Hormone related symptoms during the feminine life cycle:
- Dysmenorrhea (cramps)
- Vaginal thinning/dryness
- Premenstrual syndrome
- Painful intercourse
- Infertility/Endometriosis
- Hot flashes
- Irregular periods
- Night sweats
- Fibrocystic breast
- Depression
- Premenopausal
- Memory lapses
- Weight gain
- Insomnia
- Mood swings
- Heart disease
- Reduced libido
- Osteoporosis
There are typically three types of hormones prescribed for BHRT. They are progesterone, androgens, and estrogen. BHRT is made of natural progesterone, androgens and estrogen as single or multiple-ingredient prescriptions. Because these hormones cannot be patented, the larger drug companies have shown little to no interest in the development and marketing of bioidentical products.
Androgens
Testosterone, an androgen hormone, is an important hormone in women and men. It is important to the integrity of skin, muscle, and bone. It can also protect against osteoporosis, obesity. and diabetes – as well as loss of immune function.
Testosterone’s role in hormone replacement therapy:
- Enhances libido
- Improves energy level and mental alertness
- Increases lean muscle mass and loss of excessive fat
- Enhances bone building (through increased calcium retention)
- Provides cardiovascular protection (through lower cholesterol)
Estrogen
Estrogen refers to a group of related hormones, each with a unique activity. The three main estrogens women produce are: Estrone (E-1 ), Estradiol (E-2) and Estriol (E-3). Estrogen’s role in hormone replacement therapy:
- Relief of menopausal symptoms, by reestablishing normal balance
- Reducing bone Loss
- Increasing HDL (“good” cholesterol) while decreasing LDL (“bad” cholesterol)
- Aid in decreasing blood pressure and reducing plaque in the arteries
- Improves mood, energy levels and sleep patterns, as well as improving memory and cognitive function
- Reducing the severity of, or the risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes
Progesterone
Progesterone is one of several sex hormones made by the human body. As women enter menopause, their levels of progesterone and other sex hormones decrease. This often leads to unwanted symptoms such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness , breast tenderness, low libido, depression, anxiety, food cravings, insomnia, cramps, emotional swings, weight gain and bloating.
Progesterone’s role in hormone replacement therapy:
- Aids in the function of thyroid hormone
- Helps enhance energy and sex drive
- Reduces the risk of heart attacks in postmenopausal women through cardiovascular protection
- Protects against breast cancer and endometrial cancer
