Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy

As women move through their forties and into their fifties, they often begin to experience changes not only in their menstrual cycles but also in their feeling of well-being. Women will talk of difficulty sleeping, increased moodiness, vaginal dryness, lack of sex drive, joint achiness, hot flashes, night sweats, and a feeling of brain fogginess. These symptoms are often a sign of changing hormone levels. Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy is one option for managing these symptoms.

Difference Between Bioidentical and Synthetic Hormones

Bioidentical and synthetic hormones are very different. A bioidentical hormone has a molecular structure that is identical to the hormones naturally produced by the ovaries. A synthetic hormone (such as Premarin) has a molecular structure similar to, but not exactly the same as the hormones produced by a woman’s body. For that reason, many women find that bioidentical hormones are easier to tolerate and offer fewer side effects.

Hormone Therapy

Hormone therapy typically involves replacing estrogen, progesterone, and/or testosterone. Based on a woman’s symptoms, an individualized approach to replacement is available. To begin, we educate each woman about the role of these three vital hormones.

“Estrogen” is often used as a catch-all term when in fact, there are many types of estrogen produced in our bodies. Three types, estradiol, estriol, and estrone are the major players for women at this stage of their lives. Estradiol is the most potent form of estrogen and is available in several commercially manufactured products. Estriol is known as the “forgotten” or “weak” estrogen but has important benefits for women suffering from vaginal dryness/ and or incontinence. Estriol is not available commercially in the United States and therefore must be compounded by a pharmacist. Estrone is the predominant estrogen in post-menopause and is manufactured by a woman’s fat cells. It, too, is only available through a compounding pharmacy.

Progesterone and estrogen work closely together to balance each other. When that balance is disrupted, women may experience mood swings, sweet cravings, depression, weight gain, bloating, and breast tenderness. Bioidentical progesterone is available commercially and through compounding pharmacies and is important to use in conjunction with estrogen in women who have a uterus. Progesterone stabilizes the lining of the uterus and thereby decreases the risk of endometrial cancer.

Testosterone is produced in men and in substantially smaller amounts in women. Both men and women experience a decline as they age. Women will often report decreased sex drive, less sexual satisfaction, decreased bone density, and a loss of sense of well-being associated with a lower testosterone level. It is possible to include very small amounts of testosterone supplementation in a complete bioidentical hormone replacement program using an individualized compounded topical cream.

Forms of Bioidentical Hormone Therapy

There are many forms of bioidentical hormone therapy, including oral tablets, creams, patches, and suppositories. It’s important to keep a few points in mind when deciding on the system that is best for you. First, patches may be a good choice if you have an elevated cholesterol level, and oral tablets are not such a good choice. Oral tablets must be metabolized in the liver and thus can raise cholesterol and triglyceride levels. However, patches would not be a good idea if you have sensitive skin and have reacted to other adhesives in the past. Vaginal creams are very effective in treating urinary and vaginal problems but may not protect against bone loss.

Eau Claire Hormone Replacement Therapy

The author, Linda Poirier, FNP-C, has over 20 years of experience working with hormone replacement therapy in Eau Claire, WI. She has developed individualized bioidentical hormone replacement therapy programs for women locally and around the state of Wisconsin. Watching women journey through this next chapter of their lives with grace and vitality has been a rewarding and exciting part of her practice. Click on Request an Appointment to complete the form to request an appointment or call 715-832-9292 if you would to explore any of these options.