The Science Behind BHRT: How Bioidentical Hormones Are Changing Menopause Management
Hot flashes, inability to sleep, changes in sex and libido—menopause can change your body in various ways. Many women try to personally manage these symptoms as they come, not knowing there may be long-term answers.
Luckily, bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) is a proven game changer in managing symptoms for women going through menopause. To understand how this innovation works, let’s explore the mechanisms behind it.
How Estrogen Works on a Molecular Level
Estrogen is a steroid hormone derived from cholesterol. It regulates several functions in the female body:
- The menstrual cycle
- Bone density
- Skin health
- Body temperature and perspiration
- Heart health
- And more
When estrogen molecules enter a cell, they bind to proteins called “estrogen receptors,” which are found in body tissue. Once bound, they move into the cell nucleus, triggering a series of events that result in changes in gene expression, metabolism and cell function.
How Menopause Affects Women
As women enter menopause, their estrogen production slows. This reduction affects every bodily function estrogen regulates, from body temperature to sleep cycle. It’s what causes symptoms like hot flashes, brain fog and more.
To help alleviate these symptoms, many women use hormone replacement therapy (HRT). It can help balance your hormone levels and make the effects of menopause more manageable.
How Estrogen Replacement Therapy Works
Estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) is hormone therapy specifically used to treat symptoms associated with menopause. It helps:
- Bone health: Estrogen stimulates bone-building cells, supporting good bone density.
- Vaginal atrophy: Estrogen promotes “mucosal hydration,” which helps alleviate dryness and symptoms associated with painful or uncomfortable intercourse.
- Body Regulation: Estrogen acts in the brain’s hypothalamus to regulate mood, sensitivity to temperature regulation (hot flashes) and cognitive function.
Your body’s response to ERT can vary depending on your age, health and genetics and the type of estrogen used. This is why it’s important to undergo HRT under the supervision of a licensed physician who can monitor your progress.
How BHRT Differs From Traditional Hormone Therapy
Women undergoing ERT can choose between traditional HRT and BHRT. Traditional HRT uses synthetic hormones made from various ingredients, like horse urine, to create artificial estrogen.
In recent years, new HRT products have been created that are deemed more natural than synthetic hormones. While still made in a lab, bioidentical hormones are derived from plants like wild yams and soy. And unlike traditional HRT products, BHRT products are chemically identical to the hormones your body naturally produces.
Many experts believe BHRT is a safer and more effective form of therapy due to its chemical identity. It’s available in multiple forms, including slow-release hormone pellets that supply your body with a constant dose of hormones.
Learn How BHRT Can Alleviate Your Menopausal Symptoms
BHRT is a proven way to reduce the discomfort of menopause. The first step toward ongoing relief is meeting with a hormone specialist like the ones here at Balance Hormone Center. We’ll review your health history and test your estrogen levels to determine the best course of action.
Contact the office nearest you to schedule an appointment with a caring team member. We look forward to making your post-menopause life more fulfilling!
