How Long Can a Woman Take Bioidentical Hormones?

Bioidentical hormones may be the treatment option that you are looking for. These are artificial hormones that are designed to be similar to the hormones that your body already produces. You can take them in order to help balance out your natural hormones when they are low. Your doctor can help determine whether taking these will be able to help you feel better, but you may wonder how long you should take these hormones.

According to CurateMD Skin Bar and Wellness Clinic, a local med spa who has made some recent updates, it is recommended that women who are in menopause and are taking these hormones should only take them for a maximum of five years. It is possible that the symptoms may return when you are done with that five years, but there are other hormonal replacement therapies that you can try that are safer for you. You can work with a healthcare professional to make sure that you are taking the hormones properly and to figure out how long you should take them. 

Bioidentical hormone therapy is going to be a great option to help you to fix some of the hormone deficiencies that you may have, especially during menopause, but you do need to use them under the supervision of your doctor. Let’s take a closer look at them to see how these work and why they may be a good option for you.

How Many Years Can I Take Bioidentical Hormones?

Women who are put on bioidentical hormones will find that it provides them with a good amount of relief. They often go on them during perimenopause or menopause to help them balance their hormones and feel better overall. But once you go on them, you may worry about what will happen when you go off them.

Bioidentical hormone therapy is going to use processed hormones that come from plants. Some of the most common types of these hormones include testosterone, progesterone, and estrogen. These can be helpful when you are working to help fight off some of the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause. They are often seen as safer than some of the other options on the market, providing you with the good health you need.

Most women should only be on these bioidentical hormones for about five years or less. This is often enough time to get the woman through menopause so that it will not be so rough when she goes off them. However, there are some cases when the symptoms come back after the hormones are removed. Your doctor should work with you to determine what other treatments you can use to help if this happens to you.

How are Bioidentical Hormones Given?

There are different forms that you can get bioidentical hormones from. It will depend on the amount of hormone that you need and which method you will be able to use. Some of the options that you can choose with the help of your doctor include:

• Implanted pellets
• Shots
• Gels
• Creams
• Patches
• Pills

You and your doctor will be able to discuss some of the different forms to see which one will be right for your needs.

Are Bioidentical Hormones Safe?

These bioidentical hormones are approved by the FDA, and they have gone through testing to show they are safe. This is good news for those who would like to use them because they have been tested and have passed all of the strict standards of the FDA. While there are risks that come with taking any type of hormone treatment, if you and your doctor come up with a good treatment plan, these hormones are going to be a good option to help you feel good. Always weigh the pros and cons ahead of time to see if these are right for you.

What are the Risks of Bioidentical Hormones?

There are always some risks to taking any type of hormone on a regular basis. For example, taking these hormones can increase the risk of gallbladder disease, stroke, and blood clots. If you use hormonal therapy for a long time or are older, your risk for cancer and heart disease will go up as well. You need to discuss some of these risks with your doctor to see whether they are a concern before you decide to take these hormones.

Choosing Bioidentical Hormones

There are a lot of reasons why you would want to choose to take bioidentical hormones, especially as you age and find that your hormones are no longer able to keep up with the levels they did in the past. But you do need to know the risks and be careful about how long you take these hormones. For most women, it is best not to take the hormones for more than five years, but you can discuss this with your doctor to find the best treatment options for you.