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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. Both estradiol and estrone are considered to be potent estrogens and may increase the risk of breast cancer.
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. In contrast to the cancer-promoting effects of estradiol and estrone, estriol has been shown to have anticancer activity. 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.
Natural progesterone has virtually no unwanted effects, the major side effect being drowsiness when taken in the oral form. Synthetic progestin such as medroxyprogesterone (provera) quite often cause many side effects; fluid retention and swelling, impaired glucose tolerance, acne, hair loss, unwanted facial hair being the most common amongst many listed in the literature. While the estrogens stop bone loss, natural 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.
Natural 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 and with a reduced risk of endometrial and breast cancer.
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 natural hormones that is appropriate and beneficial to the patient.
Benefits
of Natural Hormone Replacement Therapy
Bio-identical plant-derived estrogens and progesterone have been safely prescribed by European physicians for almost 50 years. These natural hormones offer much less the side effects than conventional HRT such as headaches, water accumulation, breast tenderness & swelling, etc. Unfortunately, many doctors are unaware of these natural hormones. Since natural hormones can not be patented, manufacturers lack financial incentives to fund research and development costs to commercially market these substances, and physicians receive little information on natural progesterone, estriol, estradiol, and estrone.
Women are no longer willing to accept the risks associated with conventional hormones, and are searching for safer alternatives. New research is continually emerging. An estimated two million women are now benefiting from natural "plant-derived bio-identical" hormones.
Premarin is natural for horses but not for humans. Derived from pregnant mares urine, premarine consists of mostly estrone, some estradiol, with the remainder made up of equilines. While the estrone & estradiol may be considered bio-identical, the are very strong hormones and are the estrogens implicated in breast cancer. Equilines are hormones natural to horses and are as foreign to the body as any synthetic drug because the body lacks the enzymes to metabolize them safely.
Estrogen
patches & gels
These products are composed of 100% estradiol, the most potent - and most carcinogenic- of the estrogens. While estradiol is considered natural and is derived from the same source as the hormones in the triple estrogen formula, the therapy does not mimic the contents of human estrogen because they are 100% estradiol, with no estrone, and most importantly, no estriol. Human physiology is designed to work with three forms of estrogen- estriol, estradiol & estrone. Exposing the body to I00% estradiol creates and unbalanced, unnatural and potentially dangerous situation.
The
safety of Estriol
Estriol, sometimes called the forgotten estrogen because it is not use commercially in North America , is produced in large quantities, along with progesterone, during pregnancy. It is 1000 times less potent on breast tissue than estradiol or estrone. Estradiol and estrone have been implicated in breast cancer while estriol is not carcinogenic. In fact it is considered anti-carcinogenic (or protective) because it occupies the estrogen receptor sites that would be occupied by other more potent estrogens much the same way that tamoxifen works. It is well known that women who bring a child to term at a young age are at a lower risk of breast cancer than women who are childless or who have their first child in their thirties. Estriol is the estrogen most efficient in repairing thin, dry or atrophied vaginal tissue caused by estrogen deficiency. It has been shown to prevent vaginitis, cystitis and urinary tract infection.
A vaginal cream containing Estriol 0.5% has been used successfully without the proliferate effects on breast and uterine tissue of other commercial vaginal creams and is particularly useful in women with estrogen restrictions.
Estriol has been used successfully and safely in Europe for many years and is an excellent and safer alternative to the stronger, more potent estrogens for women who cannot tolerate conventional hormone replacement.
The
Benefits of Natural Progesterone
Natural progesterone is one of the most under-estimated hormones. Progesterone has many roles to play in the body and yet it is only used in HRT to protect the uterus from cancer when a women is taking estrogen replacement therapy. There are very few, if any, hormones in the human body that do just one thing. The estrogens, testosterone, thyroid hormone, cortisol, etc all have multiple roles. So does progesterone.
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 natural 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 natural progesterone is very involved in the production of new bone and very important in the battle against osteoporosis. Natural 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 natural 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 natural progesterone.
Functions
of Natural |Progesterone:
Progesterone: is a
precursor of other sex hormones, including estrogen and testosterone
- protects against endometrial proliferation and cancer
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- is necessary for the survival of the embryo and fetus throughout gestation
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- protects against fibrocystic breast disease
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- functions as a natural anti-depressant
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- helps thyroid hormone function
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- protects against breast cancer
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- reverses and protects against osteoporosis
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- is a precursor of cortisone synthesis
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- reverses hirsutisme (excessive hair growth)
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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 natural testosterone she has produced most of her life and at a dose which is appropriate for that woman. Conventional hormones with even the slightest alteration can produce side effects not found in the natural hormone.
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. | 
