arthritis in the sense that it's never a fatal experience, it is definitely something that nobody truly looks forward to. It's not like it's trip to an amusement park or anything like that!

When it comes to symptoms, women are unique and experience a different variety and severity. They may include hot flashes, irregular menstrual periods, trouble sleeping and vaginal vault dryness. Multiple types of conventional FDA approved medications are available to help with these symptoms, and reduce long term health risks, like osteopenia, osteoporosis, and heart disease.

Since the symptoms and severity are so individualized, specific treatment should be undertaken with the guidance of a physician. The different hormone treatments that are often prescribed include the following:

1. Estrogen therapy by itself.

2. Estrogen plus progesterone therapy (EPT).

3. Hormone therapy (HT) - technically encompasses both 1 and 2

4. Custom compounded hormones - this includes bioidentical hormones.

With multiple options available, women need to weigh the risks and benefits of each in conjunction with a provider who deals with it on a regular basis. There is no one size fits all approach.

Bioidentical hormones are becoming more popular since they offer hormones in their completely natural state like the body, and not a synthetic variety such as in most conventional medications.

Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) utilizes hormones that are identical on a molecular level to those made by the human body and attempts to restore one's hormones to the levels that were achieved during the prime health of one's life. This would have been in one's twenties and thirties.

The hormones fit in exactly into the body's receptors, allowing the body to use them to the fullest. With conventional hormones that are synthetic, the issue is that the body may see them as foreign and end up not using them to their fullest extent. In addition, significant side effects may result.

Prior to prescribing bioidentical hormone regimens from a custom compounding pharmacy, doctors will perform blood work and a physical examination to understand the woman's baseline exactly. Because of this the approach is not a factory line situation and women will receive different levels of hormones in the compounding tailored to their specific needs.