So what is all the buzz about bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT), some call “natural hormones,” or what I like to call “human identical hormones?” I’m going to give you a short, yet hopefully informative overview of this topic.
First, BHRT has been used for many years. Yet it was not until Suzanne Summers started writing books about it that it became popular. I’m grateful that she publicized it to the general public, but some of the information that she has written, has done a disservice. Some of the information she gives is inaccurate. Thus, many physicians have avoided the use of BHRT.
Bioidentical hormones are identical to those hormones produced in our body. They differ from the synthetic hormones (ie. Premarin and others) in their structure. Research is showing they do not cause many of the harmful side effects of synthetic hormones. Many of these BHRT hormones are FDA approved (ie. Prometrium, Estradiol, and others). Those that are FDA approved can be prescribed by your physician and dispensed at any pharmacy. Other forms of these “human identical” hormones are made into a cream or pellet.
Who can evaluate you and provide a presciption for these medication or place these pellets? They are generally prescribed by family medicine and Ob/Gyn physicians. Unfortunately, many have no formal training in BHRT and are doing “cookbook treatment.” They have little experience with the complexities of hormone replacement and the many interactions they can have in the human body. Your physician should have extensive knowledge of how hormones work in the female body. Dr. Lee has received personal training from Dr. Erika Schwartz, a leading expert in bioidentical/natural hormone therapy.
If you are a woman that is suffering from symptoms such as hot flashes, lack of energy, loss of libido, depression, or weight changes, then BHRT has been shown to improve your sense of health and well-being. If you are a male that has symptoms of lack of energy, poor sleep, weight gain, decreased erections, foggy thinking then bioidentical testosterone pellets can revitalize your health.
