What to Expect When Starting BHRT for Menopause

Improve Symptoms of Hormonal Imbalances

As we age, we begin to experience fatigue, hair loss, weight gain and low libido. Many attribute these symptoms, along with depression and difficulty sleeping, to getting older. Yet, these symptoms can often signify a hormonal imbalance.

Hormones play a significant role in regulating many body functions. They allow cells to effectively communicate with many body processes, coordination, digestion, mood, immunity, appetite and sexual function. For many women, the natural decline in hormones like estrogen can significantly affect their quality of life as these unwanted symptoms can affect overall health and mental well-being. If this sounds like you, it may be time to discuss beginning bioidentical hormone replacement therapy.

What is Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT)?

Natural hormones are chemicals made by the endocrine glands in your body. Bioidentical hormones mimic those produced by the endocrine glands of the human body. Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy uses processed, chemically identical hormones that come from plants.  Taking bioidentical hormones can help men and women who experience symptoms caused by low or unbalanced hormones. The medical providers at VIVAA recommend compounded bioidentical hormone therapy, as this form of hormone therapy is considered safe and effective.

Why Choose Pellet Therapy?

Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy contains none of the unsafe and harmful compounds you may have heard about, causing breast cancer and other severe issues. The medical professionals at VIVAA use BHRT pellet therapy using small, rice-sized pellets that we place under the skin, releasing a specific amount of hormones over several months. Pellet therapy is the only form of estrogen hormone therapy considered long-term as it maintains effectiveness 24 hours a day over several months. Most patients only need a few office visits annually to receive bioidentical hormone therapy in this manner. This hormone treatment can last ten times longer than patches, giving you peace of mind knowing you'll consistently receive the dosage you need to help correct hormone imbalances.

Moreover, pellet therapy contains compounded bioidentical hormones explicitly made for you. Unlike other hormone treatment plans, particularly those using synthetic hormones in oral and injectable medicines, they have several different side effects, including weight gain, mood swings, and general irritation, plus an increased risk of heart and liver problems.

The Pros and Cons of BHRT Therapy for Women

Most women experience fluctuating levels of hormones throughout their reproductive years during their monthly cycles. Pre-menopause occurs when hormone levels are relatively normal. A woman will typically experience regular cycles, although increasing numbers of younger women have begun to ovulate irregularly. This situation involves various factors such as exercise, poor, stress, and contraceptive use. Such factors, along with infertility and endometriosis, can lead to PMS symptoms. Severe PMS can be an early sign of hormone imbalances, but it's difficult to tell until a woman reaches perimenopause, which can start in her 30s.

When reaching perimenopause, women experience more irregular cycles as progesterone and estrogen levels drop and fluctuate. Once a woman has gone 12 months without having a period, she is in menopause. Hormone levels drop drastically at this time, with progesterone output becoming nonexistent. BHRT can be highly beneficial to women who suffer severe symptoms due to the lack of hormones produced by their bodies. As with all interventions, BHRT has benefits and risks. If you're considering custom hormone combinations, make sure you weigh the pros and cons.

Pros of Hormone Replacement Therapy BHRT

Compounded bioidentical hormones provide many benefits for perimenopausal and menopausal women suffering from hormonal imbalances. This therapy is an effective way to increase the quality of life as it can help with the following bioidentical hormone replacement therapy has many benefits! Professionals have proven that BHRT is an effective way to increase the quality of life and can offer symptom relief from the following problems:

• Weight gain
• Mood swings
• Vaginal dryness
• Hot flashes
• Night sweats
• Low energy levels
• Memory loss
• Difficulty sleeping
• Low libido

Hormone replacement therapy may also help to reduce your risk for tooth loss, diabetes, and cataracts and improve your skin’s thickness, hydration, and elasticity. A study also found that people with cancer who underwent bioidentical hormone replacement therapy received relief from some of the above symptoms, along with incontinence and migraines. Furthermore, a study in the Journal of Clinical Oncology also found that the breast cancer recurrence rate in test subjects was no higher than average.

Cons of Bioidentical Hormone Therapy

Compounded bioidentical hormones can cause some side effects, particularly right after you begin treatment, until your body adjusts to the increased hormone levels. Some side effects can include:

• Bloating
• Acne
• Headaches
• Increased facial hair
• Breast tenderness
• Weight gain
• Blurred vision
• Tiredness
• Breast tenderness
• Spotting
• Cramping

What to Expect During the BHRT Process

Before starting bioidentical hormone therapy to correct menopausal hormone imbalance, your provider should take a comprehensive health history to determine if this therapy is appropriate for you. During the first few months, your doctor should monitor you regularly to evaluate your response to hormone treatment. Any side effects should reduce and improve over time, but you should talk to your provider immediately if your hormone imbalance symptoms worsen.

The amount of time bioidentical hormones take to relieve symptoms vary with each individual. Some feel mild relief, while others with severe symptoms may need several months. Generally, you can expect that full relief will appear within three months. The length of time you undergo bioidentical hormone therapy depends on your individual needs. Some women only need bioidentical compounded hormones until their severe symptoms subside, while others require them indefinitely. Every compounded hormone treatment plan differs from person to person.

Improve Your Quality of Life with Compounded Bioidentical Hormones

The bottom line is simple. With a BHRT treatment plan, you don't have to continue to suffer from the effects of perimenopause or menopause, like unwanted weight gain, hot flashes and night sweats. If you want to relieve symptoms but are concerned about the impact of taking hormones, the staff at VIVAA can help. Contact our office today at 425-250-9999 to schedule your consultation.