Did you know Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy is for more than menopause or low testosterone?
We all know it’s important to keep the heart strong and fit for overall wellness, but did you know your hormones also play a critical role in heart health?
The hormones estrogen, progesterone and testosterone, often referred to as sex hormones, affect many systems in the body including your heart and circulatory system.
How sex hormones work to support a healthy heart
It is not a coincidence that as you age, and sex hormone levels fluctuate, the risk for heart disease increases.
Progesterone, associated with menstruation and pregnancy, is a hormone present in both men and women. Progesterone helps the body use and eliminate fats, lower cholesterol, and lower blood pressure. These functions are essential to keep your risk for developing heart disease down.
Estrogen has been shown to be a protective hormone for your heart and blood vessels by reducing build-up of fatty plaque. Low estrogen can lead to high cholesterol and puts you at a higher risk for developing heart disease. As women age past 40, estrogen naturally begins to decrease. Hormone replacement therapy for women is valuable, as low estrogen is related to a higher incidence of cardiovascular disease in post-menopausal women.
Too much or not enough testosterone may also lead to heart disease. High testosterone levels have shown an increased risk of blood pressure, heart attack and stroke, as well as lowering HDL cholesterol levels and raising LDL levels. Hormone replacement therapy for men with low testosterone may be a heart-healthy strategy as low T puts you at an even greater risk for poor cholesterol levels.
What is Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy?
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) augments natural hormone production, restoring it to normal levels using compounds identical in molecular structure and chemistry to the hormones naturally produced in your body.
What are the benefits of BHRT for heart health?
While there are many known benefits of BHRT for menopause, andropause and low T, the benefits of BHRT for heart health make this therapy a great option for life-long well-being.
Balancing your hormones with BHRT leads to:
- Decreased blood pressure by relaxing, smoothing and dilating blood vessels to increase blood flow
- Decreased accumulation of plaque in the arteries
- Reduced homocysteine or blood vessel inflammation
- Helps prevent muscle damage – and your heart is a muscle!
- Better lipid metabolism:
- Decreases LDL (bad cholesterol)
- Increases HDL (good cholesterol)
- Decreases triglycerides
- Protection against ischemic heart disease
- Eliminating free radicals, naturally occurring particles in the blood that can damage the arteries and tissues
By balancing hormone levels with BHRT, you may reduce the overall risk of heart disease by 40-50 percent!
What are your hormone replacement therapy options?
First, consult with your Forum Health provider about your hormone concerns so the necessary blood tests and recommendations can be made.
Depending on the needs of each unique patient, risks of bioidentical hormone replacement therapy will be discussed and your provider will determine the best dose of BHRT pellets.
Easy and Effective Administration of BHRT
BHRT pellets are our Forum Health provider’s preferred method of administration because they are safe and effective in most patients with minimal side effects. Each BHRT pellet is the size of a grain of rice and is inserted underneath the skin for a continuous and consistent release of the hormones.
BHRT pellets typically last a few months and are easily replaced by your provider.
Learn more or schedule your appointment today!
