 Hormones - Who Needs Them? |
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Bio-identical hormones are all the craze these days. No doubt you have heard the name, know someone who uses them, or maybe even use them yourself. But what are they? Where do they come from? Who needs them? Are they safe?
We all have hormones, and we all need hormones to survive. Cortisol, DHEA, Estrogen, Progesterone, and Testosterone are just some of the hormones that are present in the human body. Each of these hormones have multiple functions in the body, ranging from waking us up in the morning, giving us energy and stamina, providing anti-inflammatory benefits, enhancing our immune system function, regulating menstrual cycles, protecting our cardiovascular system, preventing heart disease, aiding in bone growth, improving muscle strength and body composition, sustaining healthy sex drives, etc.
The normal aging process and certain medical conditions in the body can create imbalances in these hormones, which then lead to dysfunction in their actions. This is when we begin to experience symptoms. Whether they are symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, menopause, andropause, poly cystic ovary syndrome, depression, migraines, or sexual dysfunction, bio-identical hormone replacement therapy may provide relief.
Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) has actually been around for over 25 years. However, it has just been in the past 6-7 years that the concept and the name have become more known and sought after by the public. A few reasons for this are: the increasing numbers of “baby boomers” that are reaching the age when hormone levels are declining; the desire of our society to stay young in how we look and feel; and the fact that we are continuing to learn the negative side effects of the conventional, synthetic hormone replacement therapies (Premarin, Prempro, etc).
Some of these negative side effects were shockingly determined during the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) study. The WHI study was a 15 year, $725 million study that ended three years early in 2002 because it was determined that women taking conventional, synthetic hormones (Premarin, etc) were at a higher risk for developing breast cancer, heart disease, and numerous other health problems. At that time, thousands of women were told to stop their hormone replacement therapy because it was harmful and risky, but they were not given any alternatives or educated about any other options. Since then, many women have been unnecessarily suffering from menopausal symptoms with no where to turn.
Well, those days are over. There are alternatives. Healthy alternatives. Safe alternatives. Alternatives that work. The alternative is Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Therapy.
Bio-identical hormones are hormones that are structurally identical to the hormones that we produce in our own bodies. Because they are identical, these hormones exactly mimic what your body produces on its own (or used to produce on its own), so there are much fewer (if any) negative side effects. Bio-identical hormones are prepared in a laboratory from natural sources, usually soy or wild yam. Because our bodies cannot change soy &/or wild yam into hormones directly, these steps need to be performed in the lab in order to produce hormones that are structurally identical to those found in our bodies. Once these hormones are produced, we can use them to replace the missing hormones in our bodies in the exact amounts that we naturally produce them, and in the correct rhythms and patterns that our bodies naturally produce them. This is what Bio-identical Hormone Replacement is.
BHRT is not limited to menopausal females. It is currently possible to produce bio-identical forms of estrogens (there are 3 main forms in humans), progesterone, pregnenolone, DHEA, cortisol, and testosterone. Because both males and females have differing amounts of all of these hormones in their bodies, BHRT is highly effective and beneficial for females and males.
BHRT is also not limited to treating the typical “hormonal” conditions that you know it is good for. BHRT can also be beneficial for treatment of many other health conditions, such as: Acne, headaches/migraines, fatigue, anxiety, depression, low libido, insomnia, osteopenia/osteoporosis, body aches/pains, memory/focus/concentration difficulties, hair loss, and incontinence.
So, if you are experiencing any of the above symptoms &/or any of the “typical” hormonal symptoms, maybe it’s time you explored your options. Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Therapy might be just what you need to feel healthy again. For more information on BHRT, visit www.biohrt.com.
- Dr. Roxie Strand NMD
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-- January NewsletterPost Hysterectomy Fitness and Health is the theme of our January, 2012 newsletter at HysterSisters.com. Visit this link [ More]...
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