The Basics of Bioidentical Hormone Replacement (BHRT) By Henry C. Sobo, MD
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oth women and men suffer from a wide array of symptoms that occur when our hormone levels naturally fall as we age. Synthetic pharmaceuticals prescribed as “hormone replacement” therapy are among the most widely prescribed medications in the U.S. They are prescribed most commonly at menopause for symptoms, such as hot flashes and night sweats, but have been recommended as a preventive measure for osteoporosis and other health problems that occur with aging as well. There are side effects and concerns about the long-term safety of taking these synthetic hormone replacements, information that is readily available on the package insert included with any prescription. Many women with perimenopause and menopausal symptoms refuse therapy they might otherwise benefit from, fearing the possible negative consequences of being treated with hormones. The field of bioidentical hormone replacement has emerged to address these safety concerns.
• Aches and pains • Weakness • Fatigue • “Burned-out” feeling • Thinning skin • Headaches • Bone loss • Decreased stamina • Sex-specific symptoms • For men, prostate problems and erectile dysfunction • For women, vaginal dryness and painful intercourse
Why Bioidentical Hormones? When being treated with bioidentical hormones, a person’s low hormonal levels are improved by a prescription of the same hormone that the body naturally produces, which has become deficient. When a person’s hormones become too low, there is a long list of associated symptoms that may occur. The problem of hormone deficiency is important not just for women but for men as well. Consider how many symptoms overlap between the sexes: • Low libido • Depression • Forgetfulness • Sleep disturbances
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