Bioidentical Hormonal therapy: Everything you need to know!

It’s no secret that 50 is the new 40, and 40 is the new 30. In the last 50 years, we have reclaimed our right to age as we damn well please, and this new generation of women is coming on strong with innovative new treatments to do so gracefully. One of the most exciting ones is bioidentical hormonal therapy.

It used to be that women would fear and almost avoid talking and preparing for menopause, viewing it as the

beginning of the end and something to be dreaded and hidden. Celebrities like Oprah have discovered the pro’s of hormone replacement therapy, and are huge advocates for women of all ages to open up a conversation about their health and specially to avoid stigmas. At Vida Wellness and Beauty & Longevity Center, our experts encourage women to take charge of their hormonal cycles and make the most of what nature’s powers bestowed upon us. As a result of these natural cycles, many women undergoing menopause go through physical and emotional changes such as hot flashes, night sweats or irritability symptoms, and bioidentical hormonal therapy can be the answer. But …let’s start at the beginning.

Many women undergoing menopause go through physical and emotional changes

What is menopause?

Menopause is the period of a woman’s life in which menstruation ceases and decreases the production of the female hormones estrogen and progesterone. Symptoms of menopause can vary from mild to severe, and include hot flashes, night sweats and vaginal dryness. The most common and effective way to treat the symptoms is to replace the estrogen that the body no longer produces. Hormone therapy can be estrogen alone or a combination of estrogen and progesterone.

 

Did you know?

Menopause is a natural stage in the life of the woman. Some symptoms such as hot flashes disappear in a few years. On the other hand, symptoms such as vaginal dryness often do not disappear.

A large study of women 50 to 79 years called the Program for Women’s Health (Women’s Health Initiative, or WHI) examined the effect of taking hormones in various aspects of women’s health. In 2002, the study found that the risk of breast cancer, heart disease, stroke and blood clots increased slightly in postmenopausal women receiving estrogen and progesterone therapy.

As a result, many women stopped taking these hormones and began looking for other treatments such as bioidentical hormones.

What are bioidentical hormones?

Bioidentical hormones hormones are exactly like hormones produced by the female body. (Other types of hormonal therapy, as used in the WHI study are slightly different to the hormones produced by the body). Bioidentical hormones are sometimes called “natural” hormones, despite being synthesized in the laboratory, because they come from vegetable sources before being modified to resemble human hormones. Not all hormones produced by natural sources are bioidentical, but bioidentical hormones are molecularly engineered to be exactly the same as the hormones our body produces, and are effectively used to balance out the different cycles in our systems.

The most common and effective way to treat the menopause is to replace the estrogen that the body no longer produces

How do you know which treatment is Best For You?

Your doctor can help you choose the best treatment for you. The treatment is based on your medical history and your risk for health problems such as breast cancer, stroke, heart disease and blood clots. It also depends on the symptoms to be treated, such as vaginal dryness only, or symptoms with effect on the entire body.

If your doctor prescribes hormone therapy, the FDA recommends using the lowest possible dose for the shortest time necessary to relieve symptoms. The idea is to avoid taking the drug for excessive periods and amounts to reduce potential risks of hormone therapy. You may also want to consider the variety of non- hormonal options as a complement for the treatment of menopausal symptoms.

Finding the right kind of treatment for you can take time. Whatever you choose, your doctor will monitor your treatment frequently.

Benefits of HRT

It reduces hot flashes and sleep disturbances that often accompany menopause.

Vaginal discomfort decreases with increasing thickness, elasticity and lubricity of the vaginal tissue.

Urinary track tissue becomes more thicker and more elastic, reducing the incidence of stress incontinence and urinary tract infections.

It may be useful in relieving depression and mood swings that can occur during hormonal cycles and can produce a general sense of well being and increase energy.

  • Increases the thickness and elasticity of the skin, reducing the appearance of wrinkles.
  • Prevents osteoporosis; also used in the treatment of bone loss when it has already begun.
  • Prevents deterioration of bone density and can reduce the incidence of hip fractures.
  • It improves concentration of lipids in the blood and low levels of fibrinogen.
  • Some studies suggest that taking estrogen may reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. However, scientists warn that further research is needed to explore this possibility.

This new approach to women’s health calls for a much needed conversation. What are we so afraid of? The ongoing process of a woman’s body is something to be celebrated and cared for. Bioidentical hormonal replacement can provide the expert care and necessary bosta to make the most of our health. Call us TOLL FREE at 1-619-610-1667 to talk about how Vida Wellness and Beauty can help you make the most of life!

 

Dr. Ruben Medina

Dr. Ruben Medina is our Wellness & Anti-Aging Medicine Specialist. He received his Doctor of Medicine degree from the Autonomous University of Baja California (UABC) in 2009 one of the highest-ranking and most prestigious medical schools in Mexico. He specializes in Anti-Aging Medicine, Regenerative Medicine, and Hormone Replacement Therapy to name a few. He is a member of the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine and the COLAMER (Latin American College of Aesthetics, Regenerative and Intelligent Aging Medicine).