Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) in Women
- Xenia
- Mar 13, 2025
- 3 min read
Updated: Dec 5, 2025
Hormone imbalances are a common concern for women, especially as they transition through perimenopause and menopause. Symptoms such as fatigue, weight gain, low libido, mood swings, and sleep disturbances often stem from shifting levels of testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone. Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) offers a natural and personalized approach to restoring hormonal balance and improving quality of life. If you are interested in bioidentical hormone therapy, contact Xenia, your functional medicine provider to discuss the options.
Understanding the Key Hormones in Women
Testosterone: The Overlooked Female Hormone
While testosterone is often considered a “male hormone,” it plays a crucial role in women’s health as well. Women produce testosterone in their ovaries and adrenal glands, and optimal levels are essential for:
Energy & Muscle Mass: Supports lean muscle tissue and strength.
Libido & Sexual Health: Enhances sexual desire and responsiveness.
Mood & Mental Clarity: Helps with motivation, cognitive function, and emotional well-being.
Bone Health: Contributes to bone density and reduces the risk of osteoporosis.
Signs of Low Testosterone in Women:
Persistent fatigue
Low libido and difficulty with arousal
Loss of muscle tone
Depression or mood swings
Difficulty losing weight
Estrogen Dominance: Too Much of a Good Thing
Estrogen is a key hormone in regulating the menstrual cycle and supporting cardiovascular, skin, and bone health. However, when estrogen levels become excessive relative to progesterone, women experience estrogen dominance, which can lead to:
Weight Gain: Especially around the hips and thighs.
Breast Tenderness & Fibroids: Estrogen stimulates breast tissue growth and fibroid development.
PMS & Mood Swings: High estrogen levels can contribute to irritability and anxiety.
Heavy or Irregular Periods: Often accompanied by painful cramps and clotting.
Causes of Estrogen Dominance:
Poor Liver Detoxification: The liver helps break down excess estrogen. When the liver is "sluggish" the detox pathways are not functioning as well, and this can lead to estrogen dominance.
Environmental Toxins (Xenoestrogens): Found in plastics, pesticides, and skincare products. Exposure to these chemicals can build up in a woman's body causing symptoms of estrogen dominance.
Elevated body weight: Fat tissue produces additional estrogen.
Low Progesterone Levels: Progesterone counterbalances estrogen, and when it drops, estrogen becomes dominant.
Progesterone: The Calming Hormone
Progesterone is essential for balancing estrogen, supporting mood stability, and promoting deep sleep. It also helps prepare the uterus for pregnancy and plays a key role in maintaining cognitive function.
Signs of Low Progesterone:
Anxiety & Insomnia
Feeling warm/hot at night
Irregular or Heavy Periods
Water Retention & Bloating
Increased PMS Symptoms
How Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) Helps Restore Balance
Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) uses hormones that are molecularly identical to those naturally produced by the body. Unlike synthetic hormone replacement, BHRT is customized based on lab testing and symptoms.
Testosterone Therapy for Women
BHRT can provide small doses of bioidentical testosterone to support energy, libido, and cognitive function. It is commonly administered as a cream, sublingual troche, or pellet therapy.
Addressing Estrogen Dominance
To correct estrogen dominance, BHRT providers often:
Balance Estrogen with Progesterone: Bioidentical progesterone is used to regulate cycles and reduce excess estrogen’s effects.
Support Liver Detoxification: Supplements like DIM (Diindolylmethane) and calcium-D-glucarate help the body metabolize and clear estrogen efficiently.
Reduce Xenoestrogen Exposure: Avoiding BPA, phthalates, and other endocrine disruptors supports hormonal balance.
Progesterone Supplementation
For women with low progesterone, bioidentical progesterone therapy (typically in the form of a cream, capsule, or troche) can:
Improve sleep quality
Reduce anxiety and mood swings
Regulate menstrual cycles and PMS symptoms
Is BHRT Right for You?
Women experiencing hormonal imbalances should consult with a functional medicine provider like Xenia Kempf to assess hormone levels via comprehensive testing (saliva, urine, or blood tests). BHRT should be tailored to individual needs to provide safe and effective hormone optimization.
Final Thoughts
BHRT offers a holistic and personalized approach to hormone balance, addressing the root causes of symptoms rather than masking them. By optimizing testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone levels, women can enhance energy, improve mood, support metabolic function, and regain overall well-being.
If you’re experiencing symptoms of hormonal imbalance, consider working with Xenia, a functional medicine practitioner in Austin, Texas to explore bioidentical hormone replacement therapy and create a customized wellness plan.
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