When to Use Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy in Canada
Menopause is a confusing and frustrating time in a woman's life. When you are younger, your mother might tell you it is puberty in reverse, but when it happens to you, you know that is a very simplified description. Estrogen Dominance can be controlled and treated with a variety of lifestyle changes, proper diet and medications. Bioidentical natural hormone replacement therapy has been proven very effective in many cases. Oprah Winfrey and Suzanne Somers are but two celebrities that have recently touted its benefits.
Hormone Replacement Therapy for Menopause
Many books have been written by Suzanne Somers and how bioidentical hormones relieved her menopause symptoms. She found the treatment to work so well for that she states that she intends to stay on them for the rest of her life. This treatment has been used in many clinics for nearly 25 years and has produced positive results for many women. But, that does not mean it is the right choice for everyone.
Bioidentical hormones: are they right for you?
Women are different and what works for some, might not work as well for others. Some women suffer the side effects of hormone replacement therapy. Treatments need to be customized to an individual's personal needs. They need alternative hormone replacement therapy. Since bioidentical hormone treatments are available in many different forms, and work in different ways, you and your doctor have to find the method that best responds to your unique physiology. Some women have found that they need more support, or different types of support to feel the desired level of relief from menopause symptoms.
What Exactly are bioidentical hormones
Bioidentical hormones are created in the lab to have the same molecular structure as the hormones made by your own body. Whereas, synthetic hormones are intentionally different. Drug companies can not patent a bioidentical structure, so they invent synthetic hormones that are patentable Premarin, Prempro, and Provera being the most widely used examples.
Female Hormone Replacement Therapy
Although bioidentical hormone replacement therapy has been around for many years, most doctors and health care professionals are still unfamiliar with them. And do not realize that the 'normal' practice of 'one size fits all' dosage of typical synthetic hormone replacement therapies are not necessarily going to work very well for all women.
When deciding on appropriate treatment you have to use an individualized approach. You need a clinic where they start with laboratory tests of your hormone levels. This will let the doctor know if and how much of a dosage you need. She can determine if you would be best helped with bioidentical estrogens, testosterone, progesterone or a DHEA formula that is specially prepared by a registered compounding pharmacy. You might need one or a combination of several of these treatments. You will then have to go for regular follow ups to keep your doctor informed as to what is working and what is not. That way the treatments can be altered to your needs to give you the best possible relief of your menopause symptoms.
Bio Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy Methods
Typically, you will begin with hormone tests every three months, and once your hormonal balance is restored to comfortable levels, they will be done once a year. So, when menopause starts, or if it has already begun, talk to your doctor about bioidential hormone replacement therapy to see if it might be right for you. There is even hormone replacement therapy for men.
