What are Bioidentical Hormones?

RedBamboo is happy to announce Bioidentical Hormone Therapy available at the spa! Unsure of what bioidentical hormones are? Read the Q & A below with Dr. Laszlo Teleszky!

Q:  What are bioidentical hormones?

A:  Bioidentical hormones are an exact replica of the hormones that are naturally produced by your body. The difference between bioidentical hormones and synthetic hormones are that, although both are created in the lab, synthetic hormones are not identical to the hormones naturally created in your body, but bioidentical hormones match your body’s hormones molecule by molecule.

Q:   How will bioidentical hormones help me?

A:    Women who are suffering from menopausal, and perimenopausal symptoms that are looking to put an end to hot flashes, night sweats, trouble sleeping, memory loss, mood swings, weight gain, and loss of libido, are finding  relief  with the help of bioidentical hormones.

Men experiencing andropause (male menopause) who want to get a grip on weight gain, loss of libido, fatigue, stress, loss of energy, loss of muscle mass, and an increase in body fat are also finding solutions through bioidentical hormone therapy.

Q:  When should I consider bioidentical hormone therapy?

A:   In general, your body’s natural hormones begin to decline after your mid-20s and hormonal imbalance symptoms are frequently present by your mid to late-30s. Most people should have their hormones checked by the age of 40 or earlier if they are experiencing symptoms of menopause or andropause.

Q. I heard that estrogen might increase my risk for heart attacks or breast cancer. Is this true?

A:  No, this is not true. Fears of increased risks of heart disease and breast cancer have mainly come from the WHI study in 1992, because of an increased risk that was seen in women taking the synthetic hormone, Prempro. We cannot use results of studies done on synthetic hormones to assess risks of bioidentical hormones. Bioidentical hormones are safe. We use the two main estrogens Estradiol and Estriol and the proper combination of these two hormones actually should decrease the risk of breast cancer. Hormone replacement with bioidentical hormones has also been shown to decrease the risk of heart disease.

Q. What are the side effects associated with bioidentical hormones?

A:  Because bioidentical hormones have the same molecular structure as the hormones made naturally by your body, there are relatively few side effects. Side effects occur mainly when the dosage of hormone is too high for the individual. That is why we monitor and evaluate each patient consistently to assure balanced and proper dosing.