
Dr. Shah's Wellness Medical Clinic
& Thyroid Treatment Centre
Integrating Traditional and Alternative Medicine for Better Health
Hormone Replacement
Bio Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy for Women
Hormonal balance at mid-life may be the key to achieving better health and maintaining vitality for extended quality of life. For some women, they feel this balance has a price if they choose conventional synthetic hormone replacement therapy. The fear of breast and endometrial cancer, unwanted menstrual periods and the side effects that sometimes accompany the use of synthetic hormones often stops women from using these hormones. More and more women are choosing natural bio-identical hormones, as well as herbs, minerals, vitamins, diet, exercise and lifestyle changes to achieve this balance.
Hormones change throughout a women’s life-cycle, from puberty to menopause. These hormonal changes can cause many problems and be most disruptive. Most women notice slight changes in their 30’s, with progressive complaints into their 40’s and 50’s:
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Missed or irregular periods
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Increased fatigue
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PMS, bloating, water retention
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Emotional changes - irritability and mood swings
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Unexplained weight gain
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Insomnia
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Night sweats
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Hot flushes
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Breast tenderness
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Vaginal dryness
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Reduced sexual desire (libido)
Goals of Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
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Re-establish a hormonal balance and alleviate the symptoms caused by the natural decrease in production of hormones by the body.
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Give the protective benefits which were originally provided by naturally occurring hormones.
The goal of HRT is to provide an adequate supply of the deficient hormone in a form that is as close as possible to that which the body originally produced, therefore resulting in normal physiologic effects. Bio-identical HRT can be compounded in the needed strength and dosage form and administered via the most appropriate rout e meet each individual’s needs. Close monitoring is essential to ensure that appropriate dosage adjustments are made.
The use of natural hormones and phytoestrogens have become very popular for women seeking hormonal balance. They can help restore a normal hormonal balance that is most essential to a woman’s good health and well being. Balancing a woman’s hormones is more of an art than a science, as every woman is different. Combination of natural hormones and other appropriate diet and life-style changes may offer an alternative to conventional hormone replacement therapy. This combined with a holistic approach can be a safe alternative.