Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy at CD Whyte Ridge

May 21st, 2009

By Dennis Wong

At CD Whyte Ridge Compounding Pharmacy one of our specialties are bio-identical hormone replacement therapies (BHRT). These are therapies designed to ameliorate the symptoms caused by menopause and other conditions. Basically as a woman gets older her hormone levels change and BHRT attempts to adjust the hormone level back to an optimal level.

What Are Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapies?
Bio-identical hormone replacement therapies (BHRT) involve using specially compounded mixtures of hormones or manufactured doses to replace those lost by the patient. Progesterone, estrogen and testosterone are all normal hormones but age and other factors change the amount within each individual’s body. BHRT changes the amount back to the optimal level for each individual. It is the focus on individual hormone levels as practiced by the CD Whyte Ridge Compounding Pharmacy that truly differentiates our BHRT therapies from commercial ones.

Manufactured hormones from drug companies have specific strengths and therefore there is no flexibility in dosages. Compounded BHRT therapies however can be tailored down to the lowest effective dose to make it a truly personalized therapy.

Also, by using hormone saliva testing (a simple, non-intrusive test of the patient’s saliva to determine what hormones are needed) we have a better idea how much of what hormone needs to be replaced. This type of testing means that Winnipeg’s CD Whyte Ridge compounding pharmacy can monitor conditions very closely throughout therapy.

In the Past
In the past hormone therapy was prescribed regularly to deal with symptoms of menopause. Hot flashes, vaginal dryness and night sweats were some of the symptoms that women faced and hormone therapy was found to be a solution. Unfortunately studies showed unsafe health risks brought about by the therapies, specifically an increased incidence of breast cancer, strokes and heart disease.

The Solution?
Bio-identical hormone replacement therapies were developed as a response to the dangers of normal hormone therapies. By using compounds developed from sources like yams and soya plants hormones are created that are molecularly identical to those found in the female body. That means that the body accepts the new hormones without many of the side effects of non-BHRT hormones.

It also means that monitoring the hormone level in the body is easy. A simple saliva test allows for the overall level of hormones (both naturally produced and introduced) to be measured very quickly and accurately.

In the End
In the final analysis it is up to you, the patient, to decide what therapies to follow. Compounded Bio-Identical Hormone therapies offer individualized hormone therapy tailor made to your particular needs. And you can use a Compounding Pharmacy like CD Whyte Ridge or the manufactured dosages prepared by a drug company.

Before you make any decision though you should talk with your own doctor because, after all, it’s your body!

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