Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) is a safe and effective way to treat hormone imbalances in adolescent women, young women, perimenopause menopausal, and menopausal women. In fact, medical research published as recently as December of 2012 by the College of Family Physicians of Canada states, “Until evidence to the contrary, bioidentical hormones remain the preferred method of HRT.” While many people associate hormone replacement therapy (HRT) with women in and around menopause, doctors have been using various forms of HRT to treat younger women who report hormone imbalance symptoms. There are of course certain times and circumstances when HRT is a more viable option than not.

In women in their 20's, typical symptoms of hormone imbalance can include things like acne, late, infrequent, or irregular menses, and severe PMS. Early in their menstruating years, irregular menses are not that uncommon, but as she gets into her late teens and early 20's the cycle should be well established. A very common hormone imbalance symptom in younger women is know as PMS. PMS (premenstural syndrome) is a number of symptoms that occur around the menstrual cycle and can include irritability, pain, and cramps, acne, etc. Different hormones account for each symptom and sometimes these imbalances are caused by nutrient or vitamin deficiencies. Correcting these deficiencies will correct the PMS symptoms and the hormones themselves. Left untreated, this can lead to worsening of symptoms and possible frank anxiety disorder or other mental/emotional problems. For instance there is some evidence linking hormone imbalance with common eating disorders such as anorexia, nervosa, and bulimia.

Bioidentical hormone doctors work closely with young women to find the source of the imbalance and use the least amount of natural hormone treatments for maximum effects.

Treat Female Hormone Imbalance Symptoms Safely

Bioidentical hormones are made from plant derivatives and are the exact same size and shape as human hormone molecules. Because of their identical molecular composition, bioidentical hormones are more easily recognized by the body and are associated with fewer negative side effects than traditional synthetic hormone replacement therapies. If you live in the Phoenix or Scottsdale area, bioidentical hormone doctors can work to relieve common hormone imbalance symptoms that have been traditionally treated with synthetic oral contraceptives. Traditional oral contraceptives (birth control) are a one size fits all method and as such there is no attention on the overall balance of the women's hormones. In fact it is rare that a woman on oral contraceptives even gets her hormone levels checked. Bioidentical hormone doctors frequently check the hormones to make sure they stay in balance throughout her cycle and lifestyle changes. 

Your Phoenix bioidentical hormone doctor can use BHRT to treat the following symptoms, which typically affect young women and those still menstruating.

• Migraines
• Frequent headaches
• Abnormal mood swings
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Excessively painful periods and/or cramps
• Acne
• Uterine Fibroids
• Heavy or irregular periods
• Ovarian cysts
• Endometreosis
• Excessive hair growth

Birth Control Has a Long History of Negative Side Effects

In many cases, traditional medical doctors will prescribe oral contraceptives in order to relieve hormone imbalance symptoms in younger women and women in their childbearing years. Depending on the type of pill that is used, these contraceptives will elevate estrogen and/or progesterone levels beyond the natural levels and decrease testosterone levels. Synthetic contraceptives have been linked to severe side effects such as frequent headaches, migraines, severe mood swings, depression, weight gain, and several different forms of cancer.

Oftentimes, women who are successfully treated using oral contraceptives will find that the negative side effects are worse than the symptoms of their original condition, and they will cease synthetic hormone replacement therapy altogether. If you are currently taking oral contraceptives and suffer from any of the aforementioned side effects, speak with a medical professional who specializes in bioidentical hormone therapy.

For more information about bioidentical hormones Phoenix and Scottsdale, or to make an appointment with a bioidentical hormone doctor, please contact Southwest Integrative Medicine. Our practice is dedicated to providing the best of eastern and western medical traditions in order to provide the least invasive, most effective treatments . Click on the link below for a free consultation. We look forward to working with you.