What Is Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy?
There are two basic kinds of hormone replacement therapy. You’re likely familiar with hormone replacement therapy (HRT) that is in use those lacking some kind of hormone. A doctor will prescribe specific amounts of the missing hormone to supplement their natural bodily processes. Furthermore, the doctor might also prescribe some kind of hormone blocker to reduce a countervailing hormone. However, there is another kind of therapy. That is bio-identical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT).
What Is Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Therapy or BHRT?
Bio-identical hormone replacement therapy involves synthesizing hormones from plant sources that match precisely the hormones manufactured in the human body. They are identical to what your body produces naturally. Proponents of BHRT say that makes it easier for your body to process and use the hormones. Also, that it reduces the chances of side effects.
Standard HRT has some possible side effects; it is not completely clear how those side effects manifest because HRT has not been in use for very long. There are many different theories as to how HRT might affect you. It stands to reason, though, that bio-identical hormones will have fewer negative effects.
What Does BHRT Do?
BHRT has often been used to reduce the effects of menopause. Since menopause involves a slow-down of certain hormones, replacing those hormones somewhat can mitigate the effects of menopause. BHRT has also been used to fight against hair loss in men and women.
Essentially, any illness or ailment that occurs due to a loss of a certain hormone can possibly be treated by replacing that hormone. The bio-identical hormone will most closely resemble the one that you are missing and likely give you the best results without side effects.
Is BHRT Proven?
Bio-identical hormone therapy is in something of a gray area with the American Medical Association and other governing bodies. They do not recognize it yet as a legitimate therapy, but they also do not discredit it. The therapy is too new and the processes too cutting-edge for there to be long-term studies. It is only in recent years that scientists have been able to extract many of the bio-identical hormones. Furthermore, it is sometimes difficult to study the effects in humans because ethics limit a scientist’s options.