Hormones regulate so many bodily functions that even slight irregularities can cause a lot of health problems. If the body requires certain hormones to be replaced, it is possible to do so now. One such treatment is bioidentical hormone replacement therapy.
Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy
Bioidentical hormones contain the same chemical formula that is present in natural hormones. The body therefore accepts the hormones without any problems. These are laboratory-made and are customized to work for various uses. They differ from synthetic hormones in structure and composition. Hormones can be replaced when necessary to treat or prevent specific health problems.
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, or BHRT, is a solution to replenish lost or reduced hormones in the body. The hormones most commonly replaced through BHRT are testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone. The therapy can be administered using pills, injections, creams, patches, or gels.
Uses and Benefits of BHRT
Women who are experiencing menopause can use BHRT to treat various painful and uncomfortable symptoms. During the perimenopause period also, the hormone levels begin to fluctuate and give rise to many symptoms that affect women during and after menopause. These symptoms can include night sweats, hot flashes, mood fluctuations, loss of sleep, vaginal dryness, loss of libido, changes in memory, dry skin, and fatigue. Bioidentical therapy can help women find relief from these symptoms.
When proper balance is restored to the hormone levels, women can not only rid themselves of painful symptoms but can also enjoy reduced risk of conditions such as cataracts and diabetes. BHRT can help minimize bone-density loss and prevent symptoms from worsening any further. BHRT can also be used to help cancer patients who experience reduced estrogen levels after certain treatments.
Considerations
If you plan to undergo BHRT, consult with Dr. Lu-Jean Feng first. Dr. Feng is a board-certified plastic surgeon with years of experience. Hormonal health is very delicate, and any kind of change in hormone levels can pose health risks. Based on your symptoms and health needs, Dr. Feng can recommend a course of action using bioidentical hormones.
It is also imperative that you use only bioidentical hormones that have been FDA-approved. Many companies make bioidentical hormones that have not been tested sufficiently and may have unwanted side effects. These hormones without safety approvals are also available on the market.
Dr. Feng can recommend the proper treatment course and administer it correctly. She will start with a low dosage and will continue the treatment until your symptoms have disappeared. BHRT is not recommended for long-term use.
You will also need to come for monitoring sessions to evaluate the levels of hormones after the treatment begins. With any kind of hormone therapy, regular checkups and monitoring sessions are very essential. It is required for the purpose of checking the necessary dose and to keep tabs on your health.
BHRT is often used as a last resort when other treatments to ease the symptoms have failed or have not worked effectively.
Your Consultation
If you would like to arrange an informative bioidentical hormone replacement therapy consultation with Dr. Feng, contact our office and set up an appointment.
