Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT)

What is BHRT?

Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy is a natural treatment option for women and men to regulate hormone imbalance in the body. While it is used most often to manage the symptoms of menopause in women, it can also be used for a host of other conditions. These can include cancer treatment, adrenal and thyroid disorders, insulin resistance, fibromyalgia, osteoporosis, and more.

BHRT comes in many forms, including:

• Injections
• Creams
• Pills
• Patches
• Gels
• Insertable Pellets

BHRT Therapy – Who Can Benefit the Most?

Since bioidentical hormones are custom-made for you, your body absorbs them easily, and your treatment plan can be customized to your current hormone levels. This personalized and targeted approach to hormonal balance and overall well-being enhances the effectiveness of bioidentical hormone therapy.

BHRT for women can be used to increase the level of hormones that have dropped, whether due to aging or a disease that affects hormone levels like diabetes or cataracts. Replacing hormones can even help improve the appearance of skin

Bioidentical hormone therapy can also alleviate the following common symptoms of hormone imbalance in women like:

• Mood changes
• Memory loss
• Weight gain
• Hot flashes
• Night sweats
• Sleep problems
• Lowered libido or pain during sex

BHRT for men is an effective option to increase hormone levels that have decreased due to aging, chronic stress, or disease. Rebalancing hormone levels, especially testosterone in men, can help you live a healthier, more active lifestyle while feeling like your younger self.

Bioidentical hormone therapy can also alleviate common symptoms of hormone imbalance in men like:

• Weight gain
• Muscle loss
• Sleep problems
• Low libido or erectile dysfunction
• Brain fog
• Depression
• Anxiety

BHRT can be the right option for both men and women of all ages since anyone can experience hormone imbalance at any point in their life. If you have one or more of the symptoms above, you should schedule an appointment with an experienced hormone therapy practitioner.

BHRT vs HRT – What You Need to Know

Bioidentical hormones are special because they are bioidentically the same as the hormones yourbody naturally makes. In contrast, the hormones used in traditional hormone replacement therapy (HRT) come from the urine of pregnant horses and other man-made substances. Since bioidentical hormones are very similar to your body’s own hormones, they might be a better and safer choice for addressing hormone imbalances. They can work more effectively and with fewer side effects because they are so similar to what your body already produces.

According to a report produced for the US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health, patients report greater satisfaction with bioidentical hormone therapy than with a therapy that uses a synthetic hormone. “Bioidentical hormones have some distinctly different, potentially opposite, physiological effects compared with their synthetic counterparts, which have different chemical structures,” states the report.

Clinical data have shown that bioidentical hormone treatment drastically reduces the risk of getting breast cancer when compared to synthetic hormone treatments. “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,” notes the report.

Bioidentical Hormones for Women: Menopause, PMS, and Estrogen Dominance

Menopause is a natural phase that happens to all women as they get older. During this time, the levels of estrogen and progesterone in the body start changing a lot. The whole process of menopause can take anywhere from 7 to 14 years to finish, and the symptoms can be different for each person. Some women may have mild symptoms, while others may have more severe ones. Common symptoms include hot flashes, night sweats, difficulty sleeping, gaining weight, and other things that can really affect a woman’s daily life and well-being.

Many women experience a condition called Pre-Menstrual Syndrome (PMS), also known as estrogen dominance, which is a common but often overlooked issue. Estrogen dominance happens when there is too much estrogen compared to progesterone during certain parts of the menstrual cycle. It’s important to know that estrogen levels can be influenced by factors like having excess body fat and the food we eat, not just what the ovaries produce. This imbalance in hormones can cause various symptoms and affect how our bodies function.

To help with estrogen dominance, Nava practitioners follow a supervised weight loss program and provide liver support. They may also prescribe bioidentical progesterone in capsule form. Besides hormone therapy, Nava’s doctors use an integrative approach to balance hormone levels. This approach includes methods like weight loss, acupuncture, maintaining stable blood sugar levels, supporting the thyroid, and reducing stress.

During menopause, women often face a range of symptoms, such as difficulty sleeping, gaining weight, feeling tired, experiencing anxiety, and a decreased sex drive. At Nava, we have developed a strategy to address these symptoms. Our approach involves restoring hormone levels that may have become imbalanced or depleted as a result of menopause or an underlying health condition.

To ensure the best treatment recommendations, your Nava bioidentical hormone physician will thoroughly evaluate how your hormones are functioning overall. This evaluation is crucial in identifying the root cause of any hormone imbalances or deficiencies. By addressing the underlying problem, rather than just providing a temporary solution, we aim to offer genuine and long-lasting relief for your hormonal imbalance.

Benefits of BHRT for Men: Male Menopause (Andropause) or Low T

There’s a common misconception that only women go through hormonal changes as they get older. However, men also experience a condition called andropause, which is similar to menopause in women. Notably, andropause can begin at a younger age than menopause. As people become more aware of this condition, the popularity of male hormone replacement and testosterone therapy has rapidly increased in recent years.

