What are:
Natural plant-derived bio-identical hormones?

Natural bio-identical hormones are those which have the exact same molecular structure as those produced by the human body. Precursors of these hormones are found in Mexican yam and soybean and are processed in the laboratory into bio-identical hormones.

What does human estrogen consist of?

Estrogen is not a hormone but a class of hormones of which there are many. Human estrogen consists of three hormones, namely estradiol (10-20%), estrone (10-20%) and estriol (60-80%).

Estradiol is the primary estrogen of ovarian origin and the major estrogen in pre-menopausal women and is the form of estrogen used in estrogen patches. Estrone, the primary estrogenic substance in post-menopausal women is made from conversion of androstenedione and estradiol primarily in the liver.

Estriol is a relatively weak estrogen created from the metabolism of estrone and possibly estradiol. It is at its highest level during pregnancy, and has functions related to fetal development. While producing relatively little endometrial and breast tissue stimulation, estriol is effective in relieving symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes and vaginal atrophy, thus providing some of the beneficial effects of estrogen therapy while avoiding the undesirable side effects such as breakthrough bleeding, breast tenderness and sensitivity, headaches, etc. The tri-estrogen formula consisting of 80% estriol, 10% estradiol and 10% estrone is designed to maximize the benefits of estrogen while minimizing the risks.

. While the estrogens stop bone loss, progesterone actually stimulates production of new bone and protects against osteoporosis. Testosterone, in appropriate doses for women has been shown to have beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system, helps prevent and reverse osteoporosis, and enhances libido.

Bio-Identical hormone replacement relieves menopausal symptoms, prevents and reverses osteoporosis, reduces the risk of heart disease, improves lipid profile with less unwanted side effects than synthetic hormones..

However, because there are risks associated with estrogen, the decision of whether or not to use hormone replacement should be made on an individual basis after a detailed discussion with one's physician. The doctor, pharmacist and patient work together to reach a combination of bio-identical hormones that is appropriate and beneficial to the patient.

There are progesterone receptors in all parts of the body, notably in the brain, the bones and breast tissue among others. One of the most important functions of bio-identical progesterone is its effects on bone. Estrogen stops bone loss by inhibiting the osteoclasts (cells which cause bone loss) preserving old bone while progesterone stimulates the osteoblasts (cells which create new bone). Thus bio-identical progesterone is very involved in the production of new bone and very important in the battle against osteoporosis. Bio-identical progesterone can be considered an anti-estrogen in that it protects against the undesirable effects of estrogen whether caused by endogenous estrogen, xenoestrogens from the environment, or estrogen supplementation for menopause. Surgically menopaused women who are taking unopposed estrogen are not receiving the protection of bio-identical progesterone and as well they do not have the benefit of progesterone's activity against osteoporosis. Nor do they benefit from any of the other many functions of bio-identical progesterone.

Functions of Bio-Identical Progesterone:

Progesterone is a precursor of other sex hormones, including estrogen and testosterone.

The benefits of Testosterone

In some cases, it is necessary to consider the addition of testosterone to a woman's hormone replacement regimen. Typically thought of as a male hormone, testosterone is also produced by the female ovaries and is essential to normal sexual development. Testosterone plays an important role in maintaining libido, energy, as well as the integrity of skin, muscle and bone.

As a woman enters the transitions of menopause, circulating androgens begin to decrease as a result of age-related reductions in adrenal and ovarian secretions. After menopause, a woman's total estrogen production decreases by 50% to 60%, and androgen production decreases by as much as 50%. Any women who has been surgically menopaused is deficient in androgens as well as estrogens. It is possible to supplement a woman's testosterone deficiency with the same bio-identical testosterone she has produced most of her life and at a dose which is appropriate for that woman.

Custom made hormones

Our pharmacists are available for personal consultations to discuss your personal needs by appointment. We consider each woman as an individual. We ask you to listen to your body; we listen to you; and we react according to your symptoms and blood or saliva levels. We interact with you and your physician to meet your needs in coming up with a formula to balance your hormones.