Natural Hormone Replacement Therapy uses bioidentical hormones, rather than synthetic hormones, which are used in conventional treatments, such as Provera or Premarin. Bioidentical hormones are derived from plants and used to treat hormonal imbalances in men and women, including estrogen, testosterone or progesterone.
NHRT is effective for relieving symptoms of hormonal imbalances, which can occur at any age, but are most common in middle age. Low hormone levels have been associated with increased risk of health conditions, including heart disease, cancer, bone loss and Alzheimer’s disease.
Estrogen, progesterone and testosterone are known as sex hormones and these hormones all decline with age. For women, progesterone levels drop when women stop ovulating. The balance of estrogen and progesterone becomes out of balance.
There are several benefits of NHRT for low testosterone levels in men. When treated with bioidentical hormones for low testosterone, men often experience increased energy, productivity, sex drive and muscle mass.
For both men and women, the use of bioidentical hormones in NHRT is effective because the body doesn’t distinguish between the hormones given in therapy and the hormones that the body naturally produces. For this reason, the bioidentical hormones and natural hormones produced in the body are not in competition, but work in conjunction to improve the hormone levels and bring the body back into balance.
NHRT is available in a variety of delivery methods, depending on the type of hormones being used. Estriol, estradiol and progesterone are available in capsules, tablets, lozenges, sprays, creams and gels, suppositories, implants and injectable solutions. DHEA testosterone is available in tablets, lozenges, patches and creams.
Precautions
Natural hormones are FDA approved, but not strictly regulated by the FDA. There remain questions in the medical community about bioavailability and consistency in hormone preparations. Synthetic hormones carry risks that may include coronary heart disease, stroke, breast cancer and pulmonary embolism. It is not known if NHRT has the same risks, since the dosage is lower and the hormones used are bioidentical.
There seem to be fewer reports of side effects from NHRT compared with conventional treatments using synthetic hormones. In addition, the treatment can be halted and started again without side effects. In some cases, natural androgen replacement therapy can cause irritability in men. This seems to be most common with men who drink a lot of coffee and those who take ginseng and zinc supplements.
Natural Hormone Replacement Therapy is available by prescription from medical or naturopathic doctors and nurse practitioners. This allows for testing and monitoring before and during NHRT treatment. The hormone levels will be checked before treatment begins and periodically throughout treatment to ensure the best possible results.
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