What Is Bioidentical Hormone Therapy?

Hormones are the special chemicals produced by parts of our body called glands. They tell the other parts of our body how and when to function. Hormones play a vital role in the growth and breakdown of food, as well as sex and brain function. However, when these hormones are imbalanced, symptoms can occur. This is where Bioidentical Hormone therapy comes in. Here, we will look more into bioidentical hormone therapy and the benefits of New York bioidentical hormone therapy.

What Are Bioidentical Hormones?

Bioidentical hormones are manufactured hormones identical to the natural hormones produced by the body. Some of the common bioidentical hormones matched are testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone. These hormones are used in treating individuals whose natural hormones are imbalanced or very low.

There are other prescription forms of bioidentical hormones customized by a pharmacist based on your doctor’s order (compounding), while other prescriptions are pre-made by a drug company. Additionally, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved various preparations of bioidentical progesterone and estradiol, which are molecularly similar to the natural structure of the hormones produced in the human body. Several tests have also been done to check for purity and safety as well as to ascertain that each prescription has similar amounts of hormones.

Symptoms of Hormone Imbalance

Normally, as we age, the levels of some of the essential hormones in our body decrease, such as testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone. This is very common among women who are experiencing menopause. The following are some of the common symptoms of low hormones:

  • Fatigue
  • Problems sleeping
  • Loss of energy
  • Vaginal dryness
  • Night sweats
  • Pain during sex
  • Hot flashes
  • Loss of interest in sex
  • Memory loss
  • Mood changes
  • Foggy thinking
  • Weight gain
  • Loss of muscle mass

Administering Bioidentical Hormones

According to the North American Menopause Society (NAMS), approximately 1.4 million women use bioidentical therapy. Around 40% of all bioidentical prescriptions for hormone therapy are given to US women in menopause. However, the number of men using hormone therapy is not known. There are various ways to get bioidentical hormones, including creams, shots, gels, pills, implanted pellets, and patches.

Should You Get Compounded Bioidentical Hormones?

There are some risks associated with taking compounded hormones, but it is usually the better alternative in some cases. When taking compounded bioidentical hormones, the patient might be needed to take the prescribed dose of hormones, mainly because a patient may react negatively to the pre-made form. Nonetheless, make sure to consult your healthcare provider first.

When to Contact Your Healthcare Provider

You are advised to call your doctor if you notice any side effects after receiving a dose. Persistent side effects or unmanageable side effects result from having too-high hormone levels.

Low production of testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone can lead to abnormal menstrual periods, mood changes, reduced fertility, loss of energy, hot flashes, as well as many other symptoms. Dr. Inga Zilberstein, MD, PLLC, provides bioidentical hormone therapy to help manage hormonal imbalance and its symptoms. To discuss more about bioidentical hormone therapy, book an appointment online or call the office on the Upper East Side of Manhattan in New York City now.