What are bioidentical hormones?

Answer:

Ever since Suzanne Somers plugged bioidentical hormones and their positive effects on her menopausal symptoms in her book, The Sexy Years, we’ve gotten a slew of questions from women wanting to know more about them. Please keep in mind that we are not doctors, so we can’t recommend if using bioidentical hormones is right for you or not. However, we can share some background information on bioidentical hormones with you.

Bioidentical hormones are synthetic hormones that have been designed to mimic the structure of the hormones that your body produced before you went into menopause. Bioidentical hormones are commonly marketed under the brand names Premarin, Prempro and Provera. Bioidentical hormones are usually made up of a cocktail of estrogen, testosterone and DHEA (a steroidal hormone produced by the adrenal gland that is converted to testosterone or estrogens by the body).

The difference between bioidentical hormones and the hormones used in traditional hormone replacement therapy (or HRT) is that HRT is often a one-dose-for-all prescription; whereas bioidentical hormones are prescribed according to individual hormone needs. This means that women who are on bioidentical hormones are given a series of hormone tests that is known as a “hormone panel.” The hormone panel determines exactly what levels of each hormone they require for balance. A precise dose of the lacking hormones are prescribed to the individual woman according to her precise estrogen, testosterone and DHEA levels.

Bioidentical hormone therapy is favored by many women because it’s believed to provide symptom relief to a woman based on her individual hormonal needs and at the lowest drug dosage possible. Follow up hormone panels are conducted regularly every 3 months and the bioidentical hormone dosage is altered as necessary.

For more information on bioidentical hormones please consult with your physician or gynecologist.