How To Use Natural (Bio Identical) Estrogen

January 22, 2010 | Leave a Comment

Estradiol Molecule Natural estrogens is another term to refer to pharmaceutically compounded hormones using natural substances that mimic the exact molecular structure of the hormones that your body produces.

Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy and natural hormone therapy are used interchangeably.

Bioidentical hormones work like a lock and key with your body’s enzyme system. Meaning that hormone A, will be converted by enzyme A into an intermediate compound, hormone B which will be worked upon by enzyme B, and successively until the whole process comes to its natural completion. Only enzyme A can unlock hormone A to transform into hormone B. This is the magic of using compounds that are IDENTICAL to what your body is designed to work with.

Our bodies actually produce three main forms of estrogen, namely estrone (E1), estradiol (E2) and estriol (E3). Compounding pharmacies produce these identical compounds to replace hormones that have been lost as the ovaries stop production during menopause and the peri-menopausal period.

Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy has become more popular since the release of the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) Study Results in 2002. WHI uncovered many of the health risks associated with the use of synthetic (non-identical compounds) hormones and horse derived hormones to relieve symptoms in menopausal females.

The Uses of Natural (Bio Identical) Hormones

Natural estrogens are used to alleviate symptoms of peri-menopause, menopause and post-menopause in women who have measurably low levels of these essential hormones. The symptoms may include a combination of the following: hot flashes, night sweats, irregular periods, mood swings, vaginal dryness, burning and itching.

Some women may also experiences episodes of dropping hormonal levels due to stress induced premature ovarian failure or surgery, to name a few.

Other reasons to use these natural, bio-identical hormones includes the prevention of osteoporosis, or ischemic heart disease and Alzheimer’s disease.

These natural, bio-identical hormones hormones maintain bladder and urinary tract function, they also work well to improve your lipid profile by increasing the levels of favorable fragments called HDL, while reducing levels of more unfavorable fragments called LDL.

Topical estrogen therapy has also been used for the reduction of wrinkles and to promote its skin softening effects. But it’s not all fun and good, there’s some risk to taking any kind of hormones for long term.

Possible Side Effects of Natural (Bio Identical) Hormones

The side effects of estrogen include nausea, upset stomach, bloating, headache, dizziness and lightheadedness which may be temporary and self limiting.

There are other reactions that you need to look out for including breakthrough bleeding, breast swelling, breast pain, fluid retention, weight gain, mood swings, depression, dropping libido, increased risk of gallbladder stones or malfunction, increased risk of thromboembolic disorder (blood clots) and increased risk of breast or uterine cancer.

The increased risk of breast cancer may be reduced by using the less harmful form, such as estriol and combine the strogen with progesterone as counterbalance.

Directions For The Safe Use of Natural (Bio Identical) Hormones

These hormones are available in many different forms, such as in capsules, topical creams and gels, suppositories, oral troches, implantable pellets and injections. Selecting the right choice for you may be a personal preference and is also a discussion to have with your prescribing physician who may have suggestions based on the type of benefits you may expect to derive from each individual preparation. If you have questions while you are on these products, consult with a physician or with the compounding pharmacist directly who is extremely knowledgeable on the proper use of these compounded hormones.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you have remembered but do not take it if it is almost time to take the next scheduled dose; that is, do not double dose because you forgot yesterday’s dosage today.

If you have any questions and would like to be tested for your hormone levels, I encourage you to contact our office and set up an appointment so we can look at your concerns more closely and establish a relationship that will help you feel your best. Visit the Youthful Aging Center online now.

Other Youthful Aging Center Pages:
Estrogen & Other Hormones in Turmoil- A Life Out of Balance
Menopausal Hormone Replacement Therapy
Food Allergies and Obesity
Hormones and Women’s Health
Estrogen and Menopause
Three Estrogens In Balance Throughout A Woman’s Life
Take The Functional Medicine Questionnaire

Recommended Reading:
The Youthful Aging Center Bookstore

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