Are There Side Effects From Bioidentical Hormones?

You may be concerned with losing weight safely and effectively, and in keeping it off. This is what brought you here in the first place, most likely. One of the main concerns and questions when it comes to using bioidentical hormones for weight loss is, "are there side effects from bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT)?"

The answer to that is - yes and no - because of what side effects actually are. There are desirable effects, and then undesirable effects.

Desirable side effects are what happens when you take a certain medication or therapy - it's what you want to happen. The desirable effect of BHRT is weight loss. Undesirable effects are things that you don't want or even can't tolerate when taking a medication or hormone therapy.

Fortunately, there are few side effects that patients find undesirable with BHRT. Why? Because bioidentical hormones match what is already supposed to be in your body, but your body has neglected to produce. The word "bioidentical" explains it - it is a perfect match because it is not synthetic, nor does it come from a non-human source.

When patients are not properly monitored, and are given too much of a hormone they don't need, then they will typically experience undesirable effects. This is simply fixed by lowering the dosage administered to the patient. Once the body is back in balance, the extra weight is shed, and the patient feels better than they have in a long time.

With a physician monitored weight loss program done properly, the patient is monitored properly from the start, and the following can be accomplished:
• Electrolytes and hormones are measured for accuracy of dosing
• Potential adverse effects are reduced, minimized, and eliminated
• Recurring, proper visits help take off weight, and keep it off

There have not yet been enough tests on the general population to generate a "list" of potential side effects. In the office, the individual patient is treated and monitored carefully to minimize possible risks. Because you're monitored by a certified Naturopathic Doctor, any undesirable effects you experience (if you do at all, that is), will be treated immediately, either by lowering the dosage you receive, or changing the way the BHRT is administered (scheduling treatment in different intervals, for example).

Remember, over-the-counter supplements, and BHRT, are completely different entities. Supplements that claim to help you with weight loss and bioidentical hormones are not likely to be effective, because they are not often formulated correctly. Additionally, you could be taking too much or too little and wouldn't know it because you're not being monitored by a qualified therapist.

If you want to begin bioidentical hormones for weight loss, you should do so under the supervision of an experienced Naturopathic physician. Naturopathic doctors use BHRT that have been properly compounded (put together), in the correct amounts, and are properly purified for use by your body.