When you visit a functional medicine Toronto clinician, you can ask questions about your health. This article explains the term “bio-identical hormones” and what to discuss with a health care practitioner.

Hormones synchronize our bodily functions, so no matter what, we need them! They’re integral because they transport “signals” from your bloodstream to other body sites, such as your muscles. These “signals” tell the body what (and when) to conduct a task – take sleeping, for instance. 

When you have excessive or inadequate amounts of hormones, this is a hormone imbalance, and it can affect both the female and male body. These wonky levels can happen on a short-term or long-term basis, and living with uneven hormones can burden brain health, metabolism, and other elements. In some cases, treatments are required for improving the quality of life. 

Hormonal health can be complex, and understanding the different factors involved may help you make more informed decisions about your care. At our Toronto integrative and functional medicine clinic, we take an individualized approach to exploring hormonal health concerns, considering your symptoms, medical history, and overall well-being. Here’s a closer look at some of the factors involved in hormonal health and how they may be discussed during a consultation.

What exactly are bio-identical hormones?

Bioidentical hormones are hormones that have the same chemical structure as those naturally produced by the human body. They may be manufactured using compounds derived from plant sources, which undergo processing to create hormones that are chemically identical to their naturally occurring counterparts.

The term “bioidentical” refers specifically to the hormone’s molecular structure rather than its effectiveness, safety, or suitability for a particular individual. Understanding this distinction can help patients have more informed conversations with their healthcare practitioners about hormone health and the different considerations involved in hormone-related care.

Suggested Reading: What You Didn’t Know About Perimenopause: A Functional Medicine Toronto Explanation

Hormonal Health: Symptoms and Considerations

Hormonal changes may be associated with a variety of physical, emotional, and cognitive symptoms. Some concerns that patients may wish to discuss with their healthcare practitioner include:

• Irregular menstrual cycles or changes in menstrual patterns
• Vaginal dryness or discomfort
• Hot flashes and night sweats
• Changes in sleep quality or persistent fatigue
• Mood changes, anxiety, or irritability
• Difficulty concentrating, memory concerns, or brain fog
• Symptoms associated with perimenopause or menopause

These symptoms can have multiple contributing factors and do not necessarily indicate a hormonal imbalance. A review of your medical history, symptoms, and relevant test results may help your healthcare practitioner determine whether further assessment is appropriate.

What Should You Know About Bioidentical Hormones?

Hormone-containing products may carry potential risks and side effects, depending on their ingredients, dosage, and an individual’s medical history. These risks vary depending on the type of hormone, how it is used, and individual health factors.

Some forms of hormone therapy can also carry serious risks, including blood clots, stroke, or certain cancers; the risks depend on the product and the person.

The term “bioidentical” does not automatically mean a hormone product is safer or carries fewer risks. Understanding these distinctions can help patients have informed discussions with their healthcare practitioners about potential safety considerations.

Research continues to explore the safety profiles of different hormone formulations, including those described as bioidentical. While some studies have examined differences in potential health risks, the findings cannot necessarily be applied to every hormone product or individual.

Factors such as hormone composition, dosage, method of administration, and personal medical history may influence the risks involved. As a result, the term “bioidentical” alone is not sufficient to determine whether a particular hormone product has a more favourable safety profile.

In addition to the potential health risks discussed above, some hormone-containing products may be associated with side effects such as digestive discomfort, mood changes, or other physical symptoms. The nature and likelihood of these effects can vary depending on the specific formulation, dosage, and individual health factors.

A person’s medical history, existing health conditions, and current medications are also important considerations when evaluating hormone-related information. Understanding these factors can help patients have more informed conversations with their healthcare practitioners about potential risks, uncertainties, and their overall hormonal health.

What happens during a hormone health visit?

During a hormone health consultation, your healthcare practitioner may review your symptoms, medical history, lifestyle factors, and personal health goals to better understand your concerns.

To prepare for your visit, consider bringing a list of your current medications and supplements, previous laboratory results, and any changes you’ve noticed in your menstrual cycle, sleep, mood, or energy levels. Your personal and family medical history, including any history of hormone-sensitive cancers or blood clots, may also be relevant to the discussion.

Depending on your individual circumstances, your healthcare practitioner can discuss whether additional assessments or laboratory testing may be appropriate and explain how the findings relate to your overall hormonal health.

At the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre, a health consultation includes your symptoms, health history and lifestyle. Core tests, including our DUTCH test for adrenal and sex hormones, may be conducted to quantify hormone levels. Once test results and your health status have been sorted, we can discuss your next steps. Other supportive strategies may include naturopathic medicine, IV therapy, and lifestyle modifications.

How does your hormonal health hold up? Find out with functional medicine testing and we’ll introduce you to our personalized integrative medicine services. We invite you to become a new patient today.

About our functional medicine approach to health care

A customize wellness strategy can benefit a wide range of conditions, such as those related to active thyroid function, sexual health, nutritional deficiencies, body aches, autoimmune illness and chronic symptoms. 

Inside our clinic and IV Lounge, integrative medicine services are available. This can inspire you to take ownership of your health while exploring the synergy of alternative treatment options. By combining modalities, you can support individual symptoms and address the origin of your health issue. 

Some of the functional medicine therapies we offer include (but are not limited to): 

• Western medicine (allopathic)
• Naturopathic medicine
• Traditional Chinese Medicine
• Hormone health assessments
• Intravenous therapy (IV therapy)
• Acupuncture
• Herbal medicine

Each of our therapies, including drips from our IV Lounge, is correlated with integrative functional medicine wisdom. Our compassionate health team respects each patient’s unique expression of health. With that, a tailored comprehensive treatment plan can impact your health goals – this is because a custom program caters to your biology only. 

What does your body need to unlock improvement? Let’s talk about your health concerns and next steps. Clinical nutrition and functional medicine from our Toronto clinic can help you step towards optimal wellness – call us to request your first appointment.

Disclaimer: The information in this article is designed for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. This information should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting a doctor. Consult with a health care practitioner before relying on any information in this article or on this website.

 

References

Harper-Harrison G, Shanahan MM. Hormone Replacement Therapy. [Updated 2023 Feb 20]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK493191/

Holtorf K. The bioidentical hormone debate: are bioidentical hormones (estradiol, estriol, and progesterone) safer or more efficacious than commonly used synthetic versions in hormone replacement therapy? Postgrad Med. 2009 Jan;121(1):73-85. doi: 10.3810/pgm.2009.01.1949. PMID: 19179815.

Moskowitz D. A comprehensive review of the safety and efficacy of bioidentical hormones for the management of menopause and related health risks. Altern Med Rev. 2006 Sep;11(3):208-23. PMID: 17217322.

Sites CK. Bioidentical Hormones for Menopausal Therapy. Women’s Health. 2008;4(2):163-171. doi:10.2217/17455057.4.2.163

Sizar O, Schwartz J. Hypogonadism. 2022 Jun 27. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. PMID: 30422528.

Thompson, J.J., Ritenbaugh, C. & Nichter, M. Why women choose compounded bioidentical hormone therapy: lessons from a qualitative study of menopausal decision-making. BMC Women’s Health 17, 97 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-017-0449-0