Hormone Replacement Therapy for Women
Well, the time has come. You are no longer able or willing to let the Night-sweats, Hot Flashes and Brain Fog take over your life. You are a professional woman and you have, excuse my french, "shit to do!" You probably have suspected for a while that your hormones are imbalanced. You've done your research and now it's time to book a telehealth appointment with a Hormone Replacement Therapy doctor to determine your options.
Hormone Replacement Therapy
It's important to note that while conventional HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy) formulations are mass-produced and available in standardized doses. BHRT (Bioidentical HRT) formulations often customized by compounding pharmacies based on an individual's specific hormonal needs. The choice of formulation is influenced by factors such as patient preference, the specific hormones being used, and the desired mode of administration. Individuals considering hormone therapy should work closely with their healthcare providers to determine the most appropriate formulation based on their health needs.
Hormone Replacement Therapy Options
Topical Creams and Gels - Applied to the skin, for absorption into your bloodstream
Transdermal Patches - These deliver hormones through the skin over a specified period of time
Sublingual (Under the Tongue) Tablets - Dissolve under the tongue for absorption
Pellets - small implants place just beneath the top layer of skin that release hormones gradually over time
Oral Capsules or Pills - Taken orally for systemic absorption
You and your doctor will have conversations around your symptoms, family history and personal history. Together you will determine if HRT or Hormone Replacement Therapy is right for you. Today many doctors and their patients are choosing to use Bioidentical Hormone Replacement options.
Hormone Replacement Therapy Bioidentical
Bioidentical Hormones are hormones that are structurally identical to the hormones naturally produced in the body. "Bio" means life and "Identical" means the same or having the same form. Bioidentical Hormones are created to be molecularly identical to the hormones our bodies used to produce when we were younger. Bioidentical Hormones are different that the synthetic hormones that our mothers took. Bioidenticals come from yams or soy and are modified to match the structure of hormones like estrogen, progesterone, or testosterone. This type of HRT is thought and believed by some practitioners to offer a more natural approach, with a goal of minimizing side effects yet achieving hormonal balance.
Many of the Bioidentical hormones prescribed today are compounded. In essence, this means that the hormones were created and tailored to an individual's needs. Compounding Pharmacies prepare medications by combining, mixing, or altering the ingredients to create a formulation that is not commercially available in a standard dosage. Your doctor will make the decision of whether a standard version and dosage is right for you or if a compounded formulation would provide you a better outcome.
Hormone Replacement Therapy online
You have options when it comes to how you go about seeking Bioidentical Hormone Therapy. Of course, you can speak to your Gynecologist or your GP. Assuming that conversation goes well, and you are heard, you can begin your therapy within weeks. If you happen to be one of the unlucky ones whose doctor dismisses your symptoms and you don't feel heard, what's a woman to do?
In this post-Covid era of telehealth being such a convenient option, you can search the web for a provider who is licensed in your state. Some will require blood tests and others will go primarily from the symptoms that you are experiencing. Be sure to have a list of questions before the on-line appointment so you can be prepared when the time comes. Within your list of questions should be what options they offer as it pertains to the different formulations of Bioidentical Hormones. Some people do well with the patch, others do better with the creams. It may be a bit of a trial and error until you find a regime that works well for you. You'll also want to know the expected benefits and any known risks.
How common are Bioidentical Hormones?
According to the Mayo Clinic's article titled, "Bioidentical Hormones," there are approximately 1-2.5 million women in the U.S. over age 40 using compounded Bioidentical Hormones. Estrogen and Progesterone replacement therapy prescriptions account for 40.1% share of the total HRT segment. Hormone Replacement Therapy drugs have an expected growth rate CAGR 6.1% from 2020 to 2027.
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