Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy: implications for practice

Abstract

In recent years, there has been a cultural shift towards greater acknowledgement of the effects of menopause on women's health, wellbeing and their relationships at both work and home, and an awareness of the very acute need for these symptoms to be monitored and addressed holistically as and when they change. No longer is it accepted that women should just ‘get on with it’, or feel helpless that there are few resources available to help them. As a result, there has been an increase in interest in bio-identical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT), especially following a greater media coverage of celebrities who have shared their own personal stories of this treatment. This has created a snowball effect, resulting in specialist clinics receiving an influx of new patients seeking cohesive and comprehensive advice. This article aims to explore some of the current advice relating to menopause and in particular the difference between HRT and BHRT. The authors will explore how this can impact the role of the aesthetic practitioner in supporting patients with symptoms relating to the menopause effectively.