Hormones are chemical messengers that circulate through the blood stream and control every function of our body. Bio-identical Hormones have the same molecular structure as naturally occurring hormones (such as testosterone, progesterone and oestrogen) produced in the body. They are derived from diosgenin which is sourced from the Mexican yam plant.
Synthetic hormones used in conventional hormone replacement therapy, have a chemical structure that may be similar to, but not exactly the same as, the hormones produced by the body. These chemical differences can mean that synthetic hormones act differently in the body and can produce different effects.
Bio-identical hormones can be very beneficial to patients who are experiencing hormone imbalances and are looking for treatment, or alternatively may have tried synthetic hormone treatments but had unwanted effects as a result.
Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT), is the process of treating hormonal imbalances with Bio-identical Hormones, instead of synthetic hormones. Both men and women can experience significant benefits from using BHRT. It can not only relieve the debilitating symptoms commonly associated with hormone imbalance but also helps improve your life’s quality, vitality and well-being while at the same time contributing to slowing the ageing process.
BHRT can help with:
- Hot flushes and night sweats
- Fatigue
- Sleep disturbance
- Forgetfullness
- Increase in heartbeat/palpitations
- Headaches
- Mood swings, anger and/or irritability
- Anxiety and/or depression
- Hair loss
- Weight gain
- Bloating
- Fluid retention
- Changes in period cycle or intensity
- Breast tenderness/pain
- Aching and painful joints
- Dry and wrinkled skin
- Decreased muscle tone
- Urinary track infections and/or sudden bouts of incontinence
- Vaginal dryness or erectile dysfunction
- Low/loss of sex drive
- Painful intimacy
BHRT can be used to treat a wide variety of hormonal imbalances including:
- Perimenopoause/Menopause in women,
- Andropause in men
- Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
- Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
- Post-Natal Depression
- Endometriosis
- Fibroids
As with all medical treatment, before a patient is treated using BHRT a doctor should carry out a comprehensive review of their medical history and any follow up treatment recommended should be specific to the individual’s needs. BHRT medication is usually prescribed as a lozenge or cream, formulated to the individual patient’s requirements. Any treatment plan should always include regular follow ups and ongoing monitoring to help achieve optimum results.