Testosterone is a hormone secreted by the adrenal glands, testes, and ovaries. It contributes to muscle mass, strength and endurance, decreased fat, increased exercise tolerance, enhancement of well-being and psychological status. Testosterone protects against cardiovascular disease, hypertension, body fat, and arthritis. It leads to improved lean muscle mass, increased bone density, decrease cholesterol, improved skin tone, improved healing capacity, and increased libido and sexual performance. Testosterone is also present and extremely important in the female as well as the male.
Questions about BHRT
They are an essential part of the metabolic process of living beings. They are important for the cells, organs, and metabolism. Hormones decline as we age, they are the major reason for our deterioration as we get older both physically and mentally. Hormones are beneficial at any age, but the best long term protective benefits are achieved if replaced when you begin to lose them, around age 40.
They are hormones that are identical to human hormones; they are found in yams and soy. They are called “natural” because they are natural to the human body, the hormones are extracted from the vegetables and then processed by a specialty compounding pharmacy into a prescription dose and form. The body accepts and metabolizes these hormones as if it made them.
Synthetic estrogen (premarin) and progestins (provera) are produced in the laboratory, they are chemically altered and patented by pharmaceutical companies. Synthetic hormones are not natural to the human body (usually made from the urine of pregnant mares). These synthetic hormones, because not bioidentical, may be responsible for adversely stimulating the cell and cause cancer. Synthetic hormones produce synthetic metabolites that cause side effects, such as bloating, bleeding, and increased risk of cancer.
Progesterone is responsible for balancing estrogen and the female reproductive cycle. Deficiency results in symptoms of PMS, bloating, headaches, cramping, mood swings, breast tenderness, and irritability. Research shows that natural progesterone stimulates bone building osteoblasts, thus providing protection against osteoporosis. Progesterone protects against heart disease. Progesterone is necessary for adequate sexual response, lubrication, and vaginal vasodilation. Progesterone balances the equilibrium with estrogen, in menopause, women lose both hormones; therefore, both should be replaced.
Blood tests determine deficiencies, and also determine whether adequate replacement has been prescribed. Because hormones are delivered to the organs by the blood and not the saliva, we rely on blood tests. Saliva testing has consistently been shown to be inaccurate in medical studies.
Other bioidentical hormones that could be part of an optimal replacement program are testosterone, thyroid and DHEA. Both men and women need these hormones.
The 3 main Hormones
Testosterone
Estrogen
Estrogen is secreted by the ovaries. Estrogen protects against heart disease, stroke, osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s disease and memory deficits. It protects against vaginal atrophy, urinary incontinence, and prevents symptoms of menopause including hot flashes, and temperature dysregulation. Estrogen deficiency results in urogenital atrophy, incontinence, sagging skin in the breasts, increased wrinkles in the face, increased fatigue, depression, mood swings, and decreased libido. For optimal protection, natural estrogen supplementation should be balanced by natural progesterone supplementation.
Progesterone
Progesterone is secreted by the ovaries and reduces symptoms of premenstrual syndrome. It protects against osteoporosis, fibrocystic disease and ovarian cysts. Natural progesterone does not cause the same side effects as synthetic progesterone such as bloating, headaches, fatigue, and weight gain.
Benefits of BHRT: stronger sex drive, better mental clarity, decreased symptoms of anxiety, increased sense of well-being, improved ability to lose fat, helps build muscle, increases hair thickness, contributes to healthier skin, helps improve energy in the day, assists with the ability to sleep more soundly, and contributes to fewer hot flashes.
