Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy - A Look under the Hood

The human body we know is the most complex piece of machinery known to man. Try as he may, man has not been able to fully explain every aspect of this complex machine. There are many different components that make the human body function with precision and accuracy. One of these components are hormones.

Hormones are chemicals that are better known as messengers produced in the endocrine glands and secreted straight into the blood stream from where they are transported to the parts of the body where they affect the functions of that part of the body. These functions range from breathing, reproduction to growth and other very important and necessary body functions.

These hormones are required to be in a balanced proportion in the body. If at any point they become imbalanced, the body could begin to have problems. This is where bioidentical hormone replacement therapy comes in.

Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy is a type of hormone replacement therapy that uses supplemental hormones that are chemically similar to the hormones that are produced naturally in the body. A little history here would help us understand this concept of bioidentical hormones better.

Sometime in 1966 a doctor named Robert A. Wilson published a book in which he proposed a solution to the problem of menopause. He claimed that women could remain feminine forever. His prescription was the administration of estrogen to menopausal women. This was supposed to tackle the underlying cause of menopause which is hormone based.

This treatment progressed until a side effect was found. It was found that this treatment led to the growth of the uterine lining which meant an increase in the risk of cancer. As a way of combating this, doctors recommended that progesterone be added to the treatment to protect the uterus.

This was the best traditional hormone therapy had to offer. It is important to note here that all the supplemental hormones used (estrogen and progesterone) were not bioidentical to hormones produced naturally in the human body. It would not be surprising then to know that horrible side effects were to be later associated with this treatment. A summary of these side effects are an increase in the risk of breast cancer, heart and stroke.

Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) came as an answer to the problems associated with traditional hormone replacement therapy. Unlike its traditional counterpart, BHRT utilizes supplemental hormones that have the same molecular structure as the hormones produced naturally in the body. This is why these hormones are said to be Bioidentical. Being this way, the body is easily tricked into accepting these hormones the same way it does the ones produced naturally in it because it cannot tell the difference. The hormones are therefore better metabolized by the body.

Over the years, studies have been carried out to ascertain the safety levels of BHRT. The tests have shown lower risk levels and in some cases a preventive effect on body against some cancers.

BHRT is safe and effective. The focus in this type of therapy is the entire wellbeing of a patient. This is why each patient's treatment is specific to their needs. From the results of the tests carried out by a qualified BHRT doctor, prescriptions that address the specific needs of each patient are prepared sometimes with the help of a compounding pharmacy.

Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy is THE answer to hormonal imbalance. Safe, non-invasive and effective, anyone suffering from conditions brought about by hormonal imbalance can now get the much needed treatment and relief.