What are Bioidentical Hormones?

Bioidentical hormones, also known as natural hormones, are referred to as bioidentical because their chemical formulas closely resemble that of the steroid sex hormones (estrogen, estriol, estradiol, progesterone, testosterone and cortisol) produced naturally by our human bodies.

Bioidentical hormones are derived from soy and yam oils that are transformed via pharmaceutical processes of concentration and purification into molecules that mimic the chemical structure of human hormones in their entirety. Short of human hormones, bioidentical hormones are the closest in chemical structure, actions and interaction to our own hormones.

Unlike non-human identical hormones, also called synthetic hormones, bioidentical hormones have a molecular structure that is similar to human hormones.  Bioidentical hormones fit the body’s hormone receptors perfectly and are accepted into and used by the body safely and effectively as though they were it’s own.

The Benefits of Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy

Bioidentical hormones act gentle to treat the root cause of hormone imbalances, deficiencies, and their attendant symptoms by mimicking the action of the human body’s own hormones.  Their perfect fit with human hormone receptors is the key to this supportive and safe action.  Once they are introduced into the human body and attached to the appropriate hormone receptors, bioidenticals have the same action as human hormones, and when properly titrated in physiologic doses, the results obtained provide an enhancement of overall wellbeing and an improvement in general health.

Bioidentical hormones can safely and effectively alleviate the symptoms of menopause and perimenopause like hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, depression, mood swings, anxiety, palpitations, loss of libido, irritability, recurrent urinary tract infections, joint pains, foggy thinking and fatigue.

Is Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy for You?

Numerous scientific studies over the course of the past 40 years have demonstrated the value and efficacy of bioidentical hormone therapies to improve quality of life in women and men.   The overarching message and recommendation is that bioidentical hormone therapy should be part of an individualized treatment program.

Hormone therapy should only be undertaken under the supervision of conventionally trained and clinically experienced physicians.   Ensure that your physician is trained in the specifics of bioidentical hormone therapies, has undergone rigorous evaluation and clinical support and has worked successfully with more than 200 patients over a minimum of 3 years with bioidentical hormone therapies.

We strongly recommend that you choose a physician trained by the Bioidentical Hormone Initiative (www.bioidenticalhormoneinitiative.org) who is actively involved in continuing education seminars and webinars that provide him/her with ongoing cutting edge information and support in the constantly expanding field of bioidentical hormone therapies.

For more information on the benefits of Bioidentical Hormone Therapy read the following related articles:

• Experts Agree that Hormone Therapy During Menopause is Right Treatment
• North American Menopause Society Reaffirms its position that Hormone Therapy is an Effective Treatment for Menopause
• Managing Hypothyroidsim with Bioidentical Hormones