Bioidentical Hormone Replacement for Women

In this article:

Women can suffer from a variety of hormone imbalances during different stages of their lives. These include PMS, polycystic ovarian syndrome, infertility, perimenopause and menopause.

During perimenopause, which can occur anytime from your mid 30′s to late 40′s, the menstral cycle may become quite erratic due to a decrease in progesterone production. A normal female produces between 20 to 40mg of progesterone a day during the second half of her cycle, however this is reduced significantly during perimenopause creating perimenopausal symptoms. Contrary to standard belief estrogen production often remains relatively stable (60 to 200mcg estradiol a day) during perimenopause and does not decline until menopause. Similarly testosterone’s production (0.3 to 0.5mg a day) does not fall until menopause. Adequate levels of progesterone are essential to effectively counterbalance your estrogens throughout the menstrual cycle and thus a decline in progesterone during perimenopause (or for PMS suffers) allows estrogen to go unopposed which results in a condition called estrogen dominance.

The symptoms of estrogen dominance during perimenopause are decreased sex drive, irregular and/or heavy periods, bloating and fluid retention, breast swelling, mood swings, weight gain, fuzzy thinking, anxiety, depression, acne, facial hair and headaches. Unfortunately there is a great deal of overlap in the symptoms of various hormone imbalances and it is not uncommon for women experiencing estrogen dominance to be given a script for more estrogen thus worsening her symptoms.

As women progress further along the time line and approach menopause propper progesterone levels continue to decline. Eventually once menopause is reached estrogen levels begin to decline, which usually results with an improvement in perimenopausal symptoms, as now the imbalance between the two hormones is not as great. Unfortunately a new list of symptoms develop due to low estrogen levels which may include: hot flushes, night sweats, loss of sexual desire, vaginal dryness, fuzzy thinking, urinary tract infections and dry skin. These symptoms may last from anywhere between a few months to many years depending on the individual.

There is no need for women to suffer from any hormonal imbalances as Individualised Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (IBHRT) is able to effectively treat the imbalance and thus overcome many of their symptoms.

What are bioidentical hormones?

In contrast to traditional HRT which utilizes synthetic or animal derived hormones, bioidentical hormones have a molecular structure which are an exact match of the hormones found in the human body, hence we call them bioidentical. Because bioidentical hormones are structurally identical to the hormones produced by our body they are more consistent with our bodies biochemistry.

Bioidentical hormones such as the three estrogens, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA and cortisol are all synthesized from a hormone precursor, extracted from either soy beans or wild yam, called diosgenin. Diosgenin has a molecular structure very similar to all these closely related hormones. Once the diosgenin has been extracted from the soy beans and purified its molecular structure is then modified in order to convert it into the appropriate hormone. Once the appropriate hormone has been made it is then purified according to pharmaceutical grade standards and then micronized to maximise absorption. Although these hormones are synthesized it should not be mistaken that they are synthetic. Synthetic refers that the molecule does not exist naturally, but has been designed and made by man to produce a totally new molecule that never existed before in nature.

The approach taken in IBHRT is to use an appropriate combination of bioidentical hormones, in individualised doses, according to an individual’s need in order to restore optimal physiological levels of each hormone thus ensuring an appropriate balance of all hormones. The doses used should ideally be based on hormone test results to ensure optimal physiological levels are obtained in conjunction with your signs and symptoms. We only ever recommend low physiological doses as opposed to high pharmacological dosing which are unnecessary and potentially dangerous. Ongoing monitoring while on any hormone replacement is also essential in order to ensure that the dose you are on maintain ongoing optimal physiological levels. In addition testing also ensures a healthy balance between the three main estrogens (estriol, estradiol and estrone) and their balance with progesterone. Maintaining an appropriate balance of all these hormones is essential to help minimise the risks of any side effects.

How to take Bioidentical Hormones

We believe that the best and safest method to administer bioidentical hormones is via a cream. Hormones administered by creams bypass the stomach and the first pass metabolism of the liver and thus allow lower physiological doses to be administered when compared to other methods such as capsules and troches (lozenges). The release of the hormone from the cream is more physiological providing a fairly consistent release over time without the significant fluctuations often observed with capsules and troches. Finally if estrogens are swollowed by capsule or troche they may be metabolised by bacteria in the bowel forming estrogens (estrone) that can increase the chance of blood clotting and thromboembolism. This effect is not observed with creams.

What are the risks of using Bioidentical Hormones?

With the release of the Womens Health Initiative trial study a few years ago many women have been too afraid to use any form of hormone replacement out of fear of developing breast cancer. What is not appropriately explained is that these findings were related to two very specific hormones, being conjugated estrogens derived from horse urine and a synthetic progestin. A recently published french study following over 3000 women for more than eight years using a bioidentical estradiol and progesterone combination was unable to find any increased risk of breast cancer using these hormones.

