Signs You Might Need Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT): Symptoms of Hormonal Imbalance

Hormones have an important role in regulating our health and overall well-being. From mood to energy levels and to our body weight, many of our major health factors are affected by hormones. When this hormone production gets disturbed, it can wreak havoc.

Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) has recently gained quite a traction. It is a treatment that restores hormone balance and production in the body. But, how to know if this treatment is the right option for you?

Here we talk about the signs and symptoms that can be an indication of a need for BHRT.

First things first: What is Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT)?

As the name suggests, bioidentical hormones are quite identical to the hormones that your body produces naturally and they constitute the same molecular structure and chemical. These bioidentical hormones are formulated from plant components contrary to conventional hormone replacement therapy that utilizes synthetic materials or substances from animals.

You can take BHRT in the form of a cream, implanted pellets, gels, patches lozenges, and injections. You would need specialized staff if you are taking bioidentical hormone pellets, which are usually implanted in your skin. These pellets are like grains of rice long. When you implant them into your skin, their mechanism releases similar levels of hormones over time. When this palette maintains a constant flow of hormones, your body remains balanced just like when it used to be when you had your natural hormones.

Have questions or need guidance about BHRT? Schedule your complimentary 15-minute consultation today to ensure peace of mind on your wellness journey.

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Signs That You Need Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy

Are you becoming more irritable as you age? or gaining weight suddenly, seeing muscle loss, or experiencing fatigue? 

These may be signs of menopause and it can make the change uncomfortable for you. BHRT can help address these problems and ease the discomfort that menopause symptoms bring. 

Here are the most common signs that you may need BHRT.

• You're having hot flashes and night sweats - these are the most common signs of menopause and can prove very uncomfortable to deal with. Hot flashes usually happen at night, which can make sleeping troublesome for you.
• You are suffering from insomnia which can be a great signal of hormonal imbalance. 

If you can’t sleep or face difficulty in falling for a slumber session, you should immediately seek the advice of an expert to treat that as lack of sleep becomes the cause of many other illnesses and issues. 

• Hormonal imbalances in your body make you easily irritable. If you lose it with just a bit more traffic than usual or quickly pick up a fight with your partner or coworkers, chances are you are experiencing the effects of hormone imbalance.

• Mood swings are one of the early signs that you can witness as a result of imbalanced production of hormones in your body. You begin to have mood swings quite frequently even when you are not clinically diagnosed as depressed. In such cases, your doctor runs labs to see the levels of your serum hormones and decide if you need BHRT or a therapist.

Hormonal imbalances can impact your life in ways unimaginable. You begin to lose interest in things that used to excite you. This happens when your stress level heightens as a result of hormonal imbalances. So, if you find yourself tossing and turning in bed and the idea of getting out of it dreads you, it’s time to see your doctor and get things evaluated.

You're losing your enjoyment in things - suddenly, your hobbies have become uninteresting for you and you no longer find enjoyment in the things that you love. This can be a sign of depression, which in turn is also a result of your hormones becoming unhinged. If you find yourself struggling to get out of bed, taking care of your appearance, and other tasks that you usually do with ease, it's time to visit the doctor and get evaluated.

You are eating the same, doing the same exercises, and having the same lifestyle; yet, you are gaining weight. Seems unexplainable, right? But, it all makes sense when you know how the mechanism and system of your body get affected when you age. 

Aging greatly affects your metabolism which means your body burns fat less efficiently and cannot process stored fat as it used to when your hormones were balanced. Your body also does not need as many calories as it used to get the fuel it needs to perform and function. While your metabolism rate slows down and your body doesn’t need as many calories as it used to and you still provide it with the same amount of calories, it shows up in the form of weight gain.

Another sign that may suggest that you should opt for BHRT is your muscle weakness. How do you gauge that in your daily life? You’d begin to feel that you are not as strong as you used to be. 

For instance, you may find it hard to open that jar of jam and you easily get tired doing physically demanding work such as walking, jogging, or running errands. All of this happens when your muscles weaken due to hormonal imbalance and is quite common in women suffering from menopause.

When to Start Taking Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy?

The start of your menopause is ideally a good time to start your BHRT, particularly, you should seek hormonal balancing treatment like BHRT within 10 years of your last menstrual period. Taking this measure earlier in your menopausal keeps the symptoms of hormonal imbalances in control and aids in preventing osteoporosis. The more you delay taking hormone treatment, the more chances you have to suffer from blood clots and strokes.

On the other hand, you also need to consider that taking estrogen for a longer period can also run the risk of Alzheimer's disease. Therefore, it is important to consult an expert who can address the dosage that is just appropriate to treat the symptoms of menopausal.

FAQs

1. Who is a good candidate for BHRT?

Women experiencing hormonal imbalances, menopause, or related symptoms looking to optimize their health and well-being.

2. What are the first signs that BHRT is working?

Initial signs include improved energy levels, better mood, more regular menstrual cycles, and enhanced overall well-being.

Q: Do I need regular check-ups while on BHRT? 

A: Yes, make sure you are going for regular follow-ups with your healthcare provider, as it's essential to monitor your health and adjust the treatment as needed.