BIO-IDENTICAL HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY
Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) uses plant-derived hormones for the treatment of perimenopause and menopause symptoms.
Hormones are incredibly powerful, naturally-occurring substances in your body. They give out such strong signals that hormones can affect every cell in your body. It shouldn’t be surprising that if your hormones aren’t in balance, we can experience an amazing number of unpleasant symptoms, including depression, lack of appetite, and decreased sex drive.
If you are experiencing symptoms such as hot flashes, irritability, anxiety, vaginal dryness, interrupted sleep and low libido, Bio-identical HRT may help!
Hormone replacement therapy (or HRT) at Vitalia Vancouver analyzes your exact hormone levels and determines how to balance them, should any levels be too low or too high. It also considers what other factors there may be in your life, including diet and overall health, that may also affect your hormones.
Hormone replacement therapy is very unique for each woman. At Vitalia Health Care INC in Vancouver, we take a customized approach when developing a treatment plan to address the symptoms of declining hormones. The form of both Estrogen and Progesterone, the delivery method and the dosing is unique for each woman.
Numerous studies over recent years have found Bio-identical hormones to be safer than synthetic hormones.
A 2009 publication review stated the following: “Physiological data and clinical outcomes demonstrate that bioidentical hormones are associated with lower risks, including the risk of breast cancer and cardiovascular disease, and are more efficacious than their synthetic and animal-derived counterparts. Until evidence is found to the contrary, bioidentical hormones remain the preferred method of HRT”
SYNTHETIC VS BIO-IDENTICAL HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY
There are two forms of hormones, those that are synthetic, that is, created chemically to match those in your body, or those that are biologically-identical, meaning they have the same makeup as those produced naturally in and by your body. Due to our commitment to your health, Vitalia uses only biologically-identical hormones for our HRT, helping you find a healthy balance in your life.
Synthetic hormones are animal derived and not biologically the same as the hormones produced by the body. These include Conjugated Equine Estrogens (CEE) and Medroxyprogesterone Acetate and other synthetic Progestins.
Bio-identical Hormones are plant derived. Plant sources include wild yam or soybean plant. They are biologically identical to the hormones produced by your body. They are available both commercially and compounded in patches, gels, creams, pellets, suppositories or capsules.
TYPES OF BIO-IDENTICAL HORMONES AVAILABLE IN CANADA
Bio-identical Hormones require a prescription from a licensed physician. The Vancouver Naturopathic Physicians at Vitalia Health Care INC are trained and highly experienced in prescribing Bio-identical HRT.
(Estrogen) Estradiol is available in the following forms in Canada
Progesterone is available in the following forms in Canada:
WHAT IS HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY APPROVED FOR?
The FDA Approved indications for Hormone Replacement Therapy include the following:
There is also data available that shows hormone replacement therapy may offer protective benefits for the heart, the brain and for diabetes prevention.
ENDOCRINE SOCIETY GUIDELINES include the following:
Benefits exceeds the risks for most symptomatic women < 60 yo or < 10 years from menopause.
Current evidence does not justify HRT to prevent heart disease, breast cancer or dementia. However there is a growing amount of research that shows a protective benefit of Bio-identical HRT for the heart and the brain.
HRT decreases the risk of diabetes by 14-19%
There was a 30% risk reduction in all cause mortality, fracture, diabetes and breast cancer for women starting HRT for < 10 years since menopause and aged < 60 years old.
NORTH AMERICAN MENOPAUSE SOCIETY POSITION STATEMENT
The absolute risk for HT use in healthy women ages 50-59 are low, but can include thrombosis, stroke and cardiovascular events.
Data shows reduced Coronary Heart Disease in women who initiate HRT aged < 60 years of age and/or within 10 years of menopause onset.
Hormone therapy is not approved for enhancing quality of life (QOL) but may substantially improve health related QOL in symptomatic women
Benefits are likely to outweigh risks for symptomatic women who initiate HRT < 60 years of age or within 10 years of menopause.
For women who initiate hormone therapy more than 10 or 20 years from menopause onset or aged 60 years and older, the benefit-risk ratio appears less favorable than for younger women.
Schedule an AppointmentWHAT DOES THE RESEARCH SAY:
International menopause society interview on WHI with Dr Robert Langer MD
IS BIO-IDENTICAL HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY RIGHT FOR ME?
HRT is most commonly used in treating the symptoms of menopause. Menopause is the time in a woman’s life in late middle age when her period stops and her body beings to shift away from fertility. This is associated with a number of symptoms, including hot flashes and vaginal dryness. Hormone replacement therapy can dramatically relieve these symptoms. In a similar vein, it may also help prevent osteoporosis, another concern of women above a certain age.
When HRT is used specifically in response to symptoms of menopause, it is important to distinguish that it is not being used for disease prevention. Your Naturopathic Doctor can help you determine how HRT can fit into your overall health regimen, and how it can balance with any other issues you face with your general wellbeing. Our Vancouver Naturopathic Doctors will monitor ongoing hormone levels and factors such as blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease screening on an ongoing basis to insure that your HRT does the maximum benefit while minimizing any side effects.
Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) can be an effective solution for women experiencing the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause. Some women say “ I just don’t feel like myself anymore”. If this is how you feel, BHRT may help!
BHRT is approved for the treatment of hot flashes, vaginal dryness and to reduce the risk of osteoporosis.
