For many men and women going through menopause or andropause, treatments have been quite limited in the past. Today, with the availability of bioidentical hormones, Pandora’s Box has been opened. There are many women who have gone through menopause and have suffered from a variety of physical and emotional problems during this period. Symptoms such as headaches, hot flashes, weight gain, night sweats, dry skin, or loss of libido are common and very unpleasant. These symptoms can last between 2 and 5 years.
Now, there is no need to go through this agony. Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy is widely used in Europe to treat women and men who have declining levels of sex hormones. There are many testimonials and clinical reports showing that short-term use of bioidentical hormones is safe and effective.
Bioidentical hormones are similar to natural hormones produced in the body; the only difference is that bioidentical hormones are extracted from certain plants. Unlike many synthetic sex hormones, bioidentical hormones contain no chemicals or preservatives.
Taking bioidentical hormones is a personal decision. There are some easy saliva and blood tests that can quickly tell if your sex hormones are low. If one has symptoms of menopause or andropause, a visit to a doctor who deals with bioidentical hormone therapy is recommended.
The good thing about these hormones is that they can be tailored to each individual. Once decreased sex hormone deficiency is identified, the doctor can prescribe the exact dosage required. The pharmacist can then mix the bioidentical hormones in the correct dosages.
To date, most experts agree that short-term bioidentical hormones are safe. They may even help protect against osteoporosis and heart attacks. Unopposed estrogens in postmenopausal women can induce cancers of the breast and uterus. All women who intend to take bioidentical hormone replacement therapy should have a detailed discussion about this with their health care provider. There is also a lot of information on the Internet on this topic.
While these hormones can be purchased without a prescription in other parts of the world (for example, Mexico), this should be avoided. The quality and quantity of bioidentical hormones is questionable and cannot always be verified.
In the US, bioidentical hormones are readily available but require a prescription. Many alternative health professionals recommend these products. In the end, it is a security issue. As more studies become available, more doctors will learn that bioidentical hormones are as safe as any other drug, as long as they are not abused or taken for long periods of time.