As you get older, it becomes more and more difficult to lose weight- no matter how hard you try. This is because your body’s natural hormone production begins to decline. Bioidentical hormones (BHRT) are a type of hormone replacement therapy that can help restore your body’s natural hormone balance, making it easier to lose weight. In this post, we’ll discuss all the basics you need to know about BHRT for weight loss. Keep reading to learn more!
What are Bioidentical Hormones?
Bioidentical hormones are structurally and chemically identical to the hormones produced by your body. This means that they can be more easily metabolized and used by your body, compared to synthetic hormones. Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) is a treatment that uses these bioidentical hormones to help restore your body’s hormone balance.
How Does Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy Help with Weight Loss?
As we age, our bodies produce less and less of the hormones that are responsible for regulating our metabolism. This decrease in hormone production can lead to weight gain, as well as a host of other symptoms like fatigue, depressed mood, and low sex drive. Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy can help to alleviate these symptoms by restoring your body’s natural hormone balance. In doing so, BHRT can also help to increase your metabolism and promote weight loss.
Are There Any Side Effects of Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy?
Side effects from BHRT are generally rare and mild. The most common side effects include headache, breast tenderness, and nausea. However, these side effects usually resolve within a few weeks of starting treatment. If you do experience any serious side effects, be sure to contact your doctor right away.
The Components of BHRT for Weight Loss
Some bioidentical hormones are made by drug companies. Others, known as compounded bioidentical hormones, are custom-made by a pharmacy, according to a doctor’s orders. This process is known as compounding. Compounding typically involves ingredients being combined or altered to meet the needs of an individual.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved some forms of manufactured bioidentical hormones, including bioidentical estriol (a weak form of estrogen) and progesterone. However, the FDA hasn’t approved any custom-compounded bioidentical hormones.
Most bioidentical hormones are manufactured and sold without controls for safety, quality, or purity. Many medical organizations have taken a stand against the marketing and use of unapproved bioidentical hormones.
Compounded bioidentical hormones are often touted as being safer and more effective than synthetic hormones. But the FDA and most doctors will caution that those claims haven’t been proven in reputable studies and that these hormones may even be potentially dangerous in some cases.
Traditional vs. Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a treatment used to relieve symptoms of menopause. It replaces female hormones that are at lower levels during this time in a woman’s life.
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) is a type of HRT. Bioidentical hormones are man-made hormones that are identical in chemical structure to the hormones naturally produced in the human body.
The majority of studies on HRT have used synthetic hormone therapy, not BHRT. Fewer studies have been done on BHRT, and most of them are small and not well designed. Because of this, it’s unclear whether BHRT is any safer or more effective than synthetic HRT.
How Is Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy Done?
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy is typically done through subcutaneous pellet implants. Pellets are made from a bioidentical hormone, such as testosterone, and are about the size of a grain of rice. They’re inserted just under the skin, usually in the hip area. The pellet releases a consistent, low dose of hormone over three to five months.
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy can also be done through cream, gel, or patch applications. These methods are less effective than pellets, as they can be absorbed unevenly by the body.
What Are the Benefits and Risks of Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy?
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy is often touted as being safer and more effective than traditional hormone replacement therapy. However, there’s little scientific evidence to support these claims. In fact, some studies have found that bioidentical hormone replacement therapy may be associated with an increased risk of breast cancer.
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy is also generally more expensive than traditional hormone replacement therapy.
If you’re considering bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, be sure to talk to your doctor about the potential risks and benefits. Only use Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy if it’s been prescribed by a doctor.
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Atlas Health Medical Group in Gilbert, Arizona specializes in providing Naturopathic / Functional Medicine to the East Valley including Gilbert, Chandler, Mesa, San Tan and Queen Creek. We specialize in innovative treatments such as Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP), Bioidentical Hormones (BHRT) for Weight Loss, testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), Nutrient IVs , Prolotherapy Treatments and emerging alternatives to Stem Cell Therapy that allow us to individualize care for every patient. We pride ourselves on setting the standards of patient care and result-driven treatments. This approach has allowed us to become the leading Naturopathic clinic in Gilbert, Arizona. Our patients return to health and live the life they intended. Contact us today for your first appointment!
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