Bio-identical Hormones

For the last 60 years Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), involved using synthetic hormones to keep post menopausal women young and forever feminine.  

Now, women are turning to bio-identical hormone therapy (BHRT) as a superior form of HRT.

Bioidentical hormones are made in a laboratory usually from the components of yams to match exactly the molecular structure of the hormones that were normally made in the ovaries. 

The molecular structure of these hormones is indistinguishable from that of natural hormones produced in the body.

Synthetic hormones are typically only available in oral form, but bio-identical hormones come in a variety of delivery systems such as oral, transdermal patch, cream, lotion or sublingual drops. Bio-identical hormones recently caught mainstream attention in part because of Suzanne Somer's new book, The Sexy Years

In contrast, synthetic hormones are designed by drug companies to be different from the naturally occurring hormones in the body so they can be patented.

The structure of these synthetic hormones has been altered in a small way. Originally thought to be insignificant, these subtle changes have now been shown to be dangerous.

It has just shown that Provera — a synthetic non-bio-identical progesterone — may be the “bad actor” in increasing the rate of breast cancer.

Premarin, the most commonly prescribed estrogen is natural to a horse, being derived from pregnant mare’s urine (hence the name “Premarin”). But this estrogen is not bio-identical to a woman’s.

Typically a successful approach to dealing with a woman’s menopausal symptoms is to begin with laboratory tests of hormone levels called a “hormone panel.” The doctor can then prescribe a precise dosage of bio-identical estrogens, testosterone, progesterone or DHEA that can be made at a Compounding Pharmacy. This is contrary to HRT treatments that are typically “one size fits all.”