What's the difference between Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy and HRT?

If you're experiencing perimenopause symptoms and find they're really affecting the quality of your life in a big way, you may well be thinking about taking more drastic steps to calm them down a bit.

Fair enough too! Things can get gnarly at this time of our lives.

You may well have heard all the things about HRT and also about Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy but completely unsure what each are and what might be best for you.

First things' first (I'm the realest...)

(Excuse the Iggy Azalea ref, couldn't help myself)

As a woman it’s inevitable that you'll go through perimenopause and reach menopause at some point.

In the transition period of perimenopause you're probably going to experience a range of symptoms thanks to fluctuating and decreasing hormone levels.

You might experience one or several of the following symptoms:

• Hot Flashes/night sweats
• Irregular periods
• Problems with falling asleep, staying asleep and sleep quality
• Breast tenderness
• Itchy/crawly/dry skin
• Exhaustion
• Trouble concentrating
• Vaginal dryness
• Loss of libido
• Migraines
• More intense PMS
• Mood changes - anxiety, depression, rage
• Weight gain, despite no change to diet or exercise, due to metabolism slowing down or insulin resistance.

Taking action to balance your hormones, mainly oestrogen and progesterone will reduce your symptoms.

Perimenopause can last between 2 - 12 years and the average is between 4 - 6 years. Menopause starts a year after your last period.

Perimenopause is like a crazy wild hormone storm where oestrogen is fluctuating like nutballs.  And then you've got your progesterone levels which are all like, HOLD MY BEER! And also dropping like a lunatic and then..... menopause.  Ah, the calm after that insane peri storm where your newly calmed-down lower levels of oestrogen become the new normal along with greatly settled down symptoms.  Sweet relief! 

Rest assured, gals, you will pop out the other side of this.

So the most challenging years for experiencing perimenopause symptoms are likely to be the four years in the lead-up to menopause and the first year of menopause until your hormones finally get a grip and balance out.

Approximately 25% of women who experience natural menopause will have severe symptoms, whilst 75% of women are likely to have mild or possibly no perimenopausal symptoms.

A treatment for more problematic perimenopause/menopausal symptoms is Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) and Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT).

What is the difference between BHRT and HRT?

Both BHRT and HRT come in the form of pills, creams, gels, patches and are made up of different doses and combinations of hormones.

BHRT comes in the extra form of pellets which are injected beneath the skin.

The difference comes in the substances used to create them, and their safety.

BHRT is derived from plant sources that are molecularly identical to the hormones your body naturally produces.

HRT products are made from the urine of pregnant horses and other synthetic hormones. 

With regards to safety, in my opinion BHRT is the better choice.

I recommend reading these articles when considering BHRT or HRT:

https://www.larabriden.com/body-identical-hormone-replacement-therapy/

https://www.larabriden.com/natural-progesterone-is-a-safer-kind-of-hrt/

https://www.drnorthrup.com/abcs-of-hrt/

https://www.drnorthrup.com/bioidentical-hormones/

Discussing BHRT with your health professional?

Remember there is no size that fits all especially when it comes to hormones.

The most important thing is finding a skilled health professional who can find the right treatment for you.

Things to consider/discuss with your fave health pro

• Do I need oestrogen plus progesterone or just progesterone? 
• What are my symptoms? Are they because of low or fluctuating oestrogen? Or low progesterone? 
• What stage of perimenopause are you in? (Read more about the stages here)
• What is your current health like? Are there lifestyle changes that could improve symptoms?
• Is there family medical history to consider?
• What are your preferences in the different forms available?

Conclusion

I hope this post gives you an overview of what to consider when choosing BHRT and what needs to be considered to find the right combination for you. 

Good luck! And don't forget, we're always here you. Join the SheBANG! PeriSisterhood here

Ange

xx