As we age, our bodies undergo various hormonal changes, leading to a range of uncomfortable symptoms, such as hot flashes, night sweats, low libido, mood swings, and fatigue. However, bio-identical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) is a safe and effective solution that can help alleviate these symptoms and improve the overall quality of life.
Unlike “synthetic hormone” therapy, which uses chemically altered hormones, BHRT uses hormones that are identical to those naturally produced by the human body. This means that BHRT is better tolerated and has fewer side effects than synthetic hormone therapy.
What have we learned about synthetic hormones over these past 3 decades? The Women's
Health Initiative (WHI) study was a federally sponsored large-scale clinical trial initiated in
1991 to investigate the effects of hormone replacement therapy on postmenopausal women. Sponsored by the NIH, the study involved over 160,000 participants and included both synthetic estrogen-only and synthetic estrogen + progestin hormone therapy arms.
Their initial findings, released in 2002, showed improvement in short-term symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes and mood swings, as well as vaginal dryness, dry skin, sleeplessness, and irritable bladder symptoms. However, the study also reported an increased risk of breast cancer, stroke, and blood clots in women receiving synthetic estrogen + progestin therapy, which led to a significant decrease in the use of hormone therapy in the years following the study. However, the study has been criticized for its flaws, including the fact that the participants were much older women with a high prevalence of preexisting medical conditions, and that the synthetic hormones used in the study were not biologically similar to human hormones at all. Additionally, the study did not comparatively investigate the use of bioidentical hormone therapy, which has a different safety profile than synthetic hormone therapy. Despite its flaws, the WHI study has had a significant negative impact on the use of hormone replacement therapy and highlights the importance of ongoing research to better understand the risks and benefits of hormone therapy.
Since 2002, BHRT has been shown to improve a wide range of symptoms related to aging and hormonal declines, such as hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, low libido, erectile issues, vaginal dryness, and fatigue. Additionally, BHRT can help reduce the risk of osteoporosis, heart disease, and cognitive decline in both men and women as they age.
Many men and women may experience symptoms that indicate hormonal imbalances, including fatigue, mood swings, erectile issues, weight gain, muscle loss, reduced sex drive, and reduced cognitive function. These symptoms affect the quality of life and how we live as we age and are caused by a decline in hormones like testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone levels. Men may experience a decline in testosterone levels, while women may experience a decline in estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone levels.
Both andropause and menopause are significant life events that mark the decline of reproductive hormones in men and women, respectively. Andropause, also known as male menopause, occurs as men age and experience a gradual decline in testosterone levels, leading to symptoms such as decreased energy, muscle mass, and sex drive.
Menopausal women experience a decline in estrogen and progesterone levels, which leads to symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, mood changes, vaginal dryness, and decreased sex drive. BHRT is an excellent answer for men with andropause and menopausal women because it is a safe and effective way to alleviate these symptoms and improve the overall quality of life. BHRT is tailored to each patient's unique hormonal needs, allowing for a customized treatment plan that addresses their specific symptoms. Additionally, BHRT is made from natural, bioidentical hormones, which have been shown to be better tolerated and have fewer side effects than synthetic hormone therapy. As a result, BHRT is an excellent option for those seeking a safe, effective, and natural way to alleviate the symptoms of andropause and menopause. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to speak with your clinician about BHRT. They can help determine if BHRT is right for you and develop a customized treatment plan to address your specific needs. It is worth noting that synthetic hormone therapy has been linked to increased risks of breast cancer, stroke, and blood clots, as demonstrated in the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) study. In contrast, BHRT has not been associated with these risks, making it a safer alternative for many patients.
BHRT remains a safe and effective way to alleviate the symptoms of hormonal decline brought about by aging and may improve the overall quality of life. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms associated with hormonal imbalance, speak with your clinician about whether BHRT is right for you.
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