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[W370]What Are Bioidentical Hormones

by Cathy Taylor, Cat

Recent research suggests that menopause can be treated with bioidentical hormones, a natural replacement for a woman's body, with no reported side effects.

In the past, menopause has been treated like a disease - primarily with Hormone Replacement Therapy or HRT (including Premarin, which is made from pregnant mare's urine, Prempro and Provera), which meant ingesting synthetic chemicals on a regular basis. Now we know that these drugs are causing the very problems we're trying to avoid including breast cancer and heart attacks.

Bioidentical means the hormone molecule in the product, for example progesterone cream, acts exactly like the molecules produced by the female body. They function in your body in a natural and normal way unlike synthetic chemicals. A "natural hormone" is really a compound synthesized in the lab from a natural source (such as soybeans used for estrogens and testosterone; or wild Mexican yam in the case of progesterone and sometimes testosterone).

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

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 bioidentical estrogens, testosterone or DHEA that can be made for you at a Compounding Pharmacy This is contrary to HRT treatments that are typically "one size fits all."

Most doctors prescribing bioidentical hormones find that a large percentage of women find some relief by using medical-grade supplements, over-the-counter bioidentical progesterone, and dietary and lifestyle changes (including the proper nutrition and exercise). And, for the percentage of women who need a little more help, most doctors don't support the idea that bioidentical hormones should be used indefinitely as some kind of fountain of youth.

Is it right for you to treat your menopause with bioidentical hormones? First you need to Consult with a Doctor to get the right answer for you. Once you know what you need, your doctor and you can work out the best alternative for your body.

Anti-Aging Directory, Answers All Your Questions About Bioidentical Hormones and Nutrition

The information in this article is for educational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice.

Recent
research suggests that menopause can be treated with bioidentical hormones, a
natural replacement for a woman's body, with no reported side effects.

In the
past, menopause has been treated like a disease - primarily with Hormone
Replacement Therapy or HRT (including Premarin, which is made from pregnant
mare’s urine, Prempro and Provera), which meant ingesting synthetic chemicals on
a regular basis. Now we know that these drugs are causing the very problems
we’re trying to avoid including breast cancer and heart attacks.

Bioidentical means the hormone molecule in the product, for example progesterone
cream, acts exactly like the molecules produced by the female body. They
function in your body in a natural and normal way unlike synthetic chemicals. A
“natural hormone" is really a compound synthesized in the lab from a natural
source (such as soybeans used for estrogens and testosterone; or wild Mexican
yam in the case of progesterone and sometimes testosterone). Synthetic hormones
are typically only available in oral form, but bioidentical hormones come in a
variety of delivery systems such as oral, transdermal patch, cream, lotion or
sublingual drops.

Bioidentical hormones recently caught mainstream attention in part because of
Suzanne Somer's new book,
. 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
bioidentical estrogens, testosterone or DHEA that can be made for you at a
. This is contrary to HRT treatments that are typically
“one size fits all."

Most
doctors prescribing bioidentical hormones find that a large percentage of women
find some relief by using medical-grade supplements, over-the-counter
bioidentical progesterone, and dietary and lifestyle changes (including the
proper nutrition and exercise). And, for the percentage of women who need a
little more help, most doctors don’t support the idea that bioidentical hormones
should be used indefinitely as some kind of fountain of youth.

Is it
right for you to treat your menopause with bioidentical hormones? First you need
to
to get the right answer for you. Once you know what
you need, your doctor and you can work out the best alternative for your body.

Article Source : Pg. 7

Cathy Taylor has sinced written about articles on various topics from Yoga Practice, Pregnancy Problems and Food And Drink. Cathy Taylor is a marketing consultant and freelance writer and can be reached at . Cathy Taylor's top article generates over 22200 views. to your Favourites.