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Bio Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy

Are Bio Identical Hormones Safer?

The most common Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) for post- menopausal women is prescribed synthetic hormones such, as Prempro, Estratest, Provera and Premarin.

Those were produced by pharmaceutical manufacturers to mimic the action of natural hormones, many of which decrease dramatically with menopause, giving rise to hot flashes, osteoporosis and heart disease.

However, many problems have been associated with the use of synthetic hormones, such as a slight increase in the chance of developing breast cancer, as well as a slight increase in the risk of heart attacks. Recently, a large scale study of synthetic HRT, the Women's Health Initiative, was halted early due to these concerns.

The current thinking is that HRT therapy with synthetics should be a short term treatment only to relieve the effects of menopause.

Some doctors and researchers have speculated that the problem with synthetic hormones is that they do not exactly fit the body’s receptor sites and that this is what gives rise to the problems associated with their use. They feel the the use of bio identical hormones will solve the problems of hormone depletion without the complications.

Bio identical hormones are chemically identical to your true major ovarian hormones, progesterone, estrogen and testosterone. They are derived from soybeans or yams and are claimed to be identical to your ovarian hormones. They are supposed to fit the body’s hormone receptor sites exactly, thus giving you the full benefits of your natural hormones without increaing the risk of cancer or heart disease.

Before the Women’s Health Initiative studies got underway, it was speculated that synthetic HRT would lower the risk of heart disease, since that is one of the roles played by natural estrogen.

Proponents of bio identical HRT feel that the heart will be protected rather than be put at risk by this treatment.

Among the benefits claimed for bio identical HRT are protection against hardening of the arteries and decreased bone density, protection against heart attack, stroke, osteoporosis, and perhaps Alzheimer's disease.

These natural hormones will raise your hormone levels in the same way as the synthetics and to the same degree, giving you the same protective benefits that synthetic HRT’s offer without the risks.

And bio identical HRT need not be expensive.

While your hormone levels should be established by blood tests, there is no need for expensive Compounding Pharmacies to mix up a special batch just for you, at least according to Larrian Gillespie, The Hormone Diva and author of You're Not Crazy It's Your Hormones: The Hormone Diva's Workbook.

She recommends low dose estradiol and, if you have a uterus, vaginal progesterone 50mg every 3-4 months for 4 days.

If the thyroid is normal, nothing else is needed. This therapy will not cost you a lot of money.

If you are worried about taking synthetic hormones consult your physician about the use of bio-identicals. You may be able to get the benefits of HRT without having to worry about the risks.

This article is for informational purposes only. It does not purport to render medical advice.

 

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