Traditionally, women are treated simply with estrogen therapy for their menopausal symptoms.

However, treatment has become more complex as hormone restoration therapy doesn’t only apply to women. Men often experience hormone imbalances and subsequent symptoms too, which are sometimes referred to as “Andropause”.

Hormone restoration therapy and corresponding lab monitoring should be considered when experiencing such symptoms.

Fortunately, there are now options available to get health and life back on track. One of them is Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy or BHRT.

BHRT or Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy can be used to treat men and women when their hormone levels drop and imbalanced. BHRT, also known as bioidentical hormone therapy or natural hormone therapy, is the use of hormones that are identical on a molecular level with endogenous hormones in hormone replacement therapy. It may also be combined with blood and saliva testing of hormone levels, and the use of pharmacy compounding to obtain hormones in an effort to reach a targeted level of hormones in the body¹.

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 usually sourced from either yam or soy. The hormones used in traditional HRT are made from the urine of pregnant horses and other synthetic hormones.

The ideal process then for achieving hormonal balance includes: an assessment of hormone levels: complete evaluation of signs and symptoms; replacement of the deficient hormones in the most appropriate dose via the most effective route; and the monitoring to fine tuning of therapy.

Estrogens, progesterone, and androgens are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to achieving hormonal balance. Thyroid and adrenal function, as well as nutritional status, should also be evaluated and treated when indicated¹. The uniqueness of each person makes it incumbent upon health care professionals and patients to work together to customize hormone therapy. Through this cooperation, hormones can be compounded in the required strengths and dosages, and administered via the most appropriate preparation to best meet each individual’s needs.

This is a weak form of estrogen and the only type found in women after the menopause. Small amounts of estrone are present in most tissues of the body, mainly fat and muscle. The body can convert estrone to estradiol and estradiol to estrone.

Estradiol is an estrogen steroid hormone and the major female sex hormone. It is responsible for the development of female secondary sexual characteristics such as the breast, widening of hips, and a female-associated pattern of fat distribution and is important in the development and maintenance of female reproductive tissues such as the mammary glands, uterus and vagina during puberty, adulthood and pregnancy. It is used by women to help reduce the symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes and vagina dryness.

This is the weakest of the estrogens and is a waste product made after the body uses estradiol. Pregnancy is the only time at which significant amounts of estriol are made. Estriol cannot be converted to estradiol or estrone.

Synthesized and secreted by the ovaries and adrenals, it supports pregnancy raises epidermal growth factor 1 levels, increases core temperature during ovulation, relaxes smooth muscles, reduces gall bladder activity, normalizes blood clotting and vascular tone and assists in thyroid function.

It is a hormone produced by your body's adrenal glands. These are glands just above your kidneys. DHEA strengthens the immune system. It also slows natural changes in the body that come with age, providing more energy, improving mood and memory, and building up bone and muscle strength.

Is the principle male sex hormone that promotes masculine features in men. It decreases the symptoms of the male menopause and is also a natural anabolic steroid. However, women also produce testosterone and it is very important to many aspects of their health and physiology.

In both men and women, testosterone enhances libido, decreases body fat and increases muscle strength, helping to counteract lethargy and depression. It also maintains bone density and protects against osteoporosis.

Mother of all hormones. Improves energy, vision, memory, clarity of thinking, well-being, and often sexual enjoyment or libido. It may be considered a good brain enhancer in those who are deficient.