As you get older, your body begins producing less and less estrogen until you no longer experience your menstrual cycle. This natural, normal stage of life is known as menopause. You will know you are in menopause when you have not had a menstrual cycle in twelve months. Unfortunately, this process is often associated with several years of symptoms ranging from mildly uncomfortable to severely debilitating. But if you are experiencing moderate to severe menopause symptoms, bioidentical hormone replacement therapy might be a viable option for you. This post will explore what effects menopause has on your body and how BHRT may alleviate symptoms at several menopausal stages.
How Does Menopause Affect Your Body?
Eight to ten years before menopause, you begin to experience perimenopause, marked by drops in estrogen. Your estrogen levels may fluctuate, leading to irregular periods. Symptoms of perimenopause include:
- Heavier or lighter periods than usual
- Worse premenstrual syndrome symptoms
- Weight gain
- Changes in hair
- Headaches
- Lower sex drive
- Poor concentration
- Forgetfulness
- More frequent urinary tract infections
You officially enter the menopause stage when you have not had a period for 12 months. Since your estrogen levels are much lower, you may experience symptoms such as:
- Hot flashes
- Night sweats
- Chills
- Thinning hair
- Vaginal dryness and irritation
- Slower metabolism
- Mood shifts
Many women experience menopause after 45, but many others experience this process much earlier for various reasons. For example, your family may have a history of early menopause or you may have undergone a hysterectomy.
How Can BHRT Help?
You do not need to go to a doctor to be diagnosed with perimenopause or menopause. However, you might question whether or not you are in menopause, especially if you are below the age of 45. Many hormone imbalance symptoms can fit under other reproductive conditions. In this case, your provider can give you a blood test to determine your estrogen levels.
If your estrogen levels are low and your symptoms are unmanageable, you may decide to receive BHRT. This hormone therapy will deliver low doses of estrogen for the shortest amount of time possible. Simpatra providers specifically design your treatment plan this way to help mitigate side effects and complications.
You may have heard about traditional hormone replacement therapy for menopause treatment. While some experience success with this therapy, conventional HRT is not a great option for everyone. Many women undergo adverse side effects, such as:
- Headaches
- Mood swings
- Fluid retention
- Acne
- Nausea
The advantage of bioidentical hormones is that they match your body’s hormones exactly. As a result, many patients report fewer side effects. Research even suggests that BHRT may decrease your risk of bone loss and other chronic diseases in the long run.
Find a BHRT Provider
Our database can help you search for a bioidentical hormone provider in your city and state. If you believe you are a candidate, you can first take our assessment here. If you have any questions about BHRT or want to schedule a consultation, feel free to reach out to a Simpatra provider in your area.