Dr Holtorf has published an excellent peer reviewed article in Postgraduate Medicine (Vol 121, 2009) titled “The Bioidentical Hormone Debate: Are Bioidentical Hormones safer or more efficacious than commonly used synthetic versions in hormone replacement therapy”. The conclusion of this review was that “the medical literature supports the claim that bioidentical hormones have some distinctly different, often oppersite, physiological effects to those of their synthetic counterparts. With respect to the risk for breast cancer, heart disease, heart attack and stroke, substantial scientific and medical evidence demonstartes that bioidentical hormones are safer and more efficacious form of HRT than commonly used synthetic versions”. For a shorter informal version of this paper – click here to view it.

Another comprehensive peer review of the safety and efficacy of bioidentical hormones for the management of menopause and related health risks was published in Alternative Medicine Review, Sept, 2006 by Deborah Moskowitz. The conclusion was “The use of bioidentical hormone therapy is well tolerated, provides symptom relief, and can address many of the health needs as well as the individual preferences of menopausal and perimenopausal women. Physicians are encouraged to take the time and effort to help women determine the regimen that best suits their needs, including testing hormone levels directly prior to supplementation and using the least amount necessary to achieve the desired results. This effort will undoubtedly pay off in fewer unwanted side effects and greater quality of life.”

The life extension foundation also authored “The White Paper. Bioidential Hormones: Why are they still so Controversial?” which is an excellent, well referenced paper in full suport of using Bioidentical hormones as oposed to their synthetic counterparts.

In a study published in the journal Breast Cancer Research and Treatment (107, 103-111, 2008) 80,000 postmenopausal women using various forms of HRT were followed for 8 years. Women using estrogen with a non-bioidentical progestin had a 69% increased risk of breast cancer, compared to women who never used HRT. While those using bioidentical progesterone in combination with an estrogen the risk was completely eliminated.

For more detailed information on the risk of breast cancer associated with estrogen replacement click here.

To download several audio podcast lectures presented on bioidentical hormones in regards to their safety, the evidence for their use, dosage protocols, etc presented at the 05 and 06 International Congress of Anti-Aging presented by a number of hormone experts – click here.

As with any form of therapy there is always some risk involved, even with bioidentical hormones. If the doses being used are incorrect side effects will occur due to hormone imbalance and certain imbalances can increase your risk of breast cancer. If doses are excessive side effects will occur due to toxicity. If doses are insufficient little beneficial effect will be observed. Therefore it is critical that all hormones are dosed correctly and an adequate hormone balance is maintained. For this reason we stress the importance of hormone testing in order to identify any dosage problems at an early stage and rectify them before any problems may arise.

How Effective are Bioidentical Hormones?

We are often asked how effective are these hormones in treating hormonal imbalances such as menopause. Often when women ask their doctors about these hormones the relpy is that they do not work, it is a placebo effect, or something of that nature, which indicates that they have have not been given correct information in regards to these hormones. Click here to find out why some doctors are so critical of bioidentical Hormones.

Hormonal symptoms like those experienced during perimenopause and menopause are the result of a hormonal imbalance. If the imbalance has been treated appropriately with the correct doses of the right hormones and all your hormones are at their optimal physiological levels and appropriately balanced then there should not be any symptoms remaining at all. If symptoms still occur while on bioidentical hormones it indicates that your doses are not suitable and need adjusting.

In addition to sex hormone rebalancing it is also very important to address other factors responsible for creating the hormone imbalance to begin with. Insulin resistance, stress, weight gain, inflammation and buried emotions may be the reason your hormones are imbalanced and thus also need attention so that you do not need to rely on hormones long term.

How to get started?

Ask your doctor to organise the appropriate hormone tests. If they are unaware of bioidentical hormones but are open to learn how to prescribe them they can contact us directly for a physicians information pack.

If your doctor refuses to co-operate you can contact us for a phone consultation where we can arrange the hormone testing and make recommendations based on your history, symptoms and test results. We will then put you into contact with a sympathetic doctor if you require any scripts for bioidentical hormones.

Click here to find out why some doctors are so critical of bioidentical Hormones.

Esoteric Healing

Any women whom suffers from menstral and/or menopausal symptoms also needs to be aware of the underlying energy involved. Whenever a women looses touch with their self nurturing, female aspect and take on a more male orientated energy it causes is disruption in the ovaries and breasts causing menstral and/or breast problems. Women need to reclaim their self nurturing femaleness and techniques such as esoteric healing can help facilitate this process. This step is most important because if you seek treatment in the form of a hormone without addressing this you will only improve your bodily function but will not truely heal and restore harmony back into your body. Restoring function without addressing the underlying energy will only bury the ill energy deeper in your body which will arise again in the future with a greater force and thus more severe symptoms.

Want More Information?

For practitioner advice on how to optimize bioidentical hormone treatment, monitor hormone levels and for specific information on estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA and cortisol you will be required to log into the restricted members area of this site which is free of charge. Click on either Existing members or Set up a new account to enter restricted area.

Contact Us

In order to arrange a consultation or alternatively to obtain more information you can contact us.

Share and Enjoy: