Bio-Identical Hormone Therapy (BHRT) can be used to treat men and women when their hormone levels drop or become unbalanced. Bio-identical therapy was originally developed in Europe during the 1900’s. It proved an excellent treatment for hormone deficiencies, especially in menopause. The highly-respected pioneer of endocrinology, Dr. Robert B. Greenblatt, learned about this method and introduced it to his U.S. colleagues in 1939. BHRT are manmade hormones derived from plant estrogens that are chemically identical to those the human body produces. Estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone are among those most commonly replicated and used in treatment. Bioidentical hormones come in various forms, including:
- pills
- troches
- creams
- injections
- pellets
Components of BHRT
Some bioidentical hormones are made by drug companies. Others, known as compounded bioidentical hormones, are custom made by a pharmacy, according to a doctor’s orders. This process is known as compounding. Compounding typically involves ingredients being combined or altered to meet the needs of an individual. Compounded bioidentical hormones are often considered as being safer and more effective than synthetic hormones because they are molecularity similar to our body's hormones.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved some forms of manufactured bioidentical hormones, including bioidentical estradiol and progesterone. However, the FDA hasn’t approved any custom-compounded bioidentical hormones.
Traditional vs. bioidentical
Bioidentical hormones are different from those used in traditional hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in that they’re identical chemically to those our bodies produce naturally and are made from plant estrogens like Wild Yam. The hormones used in traditional HRT are made from the urine of pregnant horses and other synthetic hormones.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF HORMONES TO CHOOSE FROM
Pill or Troche
One option of hormone therapy is by oral route. Hormones can be customized into a daily capsule or troche. A troche is a soft lozenge that contains the hormones. There are pros and cons. With oral supplementation, the pro is that you will not worry about transferring the hormones to anyone close. Such as the cream route, you must avoid contact with others to prevent cross contamination. The cons are: You may have to take a higher dose of hormones because of gut absorption and liver filtration. Everyone's gut absorption is different and hormones may not fully get absorbed. The second con is that all things must be filtered by the liver and about 50% of hormones gets lost. The liver does get overburdened and routine liver function test may be required to monitor liver health. You may find that there is a fluctuation in your symptoms depending on how much hormones are absorbed.
CREAMS AND GELS
PROS: This option allows you to apply the cream or gel to different areas on the body. This way, the hormones gets absorbed directly into the skin and bloodstream bypassing the liver. You do not have to increase your dose and don't have to worry about liver burden as much. The Cons: You must avoid contact with others and wash your hands after each use to prevent the hormones from accidentally transferred to others and or surfaces that others can touch. Another con is that your symptoms will fluctuate because of absorption. Sometimes you may apply more cream and sometimes not enough. You must lastly remember to apply this every day or night.
INJECTABLE BHRT
Injectible hormones commonly used is testosterone cyprionate. The nice thing about injectibles is that it is done once a week and usually are more stable than pills or creams. The only con is having to inject yourself once a week.
Pellet BHRT
WHAT ARE HORMONE PELLETS?
Hormone replacement using pellet implants has been practiced for more than 70 years. Scientific research on the benefits of this therapy has been published in authoritative international journals for decades. Today, practitioners use pellet implants to restore hormonal balance in men and women of all ages. Best of all, they are natural, safe, and effective.
PELLET IMPLANTS: SAFE, EFFECTIVE, CONVENIENT BHRT
When properly administered, the hormone pellet delivery system provides safe and effective BHRT. Pellet therapy remains the only form of delivery that closely mirrors what the human ovaries and testicles do. This method ensures the same steady, around-the-clock, low dosages the body once created. Because it is an implanted pellet,you won’t have to change patches, rub on creams, or remember to take a pill. And you won’t experience the radical surges and drops in blood levels as with other methods. Pellet implants even deliver more when the body needs it – such as during exercise or periods of stress.
PELLET IMPLANTS: THE IDEAL HORMONE DELIVERY SYSTEM
Right Amount of Hormones Creams, pills and patches all deliver inconsistent amounts of hormones unnaturally released into the body in a manner that does not mimic how the body naturally delivers hormones. Pellet delivery system is consistent and ongoing as the body requires it. You don’t have to worry about taking a pill or a patch falling off. Pellets remain the only delivery system that provides steady blood serum levels over time.
Simple & Safe Pellet Insertion Once inserted, a steady, low dose of natural hormone flows directly into the blood stream whenever the body needs it. This gives the body the ability to control the release of the hormone just as it did when the ovaries and testicles were working normally.
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