Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) is one of the ways for women to cope with menopause symptoms. A lot of doctors consider this the best course of action for their patients, especially if they have had little to no success with other forms of treatment. 

If you are in a situation where you are considering BHRT and you need some tips, make sure to read the following guide: 

• Always use a clinical assessment to inform the diagnosis – it is a known fact that women usually experience menopause between the age of 45 and 55 years. However, there are also some cases of women around age 40 showing up with symptoms of menopause. Early diagnosis of menopause is essential since it reduces comorbidities like cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis. Clinical assessment is needed to diagnose menopause, as well as a check on follicle-stimulating hormone levels when any doubt exists. 

• Share your concerns – BHRT is best started around the transition of menopause, which is around 51 years of age. At this stage, women are usually at their fittest and do not have significant cardiovascular disease risk. During this time, BHRT can promote cardiovascular health and reduce the risk of bowel cancer and osteoporosis. However, it is important to make all of the necessary appointments with your doctor, to receive the needed information on the treatment. 

• Keep risks in perspective – BHRT often falls victim to beliefs that it is some sort of panacea boosting the quality of life at the cost of life expectancy. However, this is nothing but a myth, as women on BHRT are usually found to live longer and healthier lives. It is important not to sidestep obesity, hypertension, sedentary lifestyle and a whole host of other factors that directly impact the lives of women after menopause. These are factors you can modify, after all. 

• Don’t trust Dr Google – a lot of women first resort to Dr Google and the promises for a free BHRT they find there. The truth is that only your doctor should be the one advising you on what sort of therapy to do and what specialist to see. They will be the one to assess your condition and tell you what to do with this kind of treatment. 

• What are the different ways of administration – every hormone replacement therapy features different ways of administration. Most common are oral drugs, although they aren’t the only solution. You can consult with your doctor on using transdermal oestrogen, which is, according to many, a safer method of delivery, which reduces many risks. Another solution is oral micronized natural progesterone, which doesn’t show much risk for breast cancer. 

• Tailoring your dose – some believe that the best way to do BHRT is to always go with the lowest possible dose. However, the goal of such therapy should always be to establish a dose that effectively treats the symptoms of menopause, all the while providing some bone protection. Women under 40 sometimes require a higher dose, whereas women over 60 may get away with suboptimal doses, and only increase it later in the therapy. 
• Getting the first prescription right – with all of the choices, your doctor may find it difficult to optimise your first prescription. However, you should work through the risks and benefits and share your complaints, to help them navigate this. It is a good idea to go with the treatment that has the lowest risk. 

Always bear these tips about BHRT in mind and you will have great success with such treatment. 

© The Natural Doctor

Nobody would call menopause a disease, so calling the negative side effects of it ‘symptoms’ is not technically correct. However, this period of a woman’s life comes with certain side effects that often feel overwhelming. 

It doesn’t help the fact that many of the symptoms overlap, causing a cascading effect of introducing more problems. However, one thing is for certain – there is a way to keep things under control. Whether it be a specialised bioidentical hormone replacement therapy or some other treatment, women can regain back their health and wellbeing. In the following guide, we take a look at several of the symptoms that are most commonly associated with menopause, as well as how they can be treated: 

• Hot flashes – perhaps the most common symptom of menopause is hot flashes. Also referred to as vasomotor symptoms, these begin as early as perimenopause. They last a long time. It is believed they are set off by an area in the hypothalamus and emerge as a way for the body to cool itself. There are a few things that can help with hot flashes. For starters, reducing hot beverages, caffeine, alcohol and smoking can minimise the occurrence of this symptom. Dressing in layers and wearing light clothes also helps the situation. Drinking plenty of water, especially in the warmer months of the year, is an absolute necessity for every woman out there. 

• Vaginal changes – the decreasing levels of oestrogen thin the vaginal lining and diminish the vaginal secretions. This results in dryness and irritation, as well as reduced sex drive. In some women there is also the condition of atrophic vaginitis that develops, which requires immediate treatment, or else it leads to more ulceration and vaginal thinning. The best way to address this kind of symptom is to consider a vaginal lubricant or moisturiser. Any kind of treatment applied in the form of tablets, creams and rings can be helpful.

• Weight gain – there are a lot of viable strategies when it comes to combating weight gain in women of this age group. Doing light exercise remains the best possible strategy for minimising this issue. A balanced diet will also assist in keeping a healthy weight.

• Insomnia – during menopause, many women complain about insomnia. The problem is usually caused by hot flashes during the night. Implementing a strict bedtime routine can help with the problem. Limiting screen time before going to sleep and always going to sleep at about the same time each night is a fine way to counter insomnia symptoms.

• Dry skin/hair – with age, the skin becomes less capable of retaining moisture and it is the declining levels of oestrogen that have a lot to do with it. One way to remedy the situation is to stop smoking because it has a notable effect on the skin. Another thing is to be more protective of the skin when it comes to sun exposure.

• Concentration and memory problems – the most likely factor that creates these symptoms is stress during menopause. One of the best ways to maintain good brain health is to stay physically active. Aiming for at least 150 minutes of physical exercise per week is a good goal. Also, women who strive to use their mind in different ways also experience less concentration and memory problems. Solving puzzles, playing board games or just learning a new skill are all proven ways to accomplish this task.

All of these symptoms are common enough during menopause. Knowing the right ways to address them really can contribute to better wellbeing during that period of life.

© The Natural Doctor