Hormone replacement therapy has a health risk for many women while other women, who ignore the health warnings, have personal reasons for not using HRT .

One alternative treatment is bio-identical hormone replacement.

What is bio-identical hormone replacement?
The term “bio-identical” is used because the administered hormones are chemically synthesized and identical to the naturally occurring hormones of the human body.

Estradiol, progesterone, estriol (another natural estrogen), and testosterone are the most common. Based on the results of a person’s salivary hormone levels, a dose is created to provide the specific level of hormones each woman needs.

How is it any different from standard hormone replacement therapy?
Bio-identical hormones are often given as a topical cream or in a patch form that is said to be much more easily absorbed into the body.

In any case a lot can be done to alleviate the more unpleasant aspects of menopause without taking hormone replacement of any kind.

Do many of the same basic things you should do to stay healthy:

• Be active and get more exercise, don’t smoke, eat right and control your weight.
• Also, have regular checkups and ask your doctor whether you should take calcium and vitamin D.
• Have a breast exam and a mammogram.

And try and keep calm, remember these symptoms are temporary.

Tags: , bio-identical, breast, HRT