When testosterone levels decrease as a result of getting older, experiencing stress, or due to an underlying illness, various functions in the body begin to decline. It’s not just about having a lower sex drive or facing challenges with erections. Low testosterone can directly affect your mood, sleep, blood sugar, and energy levels, and also can lead to a range of other issues. By optimizing your testosterone levels, you can improve your overall health and enjoy a better quality of life.

Our medical team will perform essential tests and monitor your blood levels to ensure the safety of your hormone treatment. We want you to feel confident that our testosterone therapies come with ongoing support, careful monitoring, and the use of advanced diagnostic tools.

The Nava Center Approach to BHRT

After carefully assessing your overall well-being and conducting thorough diagnostic tests, your Nava healthcare provider will consider different treatment options for you. They may recommend bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) to help address the symptoms of hormone imbalance that you’re experiencing.

Nava’s bioidentical hormone replacement therapy doctors will determine the best method of delivering the treatment based on your specific requirements. To enhance the effectiveness of the program, we often combine Nava’s BHRT with our exclusive hormone supplements.

During the BHRT treatment, we will conduct a comprehensive review of your hormone levels, understand your goals and needs, and take into account your medical history. Our experienced doctors will then create a personalized treatment plan tailored to your unique needs and lifestyle.

If you’re a woman going through menopause or a man diagnosed with a testosterone imbalance, Nava practitioners can assist you. Through targeted examinations and diagnostic testing, Nava’s doctors specializing in bioidentical hormone replacement therapy may be able to enhance your overall health and well-being.

Nava’s hormone optimization therapy is exceptional because it goes beyond Bioidentical Hormones to provide Adrenal Recharge therapy and Thyroid Balance programs. This comprehensive approach aims to address the root cause of your hormone imbalance and promote healing.

With Nava’s bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, under the guidance of a Nava practitioner, you may be able to regain the balance and energy you had in your younger years instead of accepting the negative effects of aging. You no longer have to live with the consequences of hormone imbalances when you have the support of the Nava Center.

Learn more about Nava’s hormonal treatment for men:

• Hormone Replacement Therapy for Men
• Erectile Dysfunction Treatment 
• Testosterone Replacement Therapy for Low-T 
• Andropause Treatment 
• Hypogonadism Treatment 

Other relevant resources related to hormonal treatments: 

• Hormone Replacement Therapy Cost
• Natural Testosterone Replacement 
• About Natural Bioidentical Hormones 
• Natural Estrogen Replacement Therapy 

What is BHRT and Is It Right for You?

When it comes to health, there are no one-size-fits-all solutions. Each person’s body is unique, so treatment plans need to be customized. If you’re dealing with a hormonal imbalance caused by aging, illness, or something else, bioidentical hormone replacement therapy might be a good option for you. It’s a safe and effective choice for most people. However, to truly address the root cause of your symptoms, it’s important to have the right team of holistic healthcare professionals by your side.

Whether you’re experiencing problems like trouble sleeping, feeling tired, anxious, a low sex drive, gaining weight, or a combination of these issues, bioidentical hormone replacement therapy could potentially help. With Nava’s BHRT, you have the opportunity to revitalize your body and change how you feel about getting older.

Having the right doctors supporting you is crucial to create a safe, effective, and holistic treatment plan. The goal is to help you feel like your energetic, youthful self again. That’s exactly what the team at Nava Health is dedicated to achieving. We are committed to helping you reach your full potential, whether it’s preventing chronic diseases, looking and feeling younger, or simply living your healthiest and happiest life possible.

Frequently Asked Questions 

At what age should I consider hormone replacement therapy?

We suggest checking your hormone levels starting at age 40, especially if you notice symptoms like an imbalance, menopause, or andropause. Being proactive about your health now can help prevent issues later on. Getting tested while you feel good also gives you a baseline for future comparisons. 

Will I need to take hormones for the rest of my life?

It depends on how your body responds to hormone therapy. Taking care of yourself with diet, exercise, sleep, and stress management can also help balance hormones naturally.  Everyone’s needs are different, and our professionals will assess what’s best for you based on your hormone levels and lifestyle.

How soon will I start feeling better with hormone therapy?

Results vary, but many clients feel improvements right away, with significant changes often seen within three to six months. It’s important to be patient as your hormone levels adjust.

Can hormone therapy help improve bone density?

Yes, hormone treatments can maintain bone density and prevent conditions like osteoporosis, especially by replenishing testosterone or estrogen levels.

Does hormone therapy interfere with other medications I might be taking? 

Generally, BHRT doesn’t interact with other medications. In fact, balanced hormones might reduce your need for other medications over time.

Why don’t more doctors prescribe bioidentical hormones?

Many traditional doctors lack training in BHRT. At Nava Health, our specialists are highly trained in personalized bioidentical hormone therapy and provide expert care in this area.