Women experiencing perimenopause or menopause have many options for relieving symptoms, from clinical research-backed remedies to anecdotal remedies.
HRT medications combine estrogen and progesterone into pills, patches, gels or vaginal suppositories for women who take hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Some women may opt for compounded “bioidentical” hormones that are made from plant sources instead.
Bioidentical hormones
Hormones are chemicals produced by our bodies to regulate its physiology and keep it functioning normally, including reproduction, growth and metabolism. When they’re out of balance they can cause hot flashes, vaginal dryness and difficulty focusing; but hormone replacement therapy is available to relieve these symptoms.
Bioidentical hormones have become an increasingly popular alternative to traditional hormone therapy. Their chemical formula mirrors what our bodies naturally produce and can be administered in various forms – tablets, creams and pellets are among them – such as tablets, creams and pellets. Although bioidentical hormones come from natural plant extracts such as yam and soybean, their label as being “natural” may be misleading since they’re actually produced in laboratories like most herbal supplements sold under this umbrella term.
Women concerned about potential side effects associated with traditional HRT may find natural hormone replacement therapies appealing, though long-term studies on them are yet to be conducted and both the Australasian Menopause Society and Endocrine Society do not endorse them as alternatives.
Compound bioidentical hormones are customized and blended by pharmacists according to healthcare providers’ specifications, typically consisting of estrogen, estriol, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), progesterone and testosterone. Because compounding pharmacies do not undergo the same level of regulatory oversight as FDA-approved products, many contain untested combinations or doses. They may come in the form of pills, troches, creams or implants and typically prescribed by naturopathic doctors.
Experts do not advise compounded hormones due to not having been evaluated by the FDA and because their quality can vary significantly across pharmacies. For instance, estrogen strength in prescriptions may range anywhere from 70%-280% of what’s recommended – potentially leaving the product ineffective or worsening symptoms in users. Furthermore, some hormones have been linked with an increase in heart disease and cancer risks, making it imperative that qualified healthcare professionals prescribe tailored prescriptions tailored specifically to each person’s individual needs.
Selective estrogen receptor modulators
Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) are medications used to block estrogen in some parts of the body while mimicking it elsewhere, often used to treat conditions like breast cancer and osteoporosis. SERMs such as Tamoxifen and Raloxifene have been around for decades, helping treat various health issues while potentially causing side effects like hot flashes or mood swings.
Estrogens play an essential role in female reproductive physiology by binding to estrogen receptors (ERs) located throughout various tissues, inducing specific conformational changes that influence activation or repression of target genes by these ligands; ultimately leading to tissue-specific effects from gene transcription changes.
Tamoxifen, one of the best-known SERMs, was initially designed to treat estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer; however, its benefits have expanded to treating other postmenopausal symptoms, including menopausal vaginal atrophy and osteoporosis. Furthermore, these drugs can be taken orally without experiencing as many side effects than traditional hormone replacement therapies.
Tamoxifen works to inhibit the proliferation of estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer cells by interfering with their ability to absorb estrogen, and blocking signaling pathways which promote tumor cell proliferation. Furthermore, this drug is proven to lower risk of second primary tumor in ER-positive patients and treat metastatic breast cancer effectively.
Similar to estrogen receptor binding therapy, raloxifene works to prevent and treat osteoporosis by binding with estrogen receptors in bones and other tissues. This activity increases bone density while also helping decrease fracture risk for postmenopausal women, decreasing risk for heart disease, and improving lipid profiles.
SERMs have also been proven to offer many other potential advantages for postmenopausal women, such as decreasing the risk of uterine and vaginal cancer and protecting cardiovascular disease in postmenopausal women. Furthermore, these drugs can treat moderate to severe dyspareunia caused by menopause vulvar and vaginal atrophy symptoms.
SERMs possess an intricate mechanism of action, including changes to cell- and tissue-specific expression of estrogen receptor subtypes, differential co-regulatory protein expression levels and conformational changes caused by binding to different ligands. With novel SERDs that act both as agonists and antagonists affecting different tissues simultaneously. This has changed our traditional views of how estrogen acts on different tissues.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
Hormone replacement therapy is an effective way to ease symptoms associated with menopause, such as hot flashes and night sweats. Hormones available as creams, pills or gels should be discussed with your healthcare provider about risks and benefits before using any replacement therapy products.
Menopausal symptoms can be distressing and significantly diminish your quality of life, including hot flashes, night sweats and vaginal dryness. Hormone replacement therapy may ease these symptoms and make you feel more confident; additionally it lowers risk of osteoporosis that often accompanies menopause.
HRT is often prescribed for women experiencing climacteric symptoms; however, other therapies may work better for you. If you are under 40 and experiencing these symptoms or have already reached menopause, talk with your healthcare provider as hormone therapy should only be prescribed when it can improve quality of life.
Hormone therapy to treat menopause typically includes estrogen and progestin in various combinations; these hormones come in the form of gels, creams and tablets and some may increase your risk for cardiovascular disease; therefore it’s recommended that treatment be limited as much as possible.
Antidepressant medication should also be taken when taking hormones, particularly if you are a smoker. Blood clots and stroke should also be monitored closely, while those with high blood pressure or heart disease should not take these hormones.
Women at greater risk for cardiovascular disease or blood clots should not take estrogen, and should get regular mammograms while on it according to recommendations made from a large national study. As risks and benefits may vary depending on which hormone therapy regimens one chooses, it’s essential that they discuss all available options with their gynecologist prior to making an informed decision.
Natural hormones
Hormones are produced by your endocrine glands to instruct other parts of your body when and how they should function, providing crucial instructions that govern everyday functions. When hormone levels drop or become unbalanced, symptoms that interfere with daily living may arise, with holistic hormone replacement therapy providing relief by relieving symptoms and rebalancing your system.
Bioidentical hormones or natural hormones may seem safer and more effective than standard HRT, yet many misunderstand what these products actually do. While both bioidentical and natural hormones are produced synthetically in a lab using molecular structures similar to what exists naturally within our bodies; bioidentical ones have undergone additional regulation, testing, and research processes to ensure safety and efficacy.
Before considering natural or bioidentical hormones, it’s wise to consult a licensed health care provider. By engaging in such an in-depth conversation, you can learn about risks and benefits as well as choose an approach best suited to you.
Bioidentical hormones differ from traditional HRT in that they come from plant sources, making them safer and tailorable to each woman’s diagnosis to ensure that she gets exactly the dose that suits them best.
Hormone therapy with bioidentical hormones may help ease some symptoms associated with menopause and perimenopause, including hot flashes, vaginal dryness and mood changes. Furthermore, bioidentical hormones have been proven to decrease risk for heart disease and osteoporosis as well as improve skin thickness, elasticity and hydration.
Localized Hormone Replacement Therapy is another alternative to BHRT that uses cream, rings or suppositories applied locally and that do not enter the bloodstream. This form of hormone therapy is often employed to address vaginal dryness and discomfort by rebuilding its lining and increasing lubrication levels.
Only limitation to this treatment option is its ineffectiveness in relieving systemic symptoms like hot flashes or mood shifts. Furthermore, it’s essential that women who possess uteri take both estrogen and progestin for maximum efficacy.
