Both females and males experience changes to the sex hormones with age, known as menopause and andropause. Menopause affects women, and andropause is the male equivalent of menopause. Both natural phenomenons can bring about a range of undesirable symptoms due to hormonal imbalances. Hormone therapy can help reduce these symtpoms and bring out a better you. Keep reading to learn how BHRT can help you with menopause and andropause symptoms.
One of the most effective solutions to address menopause and andropause symptoms is bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT). Here’s everything you need to know about BHRT and how the treatment can alleviate hormonal imbalance symptoms. From understanding the basics of BHRT to examining its benefits, we will uncover why this therapy is gaining popularity as a holistic alternative to traditional hormone replacement treatments.
The Role Hormones Play
Hormones are chemicals in the endocrine system that send messages from the brain to tissues and organs to keep bodily functions running smoothly. These include metabolism, heart rate, libido, reproductive development, growth, moods, and weight.
As we age, the natural production of hormones decreases, causing emotional and visible effects like fatigue, skin aging, a reduction in muscle mass, mood swings, and hair loss. As the sex hormones estrogen (estradiol), progesterone, and testosterone lessen, shifts in bone health, protein synthesis, and muscle mass transpire in both sexes.
Menopause and Andropause
Menopause occurs in female patients around midlife and marks the end of the menstrual cycle, accompanied by estrogen dips. Estrogen-supported skin components like fat, elastin, and collagen levels change, causing skin thinning, wrinkles, and dry skin. Chronic inflammation during menopause can also be attributed to low estrogen because estrogen regulates the immune system.
Men also experience hormone changes as they age. Unlike menopause, this shift results in a gradual decrease in testosterone which can affect muscle tone and mass changes, low libido and erectile dysfunction, low energy levels, depression, skin health decline, and musculoskeletal deficiencies.
What is BHRT?
BHRT aims to restore hormonal balance by providing the body with hormones as identical as possible to those naturally produced. Unlike synthetic hormones, bioidentical hormones are plant-derived sources and closely resemble hormones in the body. The most commonly used types of hormones used in BHRT include estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone, which regulate various bodily functions, such as sexual health, weight maintenance, metabolism, mood, skin, hair growth, and bone density.
Anti-aging BHRT therapies allow you to reclaim age-related hormonal changes. Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy uses hormones most similar to those produced by the body to slow the adverse effects of aging. However, BHRT is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Customization is essential so that you receive the right types and doses of hormones to improve your specific symptoms.
How BHRT Works for Menopause Symptoms
Menopause typically occurs in women ages 55 and older and signifies the end of your menstrual period and a decline in hormone production. Common symptoms of menopause include:
- Hot flashes and night sweats
- Mood swings and irritability
- Fatigue and insomnia
- Vaginal dryness and sexual discomfort
- A lack of energy
- Dry skin
BHRT can help with menopause symptoms by restoring hormone levels that decline during menopause, providing relief from various symptoms. BHRT is a safe treatment for alleviating menopause symptoms, with research that shows promising results. BHRT treatments must be personalized to meet your specific needs, with hormone levels monitored and adjusted over time to optimize results.
How BHRT Works for Andropause Symptoms
Just like how BHRT helps ease menopause symptoms, it is equally as effective in restoring a healthy hormonal balance in men experiencing symptoms of andropause. In men, andropause refers to the age-related decline in testosterone levels and the accompanying symptoms that can occur.
Implementing BHRT to reduce andropause-related signs can improve common issues like:
- Decreased libido and sexual function
- Fatigue and loss of energy
- Mood changes and depression
- Reduced muscle mass and strength
Improvement in Hormonal Imbalance Symptoms
With BHRT, there can be a significant increase in bothersome symptoms resulting from menopause and andropause. It’s important to know that BHRT takes some time to yield results, and for the results to be maintained, you’ll need to be consistent with the treatment.
BHRT can effectively reduce or even eliminate symptoms that women going through menopause experience hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, fatigue, decreased libido, vaginal dryness, and sleep disturbances. By restoring your natural hormone levels to a more balanced state, BHRT helps you regain your quality of life and overall well-being. Because BHRT is a personalized treatment, it should always be tailored to your unique needs and be based on your specific symptoms, hormone levels, and overall health. BHRT aims to restore hormonal balance by supplementing deficient hormones or regulating hormone levels that have become imbalanced. This approach helps address the underlying cause of symptoms and promotes optimal functioning of the body’s systems regulated by hormones.
BHRT includes estrogen therapy for women and testosterone therapy for men, which can positively affect bone health. Estrogen helps maintain bone density in women, and testosterone plays a similar role in men. BHRT can help reduce the risk of osteoporosis and fractures by preserving bone density and strength. There is also an effect on cardiovascular health, helping maintain healthy blood vessels and cholesterol levels to reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke.
Hormonal imbalances during menopause and andropause can impact cognitive function, leading to memory lapses, difficulty concentrating, and mood changes. BHRT, particularly estrogen therapy for women and testosterone therapy for men, has been associated with potential cognitive benefits, including improved memory, focus, and mental clarity.
By addressing hormonal imbalances and relieving associated symptoms, BHRT can significantly enhance the quality of life for individuals experiencing menopause or andropause. Reduced symptoms can lead to increased energy, improved mood, better sleep, enhanced sexual function, and overall greater satisfaction and well-being.
