Benefits of Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy

Many people ask me when I talk about my bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) experience: “Why did I start offering them?” The second question is always, “Women have testosterone?”

I started looking into offering BHRT in my practice about five years ago, but I needed to learn everything I could before I offered it to my patients. Around that time, my sister called me and asked, “Am I a difficult person to be around?” I saw this as an opportunity (thankfully, it was over the phone, so I could hang up if needed). I said, “Yes. Sometimes it is very hard talking to you without you getting defensive.” She openly asked, “What should I do?” I advised her to look at a company that offered BHRT, and I saw the transformation right in front of my face. Not only was she easier to talk to, but her body changed over the course of two years. She lost fat and built muscle without much effort. I was genuinely impressed at how far she had come.

Fast forward to 2020. You must take board exams every 10 years to maintain your certification as a physician.

BY RESIDENT KAJAL ROY, M.D.

I was sitting at my kitchen table studying (my kids were 9 and 10 at the time, and they knew not to be loud or disturb me). I found myself unable to focus for more than 5 minutes. My mind went down this rabbit hole of what could be happening to me. I would read a paragraph, get up, do things in the kitchen or fold laundry. To only come back to my books and have no clue as to what I read.

Something was not right! I sat there thinking that 10 years ago, I delivered my first child at the end of June and took my board exam at the beginning of August. I studied on the couch with my newborn in my lap and my books at my side and flew through the material without a problem. I have been practicing medicine for the last 10 years, every single day! Why is this so hard?

I went to see my doctor and will never forget her question. Do you meditate? Meditation can help many things, such as anxiety and focus, but that is a long-term solution. I needed something NOW! I smiled and said no, and then I left.

My silver lining for the COVID-19 pandemic was that the board of medicine stated I would not be able to take my exam, and they extended my certification until the following year. That gave me time to figure out what the heck was wrong with me. Finally, I checked my bloodwork, including hormone levels (testosterone is rarely checked in women). I found that my testosterone level was near zero. At that moment, with the numbers right in front of my face, I decided I needed to do something about my testosterone levels. I got my first set of pellets in 2021, and about seven to 10 days after, I noticed some remarkable changes. My focus was razor sharp; I could sit and knock out tasks, read for hours and understand and manipulate the information. Oh, and I passed my exam!

I also noticed that I had the energy to do things. Not hopped up on coffee energy, but just able and wanting to do more each day. Another positive my husband would tell you is that my libido is back. I didn’t realize it went somewhere. I have been on BHRT ever since and have now noticed the changes in my body. I can easily build muscle and lose fat (when I try). Before, I would gain 10 pounds just by looking at a candy bar. Now I only gain if I actually eat it.

Many women say to me that they didn’t realize that we need testosterone too. Yes, both men and women produce testosterone and estrogen. New evidence shows that women between the ages of 20-40 start losing their testosterone by 50% PER year. Men lose their testosterone by 1-3% annually between ages 30-70. Optimization of testosterone helps rebuild muscle mass (think stronger hips and shoulders as we age), improve bone density by 8% per year (bye-bye hip fractures), and increase focus, mental clarity, libido and performance. Testosterone decreases brain fog, depression, anxiety and risk for heart attacks, strokes and Alzheimer’s.

BHRT pellets last three to four months in women and up to five to six months for men. They are inserted under the skin, at which time blood vessels grow around them. As your heart rate increases, blood flow through those vessels increase (i.e., working out, stress, anxiety), and more hormone is released. When you sleep and your heart rate decreases, less hormone is released. This simulates precisely how your body would naturally respond. I struggled to write this article as my pellets were wearing off. I got another set of pellets three days ago and have written this article in less than an hour. It has been a game-changer.