What is Bioidentical Hormone Therapy?
Bioidentical Hormone Therapy is an artificial hormone that is similar to the hormones produced by the human body. These are hormones designed to mimic the hormonal glands in your body. They are used for treatment purposes in people whose own hormones are low or unbalanced. This treatment is often called hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
Hormones regulate many important functions in the body, so a disruption in hormonal balance can cause various health problems. Bioidentical hormone therapy helps reduce or eliminate certain symptoms by bringing hormone levels back to normal ranges. It is used for purposes such as relieving menopause symptoms, increasing bone density, and maintaining skin health. In women, the decrease in estrogen and progesterone hormones during the postmenopausal period can lead to many symptoms. These symptoms include hot flashes, sweating, sleep problems, skin and hair changes, bone loss, and mood swings. Bioidentical hormone therapy can help manage these symptoms.
Bioidentical hormone therapy uses processed hormones obtained from plants. Estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone are the most commonly used bioidentical hormones.
Hormone replacement therapy can be done using synthetic or natural hormones. The hormones used in bioidentical hormone therapy are very similar to the body’s natural hormones, so they are more easily accepted by the body and may have fewer side effects.
Bioidentical hormone therapy should be used after being evaluated and prescribed by a doctor. Before starting treatment, the person’s medical history, symptoms, and general health status should be carefully reviewed. The benefits and risks of this treatment can vary for each individual, so a personalized approach should be taken before treatment.
Effects of Hormone Therapy
Relieving Menopause Symptoms: It is frequently used to alleviate symptoms during menopause. Symptoms such as hot flashes, sweating, insomnia, mood swings, sexual reluctance, and vaginal dryness can be reduced by regulating hormone levels.
Supporting Bone Health: Especially in women, as the protective effect of estrogen on bones is lost in the post-menopausal period, a decrease in bone density can be observed, which can increase the risk of osteoporosis, or osteoporosis. Osteoporosis can cause collapse fractures in the spine bones in women, hip and back pain, and bones such as the hip bone to break more easily in the event of a fall. Bone pain can limit a person’s quality of life and mobility. Bioidentical hormone therapy can help protect bone health by reducing bone loss.
Supporting Skin and Hair Health: With the decrease in estrogen hormone, problems such as dryness, loss of elasticity, and hair loss can occur in the skin. Bioidentical hormone therapy can reduce such symptoms by supporting skin and hair health.
Cardiovascular Health: There are studies showing that women with vasomotor symptoms such as hot flashes that wake them up at night in menopausal women are at risk for cardiovascular disease. It shows that bioequivalent hormone therapy can have positive effects on cardiovascular health. It is recommended that women in menopause who have a family history of heart disease, heart attack, or hot flashes undergo a cardiology check-up and be evaluated for bioequivalent hormone therapy if necessary.
Vaginal Dryness and Improvement of Sexual Functions: Problems such as vaginal dryness and decreased sexual desire may occur with menopause. Bioequivalent hormone therapy can improve sexual health by reducing vaginal dryness.
The effects of bioequivalent hormone therapy may vary from person to person and may not be the same for everyone. In addition, the method of application, duration, and dosage vary for each patient. In fact, the patient may be monitored at certain intervals throughout the treatment process and the method of use and dosage of the drug may be changed.
A personalized treatment plan should be determined by a doctor, taking into account the benefits and risks of the treatment.
The Relationship Between Bioidentical Hormone Therapy and Weight Gain
Effect of Hormonal Changes: Bioidentical hormone therapy generally aims to correct deficiencies or low levels of hormones such as estrogen and progesterone. These hormones affect metabolism in the body and regulate energy use. Changes in hormone levels can cause increased appetite or changes in metabolic rate in some people.
Risk of Weight Gain: Some people may be at risk of gaining weight as a side effect of bioidentical hormone therapy. This effect may be more pronounced, especially at the beginning of treatment or during dosage adjustments. However, this weight gain is often a temporary effect due to the formation of edema in the body as it gets used to the medications. In addition, weight gain or edema does not apply to everyone and can vary from person to person.
Lifestyle Factors: Balanced eating habits and regular exercise can help prevent or control weight gain. Same
Improvement of Hormone Levels and Weight Control: Correction of hormone levels with bioidentical hormone therapy can reduce the tendency to gain weight in some people. Especially during menopause, a slowdown in metabolism due to hormone deficiency can cause weight gain. This condition can be corrected with hormone therapy to help control weight.
The relationship between bioidentical hormone therapy and weight gain is complex and depends on individual factors. Each individual’s experience is different and their response to treatment may also vary. Therefore, it is important to be in regular contact with your doctor before and during treatment.
Risks and Side Effects of Bioidentical Hormones
In determining where to receive bioidentical hormone therapy, factors such as the person’s medical history, current symptoms, lifestyle and preferences are important. In order for the treatment to be applied effectively and safely, it must be evaluated and directed by a specialist doctor.
Bioidentical hormones approved by the FDA have been tested for safety. They have passed the FDA’s strict standards and are safe for human use. However, like all hormone treatments, there are risks. You should evaluate the pros and cons of these with your doctor.
Hormone replacement therapy may not be safe in patients with a history of blood clotting disorders, heart or cardiovascular disease, breast cancer and stroke. These patients should be evaluated in detail as a multidisciplinary team, the benefits and harms should be compared and a decision should be made.
Some side effects can be observed, especially after the first dose, while the body tries to get used to these side effects. It is observed that most side effects regress as the body gets used to these hormones. Side effects such as weight gain, blurred vision, fatigue, acne, increased facial hair, headache, breast tenderness, spotting, cramps, bloating and mood changes can be observed.
It is important to inform your doctor when you observe these side effects. It is also very important to visit your doctor at regular intervals during the treatment process in order to be able to adjust the dose, evaluate the effects of the treatment and keep possible side effects such as thickening of the uterine wall and cysts in the breast under control. Hormone replacement therapy, like every treatment, has some risks. You should have regular check-ups in order to be able to detect these early.
