Benefits of Bioidentical Hormones and Ideal Candidates
Your body relies on hormones for sending signals throughout your body. They influence your mood, control metabolism, maintain sexual health, and even regulate appetite and the sleep-wake cycle. Yet, not everyone has an ideal balance of hormones. Some people don’t make sufficient amounts of certain hormones, for example, and hormone levels can also change at varying life stages, such as menopause in women and andropause in men.
Bioidentical hormone therapy (BHT) uses synthetically created hormones that are as close to the real deal as possible, hence the name “bioidentical.” Because they are chemically identical to the hormones your body produces naturally, bioidentical hormones can be readily absorbed and used. If your body isn’t producing enough hormones naturally, bioidentical hormone therapy can restore balance and optimize your whole health.
BHT Can Alleviate the Symptoms of Menopause
Menopause is a perfectly natural stage of life, but the physical and emotional symptoms can feel anything but normal. From fatigue to hot flashes to mood irregularities, women going through menopause can experience many changes. What’s more, the transition into menopause—perimenopause, which can last two to eight years—also causes health changes due to hormonal fluctuations. This means that a significant length of a woman’s life is characterized by difficult symptoms due to hormonal imbalance.
Bioidentical hormone therapy can restore whole health by correcting hormonal imbalances, alleviating the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause. Because these bioidentical hormones fit perfectly into the hormone receptors, they can stabilize hormone levels and relieve symptoms such as the following:
- Hot flashes
- Night sweats
- Mood swings
- Vaginal dryness
- Weight gain
In addition, BHT can reduce the risk of osteopenia and osteoporosis by increasing the strength of bones. It may also lower the risk of certain diseases, including endometrial cancer and Alzheimer’s disease.
Bioidentical Hormone Therapy Can Restore Your Sexual Health
Sexual health is another area of wellness that menopause and andropause can negatively affect, although not all patients experiencing adverse sexual health effects will necessarily be in menopause or andropause. Sexual health problems can also happen much earlier in life. BHT can help restore interest in sex, as well as address problems like vaginal dryness and pain during sex.
Hormonal Balance Can Help You Get a Good Night’s Sleep
Sleep is so vital for overall health. BHT can allow you to effectively biohack your sleep quality and quantity, which in turn improves your whole health. Bioidentical hormones can help restore your natural circadian rhythm, also known as your sleep-wake cycle, which can improve both the quantity and quality of your sleep.
Of course, it’s also a smart idea to follow good sleep hygiene practices along with taking BHT. For example, you’ll want to avoid caffeine after the early afternoon, avoid large meals before bedtime, and keep your bedroom dark and cool.
When you’re able to get adequate sleep on a consistent basis, you can look forward to the following health benefits:
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Contract fewer infections
- Improve your mood
- Reduce your stress
- Reduce your risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, and type 2 diabetes
- Improve your memory and concentration
Look as Good as You Feel
The traditional approach to medicine often discounts patients’ physical appearance. Yet, how we look is deeply intertwined with how we feel. If you’re distressed about the signs of aging, you may no longer feel as self-confident as you once did, nor as socially outgoing.
One of the reasons why aging affects appearance is changes in hormone levels. Hormonal depletion can accelerate the appearance of wrinkles and sagging skin, and it can also contribute to hair loss in both men and women. Bioidentical hormone therapy can address these issues in part by boosting the production of collagen and elastin—two proteins that are essential for healthy skin, hair, and nails.
Are You an Ideal Candidate for Bioidentical Hormone Therapy?
Only a doctor can determine if you’re a good candidate for hormone replacement therapy. Generally, patients turn to Kore Regenerative Medicine to ask about BHT when they’re experiencing perimenopause, menopause, or andropause, or when they’re interested in its anti-aging benefits (e.g. better skin elasticity and reduced risk of cardiovascular disease). However, our board-certified physician, Dr. Quinn, will need to review your full medical history and run lab tests to determine whether BHT is both safe and appropriate for you.
There are some contraindications to be aware of. It’s important to disclose your entire medical history, but particularly any of the following conditions:
- Breast cancer
- Endometrial cancer
- Blood clots
- Liver disease
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding
- Stroke
- Cardiovascular disease
Find Out If BHT Biohacking Is Right for You
Although everyone will experience hormonal changes, your experience with them is as unique as you are. That’s why you deserve a personalized, holistic approach to wellness. At Kore Regenerative Medicine, Dr. Jordanna Quinn and her team combine traditional and alternative medicine to develop highly customized treatment plans suited to the needs of each patient. Furthermore, we focus not only on improving our patients’ physical health, but also helping them nurture their emotional wellness.
Schedule an appointment online today or call our office in Golden, CO for more information.
