Bioidentical Hormones
Hormones that match your body's own
An individualised, plant-derived approach to PMS, perimenopause, menopause and andropause — identical to your own hormones, with minimal side effects.
What is bioidentical hormone therapy?
Bioidentical Hormone Therapy (BHRT) is an individualised treatment for premenstrual syndrome (PMS), the perimenopause, menopause and andropause. It uses hormones that have exactly the same chemical and molecular structure as the hormones naturally occurring in your body. Because they are 100% identical, your body doesn't recognise them as 'foreign' the way it can with some synthetic hormones — so they work in exactly the same way as your own hormones, delivering the same benefits with minimal unwanted side effects.
NHS treatments are often limited to the contraceptive pill for PMS, or conventional HRT for the perimenopause and menopause. This 'one size fits all' approach typically uses standard doses of synthetic progesterone, which carries potential health risks and a higher side-effect profile.
The hormones oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone are vital for your health and wellbeing, and can have a significant impact on your quality of life if they fall out of sync. BHRT is aimed at limiting the effects of these changes by helping you reset the balance.
What can BHRT treat?
PMS
Symptoms experienced before your period, which resolve once it begins.
Perimenopause
The transition phase towards menopause, which can last a number of years.
Menopause
Defined as the complete absence of periods for 12 months or more.
Andropause
The male menopause, where there is an age-related decline in testosterone.
Symptoms it can help — women
- Irritability and mood swings
- Anxiety and depression
- Night sweats and hot flushes
- Sleeping problems
- Vaginal dryness & painful intercourse
- Reduced libido
- Dry skin and wrinkles
- Acne
- Low energy and vitality
- Excess weight and poor muscle mass
- Poor memory and concentration
- Osteoporosis
Symptoms it can help — men
- Gynaecomastia (enlarged breast tissue)
- Reduced body hair
- Reduced libido
- Weight gain
- Reduced lean body mass
- Reduced energy
How is it prescribed?
- BHRT is prescribed as oestradiol, estriol, progesterone, DHEA and testosterone — either as an individual hormone or as a combination.
- This makes it easy to fine-tune each hormone to your body's requirements, compared with the fixed formulations found in standardised medication.
- Treatment can be issued as a cream for topical application, or as a lozenge or capsule.
What about side effects?
- To guard against unwanted side effects, we always start on the lowest possible dose.
- Side effects may arise if the dose prescribed is too high for your individual needs.
- Too high a dose of oestrogen can cause breast tenderness and bleeding.
- Too high a dose of progesterone can cause tiredness and low mood.
Ready to feel like yourself again?
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