Bioidentical hormone therapy has been gaining popularity over the recent years, owing to its benefits in treating aging symptoms and conditions that arise from hormone imbalance. According to statistics, bioidentical hormones are now readily available, with many interested parties preferring to take prescribed bioidentical hormones. A vast 40% of users opt to take over-the-counter bioidentical hormones due to reasons such as privacy and affordability.

There has been a growing concern with a rapid surge in demand for over-the-counter bioidentical hormones, mainly focusing on its safety. This brings us to the agenda of the day that begs the question, “What are the risks of purchasing over-the-counter bioidentical hormones?”

What are over-the-counter bioidentical hormones?

Bioidentical hormones epitomize naturally occurring hormones in the body. They are derived from plant estrogens that are chemically structured to resemble manmade hormones. Testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone are some of the hormones replicated and utilized in bioidentical hormone replacement therapy to treat hormonal imbalances. Over the years, bioidentical hormones have infiltrated the market and can now be found on store and pharmaceutical shelves. This easy accessibility creates more options for interested parties to buy bioidentical hormones from over-the-counter. A larger percentage of bioidentical users will prefer prescription hormones over purchasing in stores.

Bioidentical hormones are available in a variety of options such as:

• Gels
• Pills
• Injections
• Patches
• Creams

What are the risks involved when purchasing over-the-counter bioidentical hormones?

Further hormone imbalances

When you go to your doctor for hormone imbalance concerns, you will undergo various tests to ensure that you are indeed suffering from a hormonal imbalance situation. By sampling your blood or saliva, your doctor will determine what hormones you need to restore balance and in what doses. Unfortunately, over-the-counter bioidentical hormones don’t offer this option. You risk inducing yourself with the wrong type of hormones or in incorrect quantities, which triggers further hormonal imbalance. Severe hormone imbalances could stress your body, reduce your quality of life, and increase your symptoms.

Cancer

Hormone replacement therapy has been linked to increasing your risk of contracting cancer, especially with uncontrolled doses and use. In most cases, your doctor will prescribe bioidentical hormones that can make the right change to your body, health, and lifestyle. Your doctor should guide you on making the right lifestyle choices to keep your cancer risk as low as possible. You don’t have the luxury of being knowledgeable on healthy habits to keep cancer risks low with over-the-counter bioidentical hormones. Your bioidentical hormone therapy physician is likely to guide you on maintaining a healthy weight, exercising, and eating healthy alongside taking your bioidentical hormones correctly.

Severe side effects

It is known that bioidentical hormone therapy tags along with some severe side effects, especially during the first dose. However, once the body gets accustomed to these new levels of hormones, the side effects should subside. Unfortunately, this is hardly the case with over-the-counter bioidentical hormones. With an uncalculated dose of bioidentical hormones, you will likely suffer from severe side effects that don’t subside. Some side effects include:

• Rapid weight gain.
• Severe cramping, spotting, and bloating.
• Fatigue, lack of concentration, and blurred vision.
• Mood swings.
• Indigestion and acne breakout.

Switching to compounded bioidentical or synthetic hormones unknowingly

With little information about hormone replacement therapy, you risk purchasing synthetic or compounded hormones that are thought to tag along with heftier health risks. These manufactured hormones mostly aren’t approved by the FDA but find themselves in the market nonetheless, thanks to unscrupulous dealers. You are in better hands when dealing with prescriptions and guidelines from a certified physician.

When should you call a bioidentical hormone therapy specialist?

Over-the-counter bioidentical hormones are generally discouraged due to their uncontrolled nature. Without the right doses, you risk making symptoms more severe or extending the side effects. If you feel that the over-the-counter bioidentical hormones are taking too long to work, or have strong effects, you might want to make an appointment with a bioidentical hormone therapy specialist. Your over-the-counter doses might be too high or too low, and sometimes, you aren’t even using the right hormones to restore the imbalance.

Do you suspect that you are suffering from hormonal imbalance? Talk to us today to get tested, confirm your suspicions, and get you to the path to achieving balance and happiness. Say no to reduced quality of life and get your life back on track! Call us now at (205) 352-9141!