Bioidentical hormone therapy has been a topic of discussion among many who want to improve their quality of life without adverse effects. Women experiencing signs of perimenopause or going through menopause are typically more inclined to consider the treatment.
You may find contradictory opinions from different people regarding biomedical hormones. Just like a coin has two sides to it, every hormone treatment will have positive and negative effects.
However, getting the right knowledge about them can reduce the risk of potential risks while enjoying the benefits of Bioidentical Hormones.
To help you make an intelligent choice, here are the ups and downs of bioidentical hormones.
What are Bioidentical Hormones?
Bioidentical hormones have undergone processing and are intended to resemble the hormones produced by your body’s glands.
When a person exhibits signs of low or imbalanced hormones, using bioidentical hormones can assist in bringing the balance back into the body. Hormones from plants are processed and used in bioidentical hormone treatment (BHRT).
Diosgenin is a plant steroid often used in the production of bioidentical hormones. Diosgenin is obtained from yams in the wild or soy. They are chemically converted in a laboratory to make their effects similar to natural hormones. The three bioidentical hormones that are most frequently utilized are estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone.
There are several ways to administer bioidentical hormones, including lotions, gels, patches, tablets, injections, and implanted pellets. Comparing the pellet type to various other possibilities reveals clear benefits.
The small implant constantly treats your symptoms with a steady, individualized hormone dosage. The ups and downs associated with alternative hormone administration techniques are eliminated. Since it provides long-lasting benefits with minimal effort on your side, it is also more practical.
The Positive Sides of Bioidentical Hormones
It has been demonstrated that bioidentical hormones can help men and women whose hormone levels fall as they age. The use of bioidentical hormone replacement therapy is a successful way to treat several uncomfortable symptoms that accompany menopause.
Restoring hormone levels to premenopausal levels protects women from negative health effects and enhances well-being. Additionally, according to several studies, the most reliable and successful method for preserving normal hormone levels is to use bioidentical hormones.
Studies have shown the following benefits of biomedical hormones.
Minimizes Signs of Aging
Some evidence shows that it can enhance skin thickness, hydration, and suppleness, hence minimizing wrinkles. By making your skin thicker and more elastic, bioidentical hormone replacement treatment can delay the effects of premature aging.
Moreover, bioidentical hormones could also treat various skin conditions. It could be beneficial if you have thin, delicate, dry, or itchy skin.
Relieves Effects of Cancer Therapy
Bioidentical hormone replacement prevents cancerous cells from proliferating because they cannot grow on natural hormones. Bioidentical hormones also help those experiencing side effects of cancer therapy, including headaches, reduced libido, and sleeplessness.
Lower Chances of Certain Diseases
Bioidentical hormone replacement treatment helps lower the incidence of cataracts, tooth loss, and diabetes. Several studies contend that a drop in hormone production might make you more susceptible to osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease.
Thus, it makes bioidentical hormones a better option to prevent them. Positive results for cardiovascular health include defense against arterial hardening, appropriate HDL cholesterol levels, and a decreased chance of blood clots.
Makes Your Sexual Experience Better
Dryness and soreness in the vagina during intercourse are common signs of aging and declining estrogen levels.
You can get embarrassed or decide to forego sexual intercourse as a result of this. To boost sex drive, greater vaginal lubrication is encouraged by hormone replacement therapy with a rise in estrogen levels.
Enhances Your Hair and Nail Strength
Hair loss and brittle nails are just two examples of the issues that can occur when your hormone levels go below normal. Hormones can also affect your bones and your teeth.
Thanks to bioidentical hormones, your body produces more proteins, such as collagen. It also improves the strength of your hair and nails and makes you seem younger.
Encourages Improved Sleep
Your sleep cycles might be severely disrupted when your hormone levels aren’t normal. A lack of sleep can also have an impact on your mood. You can stabilize the hormone levels with the use of bioidentical hormone replacement treatment, which encourages better sleep and mood improvement.
The Negative Side of Bioidentical Hormones
The side effects of bioidentical hormones usually occur right after the first dosage. The body may take some time to adjust to the high level of hormones, producing these symptoms in the meantime. Many negative symptoms subside as the body gets used to the new hormonal level. Occasionally, it could be necessary to adjust the dose.
The patient’s age and any other underlying medical conditions significantly impact the likelihood that bioidentical hormones will have adverse effects.
They may take up to three months to fully show the effect. Certain kinds of bioidentical hormones have received FDA approval in the United States.
However, bioidentical hormones have generated debate, and many of them are not FDA-approved. These non-approved bioidentical hormones are mostly compounded. They are prepared in laboratories for specific patient needs.
Moreover, some businesses produce and market bioidentical hormones without enforcing quality, safety, or purity requirements. This prompted healthcare groups to oppose promoting and using bioidentical hormones that have not received official approval.
Some negative aspects of bioidentical hormones are weight gain, distorted vision, acne, tiredness, breast sensitivity, growth of facial hair, headaches, bloating, cramping, spotting, and mood changes.
Who are the Prime Candidates for Bioidentical Hormones?
Although bioidentical hormones have several benefits, it is more suitable and produces better outcomes for certain people.
One of the essential conditions for the hormone is the health condition of the candidate. If you have certain disorders like stroke, breast cancer, heart disease, or problems with blood clotting, hormone therapy may not be helpful for you.
Moreover, if you have a history of any of these or are more likely to develop them, you shouldn’t consider it either. Age is also a crucial factor that determines the effectiveness of hormones.
Winding Up
Bioidentical hormones have shown numerous benefits for people with low hormone levels. However, it does come with certain side effects, which can either be managed or reduced through the right practices.