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Q. What is BHRT ?
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Ans. BHRT stands for Bio Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy
sometimes called NHRT (Natural Hormone Replacement Therapy). Hormones used in BHRT
are identical in chemical structure to those that the human body produces. They
come from a plant source (either wild yam or soy) from which a substance called
diosgenin is extracted and then converted by enzymes in a laboratory to various
bio-identical hormones. The process is very similar to the conversion of cholesterol
to hormones in humans.
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Q. How soon does BHRT work?
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Ans. Provided you have had the necessary blood (or preferably)
saliva tests, and the BHRT has been formulated accordingly, you should notice a
difference within to three to four days. However, each person's response is slightly
different and in many instances the initial formula may have to be changed by your
doctor once or twice during the initial two or three months until a suitable balance
is achieved. Patience and perseverance are required to achieve the desired result
and the advantage of BHRT is the ability of the doctor and Compounding Pharmacist
to make a prescription specifically for you, rather than use a ready prepared synthetic
preparation with a fixed formulation.
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Q. Which hormones are used in BHRT?
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Ans. Progesterone, Tri-Est (Estriol, Estrone and Estradiol combination),
Testosterone, DHEA, Pregnenolone, Melatonin, Desiccated Thyroid Extract, T3 &
T4 are the main hormones used and the quantities can be varied according to each
patient's requirements.
Q. How do our bodies make hormones?
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Ans. Steroid hormones including DHEA, pregnenolone, progesterone,
testosterone, estradiol, estrone, and estriol are produced in the body from cholesterol
which is manufactured in the liver. Most of this hormone production occurs in the
adrenal glands and ovaries; some estrogen is produced and stored in fatty tissues.
Each of these hormones has specific functions in the body and some, like DHEA and
progesterone, also serve as intermediate precursors for testosterone and the estrogens.
Progesterone is also a precursor of aldosterone, which helps regulate fluid and
sodium balance.
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What are the advantages of Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy?
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- Ans. Advantages of BIHRT Natural hormones match your own hormones
exactly (are bioidentical).
- Natural hormones leave the body more quickly than synthetics, thereby not posing
the same health risk.
- Natural hormones don't have the side effects of standard HRT drugs if used at the
proper dosage.
- Natural hormones are natural mood enhancers; progesterone can provide this benefit,
while progestin can't.
- Natural hormones can be individualized and custom tailored to meet individual hormone
needs.
- Natural hormones don't interfere with your own hormone production. Natural hormones
don't have the same long-term risks as synthetic, and are therefore much safer.
- Natural progesterone doesn't inhibit the benefits of estrogen on lowering cholesterol,
as does a progestin.
- Natural progesterone will not cause you to bleed for the duration of use of HRT,
as can progestin.
- Natural progesterone may protect against breast cancer and reduces risks of endometrial
cancer.
- Natural hormones can relieve premenopausal and menopausal symptoms.
- Natural hormones restore hormonal balance to the body
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