As the process of menopause begins the ovaries slowly stop producing hormones, leading to symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal atrophy, fatigue and irritability. Many women find these symptoms to be severe and hard to deal with on a daily basis. For those women it may be time to consider bio-identical hormone replacement therapy as a safe treatment option.  

Bio-identical hormones are made with compounds taken from plants like soybeans and wild yams. The compounds are altered to exactly match the chemical formula of hormones produced by the human body, which makes them safer and more effective than synthetic hormones. Bio-identical hormones can also be specifically tailored for each patient.

Synthetic hormones, on the other hand, are a foreign substance to the human body because they have a different chemical structure than natural human hormones. They can carry mild side effects such as mood swings, bloating and headaches, as well as more serious side effects like an increased risk of cancer, heart attack and blood clots. Some of the most common synthetic hormones used to treat the symptoms of menopause include Premarin, Prempro and Provera.

Another important difference between synthetic and bio-identical hormone therapy is the way in which the hormones are administered. Synthetic hormones are usually taken orally which means they are altered when they pass through the liver. Bio-identical hormones are administered through creams, gels, patches and pellets imbedded in the skin.

If you think bio-identical hormone replacement therapy may be right for you, call the Dr. John R. Woodward at (972) 566-7871 to schedule an appointment today. Dr. Woodward has 30 years of experience with bio-identical hormone replacement therapy. He is also board certified in gynecology.