Bioidentical Hormones

What is Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy?

Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) is a prescription alternative to conventional hormone replacement therapy (synthetic hormone derivatives). Bioidentical hormones are derived from natural compounds and synthesized to the exact structure and function as the hormones produced within the human body. Since every patient has different needs, Dr. daSilva is able to adjust the strength, mode of administration, flavors, fillers, etc.

Depending on what your symptoms are and which hormone(s) your body needs, the doctor may choose to prescribe bioidentical hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, thyroid hormones, DHEA, melatonin or others as needed.

No matter what your age, if your hormones (estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone) are unbalanced, you may suffer ill effects such as hot flashes, night sweats, trouble sleeping, mood swings, depression, anxiety, memory loss, vaginal dryness, erectile disfunction, fatigue, loss of your sex drive and even weight gain. Individuals with balanced hormones integrated with proper nutrition and fitness can have a better quality of life as they age.

What are Factors that Influence Hormones?

•     Exercise
•     Activity Levels
•     Stress Levels
•     Nutritional Supplementation
•     Diet

What are the Benefits of BHRT?

•     Improves Cholesterol Levels
•     Improves Libido
•     Improves Sleep
•     Improves Mood, Concentration, and Memory
•     Reduces Hot Flashes
•     Reduces Vaginal Dryness
•     Reduces the Risk of Breast and Endometrial Cancer
•     Reduces the Risk of Depression
•     Reduces the Risk of Senility and Alzheimer's Disease
•     Offers fewer unwanted effects than synthetic hormones
•     Helps in the prevention of Osteoporosis and restoration of bone strength
•     Muscle mass and strength are better maintained
•     Protects against Heart Disease and Stroke

    In well known medical journals, researchers have reported that the bioidentical hormones, estrogen and testosterone, are not only safe but also have a positive impact on diseases like osteoporosis 
    and prostate cancer.

How Long Will it Take to See Results with BHRT?
While it varies with each person, and depends on which hormone therapy you are using, you can expect to see results within three to six months. This amount of time is needed to allow for the proper balancing of your hormones.

BIOIDENTICAL ESTROGEN

Estrogen helps to regulate menstrual cycles, as well as for vascular, bone, vaginal, bladder, brain, breast, and reproductive health. Estrogens have also been shown to improve depression, help with mood swings, reduce fatigue, and improve lipid profiles.

What Are Benefits of Taking Bioidentical Estrogens?

•     Relieves Hot Flashes
•     Reduces the risk of Heart Disease, Cancer, and Osteoporosis
•     Reduces Fatigue and Sleeplessness
•     Improves Memory
•     Improves Bladder Function
•     Helps alleviate Depression and Mood Swings
•     Improves Lipid Profile

What are the Signs of Too Little Estrogen?

•     Irritability
•     Decreased Sex Drive
•     Memory Loss
•     Difficulty Concentrating
•     Depression
•     Fatigue
•     Arthritis
•     Hair Loss
•     Hot Flashes
•     Bladder Symptoms
•     Night Sweats
•     Dry Skin

What Are Side Effects of Conventional Synthetic Estrogens?

•     Increased risk of Endometrial and Breast Cancer
•     Endometriosis
•     Vaginal Bleeding
•     Blood Clots
•     Gallstones
•     Breast Tenderness

What is "Estrogen Dominance"?
An excess of estrogen in the absence of adequate levels of progesterone

What Causes Estrogen Dominance?

•     Environmental Xenoestrogens
•     Pesticides and Herbicides
•     Lack of Dietary Fiber
•     Lack of Proper Exercise
•     Fluctuations of Peri-Menopause
•     Overdosing of Estrogen
•     Hysterectomy
•     Birth Control Pills
•     Decline in Ovarian Progesterone Production

What are Signs of Estrogen Dominance?

•     Fatigue
•     Sweet Cravings
•     Heavy or Irregular Menstruation
•     Fibrocystic Breasts and Breast Tenderness
•     Mood Swings
•     Headaches/ Migraines
•     Sleep Disruption
•     Weight Gain
•     Fluid Retention
•     Hot Flashes/ Night Sweats

BIOIDENTICAL PROGESTERONE

Progesterone helps to regulate menstrual cycles, is used to help prevent miscarriage, and plays a role in the maintenance of breast, brain, and bone tissue. Progesterone has been shown to improve depression, mood swings, and to balance estrogens.

What is the Difference Between "Progestin" and "Progesterone"?
Natural Progesterone:
    Is structurally identical to the hormone produced in our bodies
    The only main side effect may be some mild to moderate drowsiness (if not balanced properly). This can actually benefit the patient who suffers from sleep problems.
Progestins:
    Are synthetic, man-made molecules developed to mimic the actions of natural progesterone
    Do not have the full range of activity of natural progesterone
    Have a wide range of side effects:

•         Breast Tenderness
•         Acne
•         Bloating
•         Depression
•         Vision Changes
•         Thrombosis
•         Migraines
•         Decreased Glucose Tolerance
•         Gastric Regurgitation
•         Genital Abnormalities in fetuses of women taking medroxyprogesterone (a progestin) the first four  months of pregnancy

What are the Signs of Too Little Progesterone?

•     Uterine and Breast Fibroids
•     Decreased Bone Density
•     Mood Swings
•     Breast Tenderness
•     Cramps
•     Miscarriage
•     Anxiety
•     Irregular Menses
•     Decreased Libido
•     Depression
•     Water Retention
•     Sleep Disturbances

What are Some Functions of Bioidentical Progesterone?

•     Acts upon the uterus, kidneys, brain, smooth muscle, breasts, bones, and cellular membranes
•     Precursor to other Sex Hormones
•     Normalizes Blood Sugars
•     Normalizes Blood Clotting
•     Use fat for energy
•     Functions as a natural Antidepressant
•     Functions as a natural Diuretic
•     Helps normalize Thyroid
•     Restores Libido
•     Protects against Breast and Endometrial Cancer
•     Protects against Fibrocystic Breasts and Uterine Fibroids
•     Decrease Cramping
•     Necessary to maintain Pregnancy
•     Counter-balances Estrogen
•     Assists in normalizing HDL-cholesterol levels
•     Ultimately reduces risk of Heart Disease
•     Creates Osteoblastic activity, leading to increased Bone Density

What if You Had a Hysterectomy?
Progesterone metabolizes from cholesterol and then becomes the backbone of all the other steroid hormones. It is essential in balancing estrogen, supporting the thyroid, curbing insulin resistance and assists in proper regulation of the adrenals.

What About the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) Study?
The WHI study has brought about many questions throughout the past few years and rightfully so. The WHI study looked at a product called Prempro, and not bioidentical hormones. Prempro contains conjugated estrogens derived from the urine of pregnant mares as well as a synthetic progestin. Neither one of these ingredients are bioidentical to the human system and come with a litany of side effects and warnings. The WHI study backs up the fact that synthetic hormones are not what we should be using to improve the wellbeing of women.

What are the Goals of BHRT?

•     Reestablish an individual's hormonal balance
•     Provide protective benefits that were originally provided by the body's naturally occurring hormones
•     Alleviate symptoms caused by the natural or surgical decrease in hormones