Bioidentical hormone therapy balances the body's hormonal imbalance with hormones. The bioidentical hormones derived from plants are particularly suitable for women going through the menopause. They correspond to the body's own hormones as they have the same structure. Compared to synthetic hormones, bioidentical hormones have fewer side effects.
Below you will find further information and specialists for bioidentical hormone therapy.
Bioidentical hormone therapy has several areas of application. It is most commonly used for menopausal symptoms. During the menopause, a woman's body undergoes major changes. The ovaries stop producing progesterone and oestrogen. These changes lead to symptoms such as
Up to 85 percent of all menopausal women suffer from hot flushes @ fizkes /AdobeStockHormone replacement therapy has been around since the 1960s. The treatment goes back to the American doctor John R. Lee. At the beginning of the menopause, the balance of oestrogen and progesterone changes. The progesterone level drops more quickly.
Hormones are bioidentical if they have the same structure as those of the human body. Bioidentical hormones fit seamlessly into the hormonal cycle. They can therefore balance the hormonal balance in the event of menopausal symptoms.
Plants are the starting material for bioidentical hormones. However, the hormones cannot be obtained entirely from nature. In order to produce bioidentical hormones, experts must first extract a raw material from plants (soy, Mexican yam). They then convert this raw material into the corresponding hormones in the laboratory.
Treatment with bioidentical hormones can be carried out in various ways.
Oestrogen inhibits bone resorption and is involved in building up the lining of the uterus.
A lack of oestrogen leads to
Progesterone is also known as the "feel-good hormone". It has a calming effect and ensures healthy sleep. Today it is assumed that around 90 percent of menopausal symptoms are due to a progesterone deficiency.
A progesterone deficiency can manifest itself in the following ways:
In menopausal women, reduced estrogen levels affect the quality of sleep @ dark_blade /AdobeStockPCO syndrome is a hormonal disorder in which a woman produces too many male hormones (androgens). PCO stands for polycystic ovaries. Around four to ten percent of all women of childbearing age suffer from PCO syndrome.
If the syndrome remains untreated, the following complications occur:
Today, bioidentical hormones are used in the treatment of PCO syndrome. The hormones are low-dose and individually tailored to the patient.
Bioidentical hormone therapy is not a short-term treatment. If the patient and doctor agree on such therapy, the desired improvement occurs after a few days.
Hormone therapy usually lasts two to five years. The doctor reduces the prescribed dose over a longer period of time. It is not advisable to stop the therapy abruptly.
Most women tolerate treatment with bioidentical hormones very well. Bleeding similar to menstruation may occur.
Some women find this bleeding bothersome and discontinue hormone therapy. Studies have shown that bioidentical hormone therapy cannot prevent age-related diseases.
It also increases the likelihood of the following diseases:
Because of these risks, you need to think carefully about hormone therapy. Whether a woman decides for or against bioidentical hormone therapy is an extremely personal matter.
The doctor can dose the hormones so low that both discomfort and the risk of side effects are minimized.
Bioidentical hormones correspond in their structure to the body's own hormones and fit into the hormonal cycle. They are primarily used to treat symptoms during the menopause. However, they are also helpful for other complaints.
Women can take bioidentical hormones orally, as a cream, gel or through the skin. When taken orally, the dose is higher as the liver breaks down a large proportion of the hormones immediately.
Bioidentical hormones are better tolerated than synthetichormones. However, you should be aware of the side effects.
