Tag Archives: HRT

Expanding Your Practice with Hormonal Health

August 27, 2021

As awareness of the importance of hormones and their health implications grows, the hormone health industry will continue to evolve and expand at rapid rates. Over the past several decades, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has experienced a surge in popularity, driven by increased advertising, growing accessibility, and treatment innovations. Now increasingly provided under the wing of personalized medicine, hormone therapies are currently used to treat menopause, andropause, thyroid disorders, hypogonadism, as well as other disorders of the endocrine system. As the prevalence of these conditions is on the rise, so is patient demand for HRT solutions, and more specifically bio-identical hormone-based products. At this time, incorporating hormonal health solutions into your service offering provides a great opportunity for practice expansion and patient growth.

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Women’s Hormones: The Safety of Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy 

April 16, 2021

The field of hormone replacement therapies, and in particular bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT), has received considerable attention in recent years as it may offer a potential natural alternative treatment for hormonal balances affecting both men and women. While BHRT has been most commonly prescribed for the treatment of menopause symptoms, it can also be used to improve symptoms related to cancer treatment, insulin resistance, thyroid disorders, and many other health conditions. The use of this therapeutic method is increasing in popularity as awareness of the natural alternative grows and patient preferences continue to change.

The Benefits of BHRT

Chemically identical to hormones produced by the body, bioidentical hormones are derived from plant estrogens and come in a variety of forms including pills, gels, and injections that allow for ease of use that strengthens treatment adherence. BHRT is often prescribed as patients age and their hormone levels begin to decrease, especially in the case of women who enter perimenopause or menopause to improve the moderate-to-severe symptoms associated with this transition. Furthermore, hormone replacement therapies have been found  to reduce the risk for diabetes, tooth loss, as well as cataracts while potentially improving skin thickness, hydration, and elasticity. For post-treatment cancer patients with decreased estrogen levels, BHRT has shown efficacy in improving general wellbeing and overall quality of life; it may also alleviate some treatment-related symptoms such as migraines and insomnia.

Associated Risks

Nonetheless, this class of therapeutics has been tied to side effects with current research showing that hormone replacement therapy in general may increase the risk of certain conditions including blood clots, stroke, heart disease, and breast cancer. Additionally, BHRT therapy has been associated with acne, bloating, weight gain, fatigue, and mood swings as common side effects, which may deter some patients from the treatment. The risks and potential for side effects should be evaluated on an individual basis as they vary among women depending on their health history.

Compounded Bioidentical Hormones and FDA Regulation

Custom made by pharmacies per physicians’ orders, compounded bioidentical hormones typically include ingredients combined or altered to meet the specific needs of an individual patient. While such formulations may be effective when tailored correctly, it is important to note that the FDA has not approved any custom-compounded bioidentical hormone therapies to date. Also, many bioidentical hormones are manufactured and sold with limited safety, quality, and purity controls. As such, clinicians are encouraged to maintain caution in prescribing compounded bioidentical hormones.

To safely and effectively prescribe bioidentical hormone replacement therapies and other similar therapeutics, clinicians are invited to join the upcoming Women’s Hormones online course taking place from October 5-17, 2021, expertly designed to build clinical confidence and prepare practitioners for any patient scenario.

Benefits of HRT in Bone Health

December 1, 2016

A new cross-sectional analysis, coupled with research published last week in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, indicates that hormone-replacement therapy (HRT) can improve both bone-mineral density and bone mass/structure, with benefits that have the potential to continue up to two years after the discontinuation of treatment.

HRT is a form of therapy during which a patient receives hormones, for the purpose of supplementing a lack of naturally occurring hormones, or in order to substitute other hormones for naturally occurring hormones. Its use has been consistently studied and assessed in observational studies, case-control studies, meta-analyses, and randomized clinical trials; its applications have gradually expanded and been implemented.

Ample evidence and research further suggests that HRT is an effective first-line treatment for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis due to its anti-fracture efficacy, primarily among young postmenopausal women—and can be continued for up to a decade. These findings are specifically significant because of the inherent downfalls of current drugs and pharmaceuticals, which have demonstrated less than optimal effects on bone microarchitecture.