Your hormones control multiple body functions, and as your needs change, so do your hormones. From puberty through adulthood, the human body goes through various stages of development that call upon an ebb and flow of estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and melatonin, just to name a few of the vital hormones required for growth, metabolism, mood, brain function, and reproduction.
As you age, you slow down or stop producing some of these hormones, and your body might face a few challenges as it adjusts to the new levels. Puberty and aging affect hormones in both men and women, but some gender-specific medical conditions can cause fluctuations as well, such as polycystic ovary syndrome and ovarian cancer in women, and prostate cancer and hypogonadism in men.
Of course, women face significant hormonal changes with each monthly menstrual cycle, as well as during pregnancy, breastfeeding, and of course, menopause.
Mild symptoms can be treated with lifestyle changes, vaginal products, and OTC or prescription medications. But sometimes the only way to get your body back to normal is to replenish your diminishing hormones.
If you’re experiencing severe symptoms caused by imbalanced hormones, Dr. Charles Hunt II at Alabama Vein & Restoration Medspa can help you determine the best way to address them. If that includes bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT), here’s what you need to know to decide if it’s right for you.
First, a word about BHRT
Although the term bioidentical hormone replacement therapy is long and technical, the concept is actually quite simple. BHRT is a medication to fill in the gaps where your hormones have waned so you can achieve balance.
For many years, these hormones were made from the urine of pregnant mares, which led to the brand name Premarin®. But today, you have another choice in BHRT, which is derived from plants. The molecular structure of these hormones is identical to your own hormones, so it’s natural and effective. About 40% of all women who opt for hormone therapy choose BHRT — that’s about 1.4 million women.
What makes you a good candidate for BHRT?
Minor symptoms don’t call for hormone replacement therapy. But if your symptoms are causing pain or affecting the quality of your life, it may be time to consider this next step. Here are some signs that might indicate that BHRT is the best course of treatment for you:
- Sex is painful
- You can’t sleep
- You have severe headaches
- Your family has a history osteoporosis or colon cancer
- Early menopause was triggered by chemotherapy, radiation, or hysterectomy
But there are also some conditions that might make you a less-than-ideal candidate for BHRT, including:
- High blood pressure
- Breast cancer
- Liver disease
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Blood clots
Even having a history with these conditions or having them run in your family can increase your risk of complications if you add BHRT to your treatment plan.
How your life improves with BHRT
If you and Dr. Hunt II decide that BHRT is right for you, you can look forward to vast improvements in your symptoms. Our patients experience increased energy and stamina, restored sex drive, weight loss, level moods, better vision, mental sharpness, and the prevention of muscle and bone loss.
To find out more about BHRT and if it can treat your hormone imbalance issues, contact us at any of our five locations throughout Alabama or request an appointment online using our convenient booking tool. A more stable, balanced life could be just a call or click away.