Hormones
Therapy
What are Bio-Identical Hormones?
Bio-identical hormones are medications that match the hormones in your body. They are created in a lab to have the same molecular structure. They are plant based and are made from different plants such as soy and wild yam.
The difference between bio-identical and non bio-identical hormones
Bio-identical hormones are created in a lab. They are designed to match the hormones that our bodies create. Non bio-identical hormones do not match our hormones. For example, premarin is an estrogen that comes from a horse. A horse’s estrogen is different molecularly from human estrogen.
Where can you get hormones?
Non-bioidentical hormones will come from your regular (conventional) pharmacy. You can get bio-identical hormones from your conventional pharmacy and from a compounding pharmacy. Hormones that come from conventional pharmacy will contain more inactive ingredients, such as fillers and dyes. A lot of patients react to these inactive ingredients. It’s always best to discuss the different preparations with your doctor in order to determine what is best for you.
Different Forms and Applications
Conventional preparations includes patches, gels, vaginal rings, creams and pills. Compounded preparations includes creams, pellets, suppositories and pills. Each preparation will have its pros and cons.
Want to know what we can do for you?
Noticeable Benefits of Hormones
• Decreased Joint Pain
• Increased energy
• Increased sex drive
• Resolves hot flashes and night sweats
• Improves skin
• Better sleep
• Improved mental clarity and memory
• Improved muscle mass
• Improved mood
• Decreased UTIs
• Improves Incontinence
• Resolves vaginal dryness
• Improved recovery and healing
Other Benefits
• Improved lipids
• Improved insulin sensitivity
• Improved bone density
Known Risks of Hormones
- Estrogens increase the risk of of getting endometrial cancer. This only occurs in a women that have not had a hysterectomy and are not taking progesterone with their estrogen.
- Oral estrogens increase the risk of blood clots and stroke.
- Progestins (non bio-identical progesterone) increases the risk of getting breast cancer.
The increased risk of heart attack and stroke significantly decreases with transdermal preparations (creams, patches, gels and pellets), this is why I never prescribe oral estrogens or testosterone. I only use transdermal preparations in my clinic.
How long can I be on Hormones?
There is a debate among the medical community about which preparation of hormones is safest to use and the length of time to use them. It is always best to discuss your risks and benefits with a doctor that is knowledgeable in this area.
More research is needed on bioidentical hormones, but the studies that have been published demonstrate that hormone can be used and prescribed safely.
Remember your doctor should always run labs while reviewing your personal and family health history. Hormones that are prescribed should be different for each person as you are not a one-size fits all.