Why Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy May Not Work For You

The natural sex hormones present in the female body are estrogen and progesterone. Women also produce small amounts of the male hormone called testosterone. All of these hormones work in concert throughout a women’s life to usher her through puberty, menstruation, and menopause. They also play a huge role in pregnancy, too.

As women age, their natural hormone levels decrease. Between the ages of 45 to 55, women reach a season of their lives when their menstrual cycles stop and menopause begins. Menopause (and the time leading up to it, which we refer to as perimenopause) can be challenging for a variety of reasons, especially in regard to the symptoms that women tend to experience. These symptoms include, but are not limited to: hot flashes, mood swings, weight gain, and trouble sleeping. 

Perhaps one of the most frustrating symptoms of menopause involves a decrease in sexual desire—also known as low libido. Women going through menopause may even experience dryness or pain/discomfort during sex. Women who have enjoyed an active sex life with their partner may look for ways to maintain it in their golden years—and rightly so.

Perimenopausal and menopausal women seeking solutions for the medical symptoms and/or the low libido they’re experiencing may be presented with treatment options known as hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT).

While these options are often made to sound “natural” and appealing, both HRT and BHRT may not work for you, and we can help you understand why the potential risks and side effects could outweigh the benefits.