🌿 Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT): Whole-Body Benefits for Women in Perimenopause and Menopause

As you approach or go through menopause, your body makes less estrogen, progesterone, and sometimes testosterone. These changes can affect your entire body — not just your periods. Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) uses hormones that are chemically identical to what your body makes naturally to help relieve symptoms and protect long-term health.

Here’s how BHRT may benefit you — from head to toe.

🧠 Brain & Mood

• Improves focus and memory

• Helps stabilize mood and reduce anxiety or depression

• May lower the risk of memory loss when started early in menopause

Backed by: The KEEPS Trial (2015) showed better mood and memory with transdermal estradiol and natural progesterone.

❤️ Heart & Blood Vessels

• Supports healthy cholesterol levels

• Keeps blood vessels more flexible and helps maintain blood flow

• May reduce risk of heart disease when started near the time of menopause

Backed by: The ELITE Study (2016) found estrogen slowed artery thickening in women who started therapy early after menopause.

🦴 Bones & Joints

• Helps prevent bone loss and osteoporosis

• Reduces risk of fractures

• May ease joint pain and stiffness

Backed by: The Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) showed hormone therapy reduced hip fractures by 33%.

🧬 Metabolism & Weight

• Improves insulin sensitivity (helpful for prediabetes)

• May help reduce belly fat

• Helps maintain lean muscle mass

Backed by: KEEPS metabolic studies found improvements in blood sugar control and fat distribution.

🌸 Vaginal & Sexual Health

• Reduces vaginal dryness, burning, and pain

• Supports better sexual desire and comfort

• May prevent frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs)

Backed by: North American Menopause Society guidelines and studies on testosterone and vaginal estrogen therapy.

🧴 Skin & Hair

• Improves skin moisture, thickness, and elasticity

• May reduce wrinkles and signs of aging

• Helps slow hair thinning

Backed by: Research shows estrogen therapy supports skin collagen and improves skin structure.

😴 Sleep & Energy

• Promotes deeper, more restful sleep

• Reduces night sweats and hot flashes

• Leads to more daytime energy

Backed by: Studies show that progesterone improves sleep quality and estrogen reduces disruptive night symptoms.

🛡️ Immune System & Inflammation

• Lowers inflammation in the body

• May reduce flares of autoimmune conditions in some women

Backed by: Estrogen shown to reduce levels of inflammatory markers like CRP and IL-6.

Is BHRT Safe?

When used properly, and under medical supervision, BHRT is considered safe and effective for many women. The safest forms are:

• Transdermal estradiol (patch, cream, or gel)

• Micronized progesterone (oral or vaginal)

• Low-dose testosterone (for select women with low libido)

Is BHRT Right for You?

You may be a good candidate if you're experiencing:

• Hot flashes, poor sleep, or mood swings

• Vaginal dryness or painful sex

• Low energy or reduced muscle mass, weight gain

• Memory issues or brain fog

• Loss of bone density

Your provider will consider your medical history and symptoms to personalize the best plan for you.

🩺 Talk to us today

BHRT is not one-size-fits-all. At Conowingo Wellness, we help you find the right dose, delivery method, and balance of hormones to support your health and well-being.