Whether it is a white blood cell targeting a virus or the brain is suffering from depression, when it comes to our bodies we are a collection of chemicals. For both men and women, one of the strongest chemical regulators within the body are hormones. A part of the endocrine system, these compounds originate in the various endocrine glands that are located throughout the body, as well as the pancreas. Additional producers are found within the testes of men and ovaries of women. The ceasing of menstruation that occurs during menopause can be an extremely difficult time for women and a new treatment regimen in the form of bioidentical hormone replacement is causing a stir.
While the link between menopause and these chemical regulators is understood, it’s important to understand the role that hormones play in the body. Traveling throughout the bloodstream they are the driving force behind multiple bodily processes.
Growing up these processes are linked with our growth and development, as well as metabolism and mood. Sexual maturity is also spearheaded by these compounds and, for women, this starts when they have their first period.
They are tied to the issues that women have with premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and they can render a woman unrecognizable to herself during the massive increase that accompanies pregnancy. Rather than increasing in number, during menopause these compounds are declining.
It doesn’t happen overnight and, indeed, in many women takes years. It brings with it a number of different symptoms that vary in severity. They include a list of issues like weight gain, depression and other mood problems, as well as a lost of sexual interest. The most difficult to deal with for many sufferers has to do with hot flashes since they involve the body’s internal temperature regulation.
Finding a way to deal with this issue has had women turning to medicine for help. There is no cure because it is a natural process, but doctors have come up with a method of treatment and alleviates symptomology and has the added affect of making women both feel and look younger.
This treatment has always been, for over fifty years, the injection of synthetic hormones. These compounds are created within the laboratory and administered by a physician through a structured regimen. It hasn’t been without its critics, however, and has been suggested to be related to an increase in breast cancer risk.
Offering something different, companies are now creating what they call bioidentical hormones which are no different, biologically, from the ones that are produced in the body. This is possible because instead of synthesizing them from chemicals, they are derived from natural sources like plants.
It’s important to remember, however, that if you make this choose for your own treatment you should work in conjunction with your physician. A good treatment plan involves the monitoring of your own levels and compensating for the ones that are being depleted faster.
It’s important to work with your physician to monitor your levels through blood tests. There are kits on the market that purport to allow you to test your own hormones through saliva, but this is highly inaccurate as your levels fluctuate throughout the day.
It’s important to figure out how you are going to deal with your menopause and if you choose to go the more natural route, talk with your physician about monitoring your levels. You can make it through without having to suffer too much with hormone therapy.
When searching for specialized compounded medical solutions like bhrt and Bio Identical menopause hormone replacement, be sure to talk to the award-winning pharmacist at Haber’s Pharmacy, a leading compounding pharmacy in Toronto.