Topical creams or pellets? Daily or monthly dosage?
We go through the different forms of bioidentical hormone replacement therapy treatment so you can decide what’s best for you.
Have you come across bioidentical hormone replacement therapy treatment and wondered whether it could work for you?
If you’ve been reading about bioidentical hormone replacement therapy benefits, you’re probably looking for a solution to your hormonal imbalance.
You’re not alone.
Recent statistics have shown that an alarming number of women, up to 80% will experience a hormonal imbalance at some point in their lives.
That’s 4 out of 5 women…
A lot of hormone imbalances will resolve themselves naturally.
However, there is a growing number of women experiencing long term hormonal imbalance and struggling to find a solution.
If you’re someone living with symptoms like low energy, mood swings and weight gain, this article is for you.
Here’s what we’ll talk about:
- What symptoms can bioidentical hormone replacement therapy help with?
- Which treatment is right for you?
- How to support your bioidentical hormone replacement therapy treatment
But first, here’s a quick refresher on bioidentical hormone replacement therapy and how it works.
How Does Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy Work?
If you’re thinking, “what are bioidentical hormone replacement therapy hormones made from”?
Let’s break it down…
The treatment uses plant based, chemically identical hormones to those produced in our own bodies to replace the ones we need.
The benefits are life changing. Think more energy, better sleep and improved sexual experiences.
Even better, hormone formulations can be created for each individual’s treatment. This means your bioidentical hormone replacement therapy treatment is custom-compounded! With the exact hormones you need to rebalance your body.
This brings us to the next question. How do you know your hormones are out of balance?
What are the signs of a hormone imbalance?
Before you consider bioidentical hormone replacement therapy as the right solution, let’s ensure you will benefit from the treatment.
Do you suspect that your hormones are out of sync?
Here is a checklist of five common symptoms that point towards a hormonal imbalance:
✔ Low energy levels
This might be one of the first signs you notice indicating that bioidentical hormone replacement therapy could be right for you.
Have you been getting 8 hours or more of sleep per night?
Are you eating high protein, unprocessed meals at regular intervals?
If your lifestyle hasn’t changed but your energy levels have dropped off, this could be a sign of a hormonal imbalance.
✔ Weight gain
Weight gain typically goes hand in hand with menopause and insulin and thyroid hormone disorders. It’s usually a sign that your hormones are struggling in some way.
If you’ve been exercising regularly and eating well then it may be time to consider another explanation.
✔ Difficulty sleeping
Most people benefiting from bioidentical hormone replacement therapy have experienced poor quality sleep.
Fluctuating hormone levels can lead to irregular sleeping patterns and insomnia.
You may find yourself waking frequently and unable to hit that deep sleep cycle our bodies crave.
✔ Mood swings, anxiety and irritability
Have you noticed your mood changing more frequently?
Estrogen and progesterone play a large role in your emotional wellbeing. Which means changing hormones can often lead to anxiety, irritability and even depression.
If mood swings are out of character for you, consider that this may be due to a hormonal imbalance.
✔ Hot flashes
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy can also help reduce hot flashes and night sweats.
These symptoms often accompany women going through menopause due to a drop in estrogen levels.
If you are experiencing a combination of these symptoms, it’s a good idea to check in with a health professional.
Remember, these symptoms could also be the result of other health issues. That’s why Synergy will assess other labs in addition to your hormone levels before tailoring your treatment plan.
Who Shouldn’t Get Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy?
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy can be helpful for balancing your hormones.
However, this doesn’t mean it’s suitable for everyone.
Certain medical conditions might prevent you from undergoing bioidentical hormone replacement therapy.
If you have experienced or have a family history of one of the conditions listed, we may support you through alternative treatment:
- Breast cancer
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Blood clots
Another aspect to consider are the side effects associated with treatment.
While bioidentical hormone replacement therapy is generally considered safe, side effects occasionally occur. As a result of fluctuating hormones, you may experience:
- Headaches
- Mood swings
- Blurred vision
- Acne
- Fatigue
Which Treatment Is Right For You?
Now that you know that bioidentical hormone replacement therapy can make a difference for you, let’s talk about the treatment options. Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy can be administered in a number of ways including:
- Creams
- Patches and gels
- Pellets
- Injectables
- Rapid dissolve tablets
Want to know more about the different types of treatment available? You can read about the benefits and drawbacks of each treatment here.
If you have decided that bioidentical hormone replacement therapy is right for you, here are some considerations. Let’s go through our tips for deciding which treatment will work best with your lifestyle.
Topical vs. Internal
A number of bioidentical hormone replacement therapy treatments can be applied straight to your skin.
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy creams and gels can be easily applied after a shower. Over time, the hormones will be slowly absorbed into your system.
However, if you are often in close physical contact with other people or children, you might wish to consider other treatment forms. Hormone injections, pellets and tablets minimize any risk of transferring the hormones through touch.
Daily vs. Monthly
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy generally requires multiple treatment sessions.
Creams and tablets generally require daily upkeep at the same time each day. Gels, patches and hormone injections require a weekly application..
If daily or weekly treatment is a challenge, bioidentical hormone replacement therapy pellets might be an option for you. They are administered every 3-6 months, reducing the need for regular upkeep.
However, it is important to note that pellets, despite being low maintenance, are often associated with more extensive side effects.
Convenience of Treatment
Creams, gels and tablets are quick and easy to apply and completely painless.
Injections and pellets are slightly more invasive. Pellets must also be administered through a practitioner in a clinic as it requires a small incision and local anaesthetic.
Severity of Symptoms and Dosage
Creams and gels tend to hold lower doses. This means it may take several weeks for you to experience a change in symptoms.
Conversely, pellet therapy provides consistent release of hormones over time directly into your bloodstream.
Unfortunately, pellets also have a major downside – they cannot be removed once inserted. Should side effects occur, symptoms will persist until the pellet has run its course.
Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy Treatment Support
If you’ve been experiencing frustrating and challenging hormonal symptoms, bioidentical hormone replacement therapy could be the perfect solution.
It’s also a good idea to consider supporting your treatment in other ways. A healthy lifestyle will support bioidentical hormone replacement therapy treatment. But it will also help hormones stay in balance long term.
Here are some habits that will support your treatment:
- Getting at least 8 hours of sleep each night
- Minimizing processed foods and eating adequate protein
- Moving your body and exercising regularly
Okay, there’s a lot to take in here and you’ve probably got some questions.
If you’d like to talk about bioidentical hormone replacement therapy with an expert, we’re here for you. We can get to the bottom of your hormonal imbalance and come up with a tailored plan of action.
You can get started right away! Booking a consultation is the first step to reducing symptoms and feeling like yourself again!