BioIdentical Hormone Replacement: Is it Right For You?

When experiencing menstrual changes – from PMS to menopause –  women are often confused about the differences between natural, synthetic and bioidentical hormones. With more than 48 million women going through The Change at the same time, it’s important for them to understand their choices and whether or not they need Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT).

Natural Hormones come from a plant, mineral, or animal source. They are not easily, if ever, converted to an identical match to those found in the female body. Products in this
 category include prescription HRT formulas and over-the-counter soy and yam-based products.

Synthetic Hormones are created in a lab and are a close match to bioidentical. These are available by prescription or over-the-counter.

Bioidentical Hormones (Bi-HRT) are identical in chemical and molecular structure to hormones made by a woman’s body. They have been prescribed by doctors for years, are easily adjusted to a woman’s individual needs, and may be based on a panel of hormone tests. Many formulas are available from retail pharmacies and formulary (compounding) pharmacies, which create custom products based on a physician’s order. The molecules for which we generally seek replacement include progesterone, testosterone, DHEA, and three types of estrogen (estrone, estradiol, and estriol).

How do Bioidentical Hormones Work?
The body is swimming in hormones that act like keys in a lock. Basically, hormones are comprised of a solid steroid base decorated with “arms” and “legs.” These attachments turn hormones into specialized molecules (the keys), which plug into receptor molecules (the locks), triggering biochemical reactions in the body. If hormonal replacement therapy doesn’t follow the design our cells have evolved to recognize, women may experience side effects ranging from general discomfort to increased risk for serious illnesses.

How are Custom Bioidentical Hormones Made?
A healthcare practitioner begins with a saliva or blood test to assess hormone levels and ascertain a “recipe” for Bi-HRT unique to the patient. That formula is filled as a prescription by a compounding pharmacy, which is regulated by each state.

Is Bi-HRT a Safer, More Effective Alternative to Conventional HRT?
The long-term study, Women’s Health Initiative (WHI), looked at combined estrogen and progestin for preventing later-life illness. In 2002, the study was stopped because hormone users had a higher risk of breast cancer, heart disease, stroke, and blood clots. Fearful of these results, many women and their doctors concluded they must discontinue hormone therapy. For these women, hot flashes, sleeplessness, and other menopausal symptoms returned with a vengeance. However, it should be noted that conventional HRT is considered an effective approach and studies of Bi-HRT have had promising results; several have gained FDA approval (e.g., Estraderm, Vivelle, Estrogel) and may ease mood, sleep disturbance, anxiety and hot flashes. Bioidentical estrogens are the treatment of choice in Europe and becoming more widely used in the U.S.

Not every woman needs HRT, nor does every doctor recommend it. This is best decided on an individual basis between each woman and her Naturopathic Doctor.  While working with my patients in Walnut Creek, I use the most appropriate therapy indicated for them.  Some women don’t want hormone replacement therapy – for them we utilize supplements and herbal formulations to help treat their symptoms.

Resources

Harvard Health Online. “What are Bioidentical Hormones?” Accessed on March 23, 2016. http://www.health.harvard.edu/womens-health/what-are-bioidentical-hormones

Lucille, H. Creating and Maintaining Balance: A woman’s guide to safe, natural hormone health.” (e-book) Available from:  http://drhollylucille.com/product/creating-and-maintaining-balance/

WomenInBalance.Org. National College of Natural Medicine. “About Hormones.”  Accessed on March 23, 2016. http://womeninbalance.org/about-hormone-imbalance/
also see: “Testing, Not Guessing: Alternatives to HRT”  http://womeninbalance.org/wp-content/blogs.dir/36/files/2012/10/Alternatives-to-HRT.pd
also see: “Research & Resources for Women in Balance”  http://womeninbalance.org/resources-research/

Research Summaries:  http://research.womeninbalance.org
 
Stephenson, K., et al., “The effects of compounded bioidentical transdermal hormone therapy on hemostatic, inflammatory, immune factors; cardiovascular biomarkers; quality-of-life measures; and health outcomes in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women.” Int J Pharm Compd. (2013, Jan-Feb) 17(1): 74-85. PMID: 23626249 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23627249
 
Holtorf, K. “The bioidentical hormone debate: are bioidentical hormones (estradiol, estriol, and progesterone) safer or more efficacious than commonly used synthetic versions in hormone replacement therapy?” Postgrad Med. (2009) 121(1): 73-85. doi: 10.3810/pgm.2009.01.1949. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19179815
 
The North American Menopause Society. “Bioidentical Hormone Therapy.” Accessed on March 23, 2016. http://www.menopause.org/publications/clinical-practice-materials/bioidentical-hormone-therapy
 
Mayo Clinic Online. “Menopause.” Accessed on March 23, 2016. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menopause/expert-answers/bioidentical-hormones/faq-20058460
 
Northrup, Christiane. The Wisdom of Menopause: Creating Physical and Emotional Health During the Change (Revised Edition). (2012) Bantam Books: Illinois.
 
Interview with Christiane Northrup (2009, 2012 follow-up).
 
Cirigliano, M. “Bioidentical hormone therapy: a review of the evidence.” Journal of Womens Health (2007, Jun) 15(5). pp 600-31. PMID: 17627398