by Dr. Kristen Bovee, Peninsula Naturopathic Clinic –
A major part of my practice is supporting women of all ages with hormonal issues. Hormonal wellness is fundamental to a woman’s health because hormones can affect the delicate balance of systems in our body including our nervous, endocrine, digestive, skeletal and cardiovascular systems. They have a powerful affect on making these systems work together in harmony to maintain a healthy functioning body. However, when hormones become unbalanced, it is no wonder women seek help because of the many symptoms that can arise as a result.
Our current medical system offers a limited number of options to help correct hormonal imbalances. In adolescence, the birth control pill is offered to lighten periods and clear acne. During reproductive years, fertility challenges may lead to expensive and invasive approaches to conception rather than supporting a woman’s health as a whole. In perimenopause, the birth control pill is offered again to lighten periods and offer regularity. During menopause, synthetic estrogen is given to mitigate hot flashes and night sweats. Sleeping pills may also be prescribed for insomnia as well as antidepressants for mood changes. For hypothyroidism, one is often prescribed a synthetic inactive thyroid hormone replacement
Bio identical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) is a hormonal approach that seems to bridge the gap between synthetic pharmaceuticals and natural medicine. Many times, if a woman is experiencing extreme symptoms of a hormone imbalance, I will immediately suggest BHRT to get her support quickly. Bio identical hormone replacement means exactly that; using an exogenous hormone that looks exactly like the hormone our bodies use. Synthetic forms of estrogen, progesterone and thyroid hormone are metabolized by the liver and used by our cells differently. Although some of our symptoms may improve, it is a foreign agent working in the place of what our bodies are used to and can potentially cause risks that can be worse than the symptoms one is trying to treat.
Bio identical estrogen comes in two main forms, estradiol and estriol (E2 and E3 respectively). Estradiol can be taken orally or topically via compounded cream for hot flashes, night sweats, menopausal anxiety and insomnia. Estriol is a form of estrogen that is regularly compounded as a vaginal cream for incontinence and vaginal atrophy. Progesterone is also taken as an oral (pill) form or compounded cream. It must be prescribed when a woman is taking estrogen and still has a uterus. Given at bedtime in a sustained release form, progesterone has been clinically shown to improve sleep. It is used for women with heavy periods, fertility issues and PMS. It is my favourite female hormone. Desiccated thyroid is natural thyroid that provides the body with both active (T3) and inactive (T4) forms of thyroid hormone. One should always be tested for both hormones since our pituitary often does not function to its optimum, skewing our diagnosis for hypothyroidism.
Bio identical hormones are regularly used safely as support for women of all ages. As we pass through different stages of our lives, our body changes and one of the greatest impacts on our health is our hormones. Using natural approaches can safely balance our hormones while making us feel better as we age. Naturopathic doctors are medically trained to use and prescribe BHRT and will also support other systems to achieve an overall healthy body balance.
