Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) helps you balance hormone levels by using insertions of rice grain-sized pellets. While it was initially prescribed to treat menopausal symptoms, BHRT has become a common treatment for women who want to prevent osteoporosis or other conditions associated with low estrogen levels.
Estrogen is an essential female sex hormone produced by the ovaries. It plays a key role in regulating menstruation, pregnancy, sexual development, and maintaining bone health. Estrogen deficiency also leads to a number of problems such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and thinning hair.
What Are Bio-identical Hormones?
Bio-identical hormones have identical molecular and chemical structures to their counterparts found naturally in the human body. These hormones include estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone.
Bio-identical hormones are made from natural plant extracts that are able to mimic the effects of the natural hormones found in your body. They are not chemically synthesized like conventional medications used in other hormone replacement treatments.
Naturally occurring bone loss with age
Bone loss occurs when there isn’t enough calcium available to build new bones. This process can happen throughout life but most commonly begins after menopause. The risk of developing osteoporosis increases with age. The weakening of your bones is a serious condition and can limit the amount of physical activities that you’re able to partake in.
In addition to the limitations of physical activity, the decline in bone mineral density significantly increases your risks of fractures in the events of falls, or other physical injuries.
During menopause, estrogen levels drop dramatically. As a result, your bones lose mass. Your risk of fracture also increases.
How can Bio-identical Hormone Therapy help with bone loss?
Bio-identical hormones behave just as the ones found in your body. They stimulate the same receptors in your body so you experience all of the benefits of estrogen without any of the negative side effects you could get with synthetic hormones.
While Bio-identical Hormone Therapy does not replace the need for calcium, they help in slowing down the rate at which your bone density declines. In addition, they may reduce the severity of hot flashes, night sweats, and other symptoms of hormonal imbalance.
Because BHRT has been shown to prevent bone fragility, it is an ideal treatment for prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.
Osteoporosis and Estrogen
Osteoporotic fractures occur when weak bones break and is one of the most common diseases affecting older adults. It is caused by a decrease in bone density due to aging. Osteoporotic fractures are more likely to occur if you have had previous fractures.
Women and men both have an increased risk of osteoporosis as they get older, especially after age 50, but there are some differences between the two sexes such as estrogen. Estrogen is the most common cause for osteoporosis, since it accelerates bone density losses after menopause when people experience a sharp decline of estrogen production.
Because of the sharp decline in estrogen, post-menopausal women are more susceptible to osteoporosis and weak bone strength.
Benefits Of Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Therapy
While Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Therapy is used to preserve bone mineral density, the beneficial effects don’t end there. Restoring your hormonal balance to optimal levels helps to prevent osteoporosis, the symptoms of menopause in women, and symptoms of hormonal imbalance in men.
These symptoms include low energy, mood, and libido. If you are a man or woman and are experiencing any of these symptoms, it may be time to begin your BHRT treatments.
Your treatment provider will assess your medical history and any health risks you may have to determine if Bioidentical Hormone Therapy is appropriate for you.
