The pros and cons of creams, patches and pellets and why BHRT could be right for you.
Irregular periods, hot flashes and difficulty sleeping at night.
Sound familiar?
If you’re going through perimenopause or menopause, you may be looking for a way to relieve your discomfort.
Menopausal symptoms are no joke…
You’ve probably had a lot of suggestions thrown your way. To exercise more, drink less coffee or try hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
But what about bioidentical hormone replacement therapy or BHRT?
BHRT hormone replacement therapy probably wasn’t on your menopausal bingo card. Most women don’t expect menopause to be so challenging. Both physically and emotionally.
Here’s the good news though.
BHRT treatment is becoming more widely available. It also has a fantastic track record for reducing hormonal imbalance symptoms including those brought on by menopause and adrenal and thyroid disorders.
Here are the three main topics this article will cover:
- The benefits of BHRT therapy
- The different types of BHRT treatment available
- Which treatment form is right for you
Let’s get to it!
What Exactly Is BHRT?
Before we dive into the different types of BHRT, here’s a high school biology class recap.
Every day, our bodies produce hormones including estrogen, progesterone and testosterone. These hormones are crucial for growth, repair and bodily functions.
Adrenal and thyroid disorders as well as menopause can disrupt our hormone levels. This can lead to a hormonal imbalance.
Symptoms of a hormonal imbalance include:
- Fatigue
- Weight gain (read our deep dive into overcoming menopausal weight gain here)
- Mood changes
- Loss of libido
- Vaginal dryness
- Night sweats
BHRT hormones are plant based.
They’re also chemically identical hormones to the ones our bodies naturally produce. Most importantly, they help to reduce all the symptoms above.
But Is It Different From Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)?
The short answer is yes.
HRT are synthetic hormones used to alleviate symptoms but BHRT has basically taken this to the next level.
BHRT hormones are custom-compounded which means they can be tailored to suit individual needs.
Although HRT has been around for longer, BHRT patients have reported fewer side effects.
What Are the Different Types of BHRT?
BHRT comes in different forms making it a flexible treatment option. Let’s go through them now:
#1 Transdermal Creams
Benefits ➜ If you enjoy your skincare routine, this may be a good option for you!
BHRT creams are easy to apply for those requiring a lower dosage. They bypass the GI tract which ensures maximum and fast absorption.
You can increase or decrease the dosage easily by applying more or less cream to your skin and choose different application sites on your body.
You can also combine multiple hormones in one cream!
Drawbacks ➜ Creams can be washed off, so avoid getting your skin wet after application. Avoid touching others as creams can also be transferred upon contact.
Creams work best when taken consistently at the same time each day. If you are someone who only takes their supplements ‘when you see them’, this may not be for you.
#2 Transdermal Patches or Gel
Benefits ➜ BHRT patches and gels are convenient to apply and can be monitored with saliva, urine or serum.
If you consider yourself to be fairly low maintenance and prefer less fuss, patches could work for you! They can be worn underneath clothing and are waterproof. Re-application is required once a week.
Drawbacks ➜ BHRT patches and gels can only hold single hormone formulations. Some people may also have an allergic reaction to the patch material.
#3 Rapid Dissolve Tablets
Benefits ➜ If you have a daily supplement routine, adding a tablet or troche to your lineup might be the way to go.
Hormones can be combined and tablets and troches usually dissolve in the mouth.
Drawbacks ➜ Tablets and troches are subject to the first pass effect and estrogen tablets and troches may increase the risk of blood clots.
#4 Hormone Pellets
Benefits ➜ BHRT pellets may be an option for those of you who don’t want the daily or weekly upkeep that comes along with creams, patches and tablets.
Pellets are inserted into the hip or stomach via syringe or incision and last 3-6 months.
There is no risk of exposure to others, doses vary and levels can be monitored via saliva, serum or urine.
Drawbacks ➜ Despite releasing hormones over an extended period of time, pellets are often associated with more side effects than other BHRT forms.
Additionally, pellets are unable to be removed once inserted resulting in two major consequences. Firstly, side effects that appear will persist. Secondly, the dosage cannot be changed if it is found to be unsuitable.
The procedure, although small, is invasive and carries a small risk of infection. Local anaesthetic is required and the procedure is usually more costly than other forms of BHRT.
#5 Injectables
Benefits ➜ Estrogen and progesterone are both available as injectables. Injections are considered to be a highly effective treatment method as they allow the greatest control over dosage.
Hormones are injected straight into the bloodstream which ensures quick delivery with no wastage. Injections are usually administered about once a week, depending on your protocol.
Drawbacks ➜ If you’re not a fan of needles, it may be best to avoid BHRT injectables. Patients also report feeling a high post injection but can hit a low before their next treatment. Creating an injection schedule that minimizes hormone fluctuations is important here.
Which Form of BHRT is Right for You?
Okay, now that you’re familiar with the many forms of BHRT, you’ve probably got an idea of which treatments could work for you.
Here are a couple of things to keep in mind:
- How severe are your symptoms?
- Which dosing method is most convenient for you?
- Do you have any medical conditions that may impact treatment?
There’s a lot that goes into selecting the right treatment. If you need further guidance on choosing a treatment that fits your lifestyle, check out our article here.
Is There a Clinic for BHRT Near Me?
If you’re experiencing hormonal discomfort, BHRT treatment can help ease your symptoms and discomfort. You’ll go back to feeling energized during the day and sleeping through the night!
Synergy provides integrative BHRT treatment, because we want to support your hormones in every way possible.
Our practitioners at our Oak Park clinic will:
- Take the time to understand your symptoms and what is causing you discomfort
- Guide you through a treatment plan that includes nutritional counseling and health coaching – everything you need to support your hormonal health LONG TERM!
Want to say goodbye to the symptoms holding you back from living your best life? Get started with a 15-minute FREE health discovery call now!