In a medical landscape inundated with information, the realm of Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) often finds itself obscured by misconceptions. In this article, we cover ten of the most common myths about BHRT. We’ll help you navigate the fog of misinformation and shed light on the science, safety, and efficacy of bioidentical hormones. Join us on a journey to debunk the myths of BHRT, empowering individuals to make informed decisions about their well-being and fostering a deeper understanding of this transformative approach to hormonal balance.
Myth 1: BHRT Increases the risk of breast cancer.
The first estrogen replacement hormone on the market for women was Premarin. It was a synthetic estrogen that came on the scene in the early 1940s and was derived from the urine of pregnant mares. It therefore had a lot of different compounds in it, including different types of estrogen that did not match anything the human body naturally produced. This led to frequent complications and side effects from the drug, and over time, did lead to a slightly increased risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer in its users. However, modern hormone replacement therapy focuses on using bioidentical hormones such as Estradiol (a form of estrogen), which is biologically identical to the hormone naturally produced by the human body. This has led to a massive decrease in side effects and long-term health issues, and has made Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) an extremely safe and beneficial option for many people.
Myth 2: Women don’t need testosterone. That’s only for men.
Women’s bodies use just as complex combinations of hormones as men’s bodies do, but in different amounts at different times. In women, testosterone is important in developing consistent energy, libido, muscle mass, and other key functions of the body. Testosterone is measurably lower in women on the whole, but is just as essential to maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle.
Myth 3: All hormone replacement therapies are alike.
Many different hormones are used in BHRT, including Estrogen, Progesterone, Testosterone, and Thyroid hormones. Different dosages and combinations of each of these will have a different effect on every individual, so it’s important to work with a knowledgeable healthcare provider to figure out what is best for you. In addition, each medication may come in several different types of application methods, from gels and creams to tablets or pellets, it’s important to choose one that is most effective for you.
Myth 4: BHRT Is Only for Elderly People
It’s true that most women who take BHRT are post-menopausal women experiencing symptoms such as low energy libido, mood swings, decreased muscle mass, osteoporosis, and other symptoms of menopause. Furthermore, it is recommended that women who have not yet experienced menopause do not take bioidentical estrogen, as this may be unnecessary with the already high levels in the body. However, taking bioidentical Progesterone may help stabilize mood and help with poor sleep, low energy, and severe symptoms of PMS or PMDD. Testosterone supplementation in women can help with muscle strength, energy, and libido, and careful balancing of thyroid hormones is essential for general health and well-being and may be a factor in mitigating the risk of Alzheimer’s,
Myth 5: BHRT Is Only Helpful Short-Term
A prevailing myth suggests that Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) is only beneficial in the short term. Contrary to this belief, the recommendation to limit BHRT to five years is rooted in insufficient data and outdated perspectives centered on non-bioidentical drugs. Unlike their predecessors, modern bioidentical hormones have shown no recorded long-term side effects. In fact, emerging evidence suggests that extended use of BHRT may confer substantial benefits to overall health and well-being into old age and allow individuals to lead active and fulfilling lives well into their later years.
Myth 6: I can get the same benefit from calcium and other supplements
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) dietary supplements such as vitamin C, calcium, vitamin D, and other supplements, are not required to be proven effective, and are not required to be approved by the FDA in any way before being sold to the public. Additionally, If a supplement results in an adverse reaction, it may take months to years before it is removed from shelves. If you are deficient in a certain vitamin or mineral, and have been advised to take a certain supplement by a medical professional, it is important to get regular blood tests to track the effectiveness of that specific supplement.
For example, for women experiencing bone density loss, otherwise known as osteoporosis, it turns out that calcium supplements are not nearly as effective as once thought. A recent article by Johns Hopkins Medicine outlines the scant evidence for calcium supplements benefits, as well as a possible link to increased colon polyps and kidney stones (1). BHRT may help in ways a common supplement cannot, by improving the body’s ability to absorb and use the calcium naturally found in food.
Myth 7: It Is for Women Only
While Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) often centers on women and menopause, dispelling the notion that it is exclusively for women reveals a broader landscape of options. Testosterone, a crucial hormone, is present in both men and women. Imbalances, particularly low testosterone levels in men, contribute to weight gain, diminished muscle mass, low libido, energy depletion, mood instability, and hair loss. BHRT offers a transformative solution, with testosterone supplementation proving effective in reversing and preventing these symptoms.
Myth 8: BHRT increases the risk of heart attack or stroke.
This myth may have come about as a result of the extensive use of previously mentioned, non-bioidentical forms of HRT such as the synthetic estrogen mentioned above. However, according to an article in the National Institute of Health’s National Library of Medicine, (3) Testosterone replacement alone, with no additional compounds or hormones, creates no statistical increase in the risk of Cardiovascular Disease (CVD), and may even work to prevent future CVD. Another article from the same source (4) takes a close look at Bioidentical Estrogen therapy and shows that in addition to there being no statistically significant increase in CVD risk, there also may be a significant preventative effect of estrogen due to the correlation between CVD and lower levels of estrogen in women.
Myth 9: Menopausal symptoms are an inevitable part of aging, so I shouldn’t take medication to avoid it.
It’s true that the majority of people experience negative symptoms as they age, but every person deserves to pursue health and wellness to the best of their ability. BHRT has shown many promising effects in helping both men and women feel good and be their best selves, mentally and physically, well into old age. While we may never be able to make people live longer, today we have proven solutions to maximize people’s well-being, energy, and general quality of life. Maintenance of hormones can make you feel better longer, and we want to give you that opportunity for preventative and holistic care that lets you take full advantage of your whole life.
Sources:
- Johns Hopkins Medicine: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/calcium-supplements-should-you-take-them
- FDA Dietary Supplement Education Initiative: https://www.fda.gov/food/information-consumers-using-dietary-supplements/supplement-your-knowledge
- NIH National Library of Medicine. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5512682/
- NIH National Library of Medicine. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9178928/
