Menopause can be quite problematic for many women. Menopause happens when a woman's body slowly begins to stop producing certain hormones. This can cause a variety of symptoms that can range from mildly annoying to debilitating. One way to treat menopause is with hormone therapy, though some women are resistant to using synthetic hormones due to their side effects. There are now other hormone therapies that are more natural, including bioidentical hormone therapy. Here is what you need to know:
What Are the Symptoms of Menopause?
Before you can explore bioidentical hormone therapy, you first need to know if that is the condition you are dealing with. Some common symptoms of menopause include night sweats, hot flashes, depression, mood swings, the inability to concentrate, weight gain, and fatigue. You need to see your doctor to ensure you are dealing with menopause and not another type of medical condition.
How Does Bioidentical Hormone Therapy Treat Menopause?
Bioidentical hormones are natural hormones that have the same molecular structures as human hormones you produce. Synthetic hormones that are often used to treat menopause symptoms are created pharmaceutically and are not natural to the body. Bioidentical hormones do not have the same lingering side effects you typically see in synthetic hormones, and they can be more effective.
How Does Bioidentical Hormone Therapy Work?
To begin, a lab will do a round of different tests to determine your body's natural hormone makeup. This will develop a baseline for hormone therapy. You will need to return to the doctor regularly to check your hormone levels. Your bioidentical hormones will likely have to be adjusted over a period of time until the levels become more even.
The hormone therapy can be in the form of a gel, cream, capsule, or pellet. Many doctors prefer gel or cream applications because they absorb directly into the body and do not have to pass through the stomach and liver.
It can take some time to see the full effects of the bioidentical hormones. You may begin to notice some changes within a few weeks, but it may take a couple of months to see significant improvements. In addition to bioidentical hormone therapy, your doctor will likely suggest you make some lifestyle changes to help decrease your menopause symptoms.
If you begin bioidentical hormone therapy and you do not notice any changes at all, be sure to speak to your doctor about it. There could be some additional issues you need to address.
Contact your doctor to learn more about bioidentical hormone replacement therapy.
Share