Bioidentical Hormones

If you’re troubled by the symptoms of menopause, bioidentical hormones offer a solution. One of many treatment avenues on offer at Menopause Solutions in Mount Pleasant and Charleston, South Carolina, you can ask board-certified Elaine Eustis, MD, FACOG, NCMP, and Rhonda Leach, DNP, WHNP-BC and their team about the role bioidentical hormones might play in your treatment path. Booking a visit is fast and easy online or over the phone, so make today the day you take action. 

What are bioidentical hormones?

Bioidentical hormones are hormones that are made from a plant molecule and altered so that they are molecularly identical to our own hormones, so your body recognizes them as natural. If you and your doctor decide that supplemental hormones are a good fit for your needs, bioidentical hormones are one available option. 

There are many different ways to receive hormone replacement therapy using bioidentical hormones. Some options include the following:

• Pills
• Creams
• Gels
• Patches
• Injections
• Vaginal rings

Pellet therapy is another approach, but the team at Menopause Solutions doesn’t recommend this form of hormone replacement therapy due to research that suggests this approach leads to abnormally high hormone levels. Patients who have experienced complications with pellet therapy can be seen by the team to be treated

Why do women choose bioidentical hormones?

Bioidentical hormones are chemically identical to the hormones you produce naturally. In fact, your body can’t tell the difference between bioidentical hormones and natural hormones. Many people feel that supplementation using bioidentical hormones is a more natural and gentle approach than other synthetic options. 

A significant body of evidence supports bioidentical hormone replacement therapy as a safe and effective option. 

How does bioidentical hormone replacement work?

The journey begins with lab testing to identify your current hormone production levels. Your practitioner then designs a customized supplementation plan to restore optimal balance which can be done through blood or saliva. 

As you start hormone replacement therapy, you might begin seeing results immediately, but it takes time to understand how the treatment works. Your gynecologist remains available to you throughout the process. If you notice unpleasant changes or your therapy does not seem to be working after a few months, come back for an adjustment to your treatment plan. 

It takes patience to find the right bioidentical hormone replacement therapy approach for your specific set of needs. But the results are well worth the effort for most women, which is why hormone replacement remains a common treatment for menopause. 

If you’d like to explore this option in more detail, call the Menopause Solutions office today to schedule a visit.