Is there evidence that these bioidentical hormones work?
One should note that all data on bioidentical hormones are anecdotal and there are no controlled clinical studies or long-term safety reports available. Most reports of bioidentical hormones are from vendors and isolated case reports
The Europeans have been using these bioidentical hormones for many more years and claims that for the short term; these hormones are effective in relieving symptoms of menopause. Most alternative care practitioners recommend that bioidentical hormones should be used in low doses, for a short duration and must be complimented with changes in diet and lifestyles.
Can bioidentical hormone reverse aging?
No dealer of these bioidentical hormones recommends that these products be used for long periods or as a cure for aging.
Who should not take bioidentical hormones?
Women who do have breast cancer or even have a family history of breast cancer should be careful about using such products, Sex hormones like estrogen and progesterone can in fact promote growth of cancer.
What is cost of bioidentical hormones?
The cost of bioidentical hormones is variable but one can expect to pay about $100 a month for these supplements.
Showing posts with label bioidentical hormones. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bioidentical hormones. Show all posts
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Do Celebs take bioidentical hormones?
Do bioidentical hormones have benefits?
Even though menopause is a normal passage in the life of every woman, it sure is a difficult time for many. For decades menopause was a taboo topic. No one ever discussed it, it was a secret time in the life of a woman. This unfortunately led to many women suffering needlessly. Menopause is a time of emotional and physical changes. Each woman experiences different degrees of symptoms. One may starts to feel old, tired, grumpy and depressed. So how do celebs manage menopause? How do these hollywood gals always look cheerful, bright, energetic, and eager for more sex?
Well, this has been the untold secret of the past. For decades, many celebs have routinely been using extracts of plants that contain bioidentical hormones. Bioidentical hormones are very similar to the natural female sex hormones made in the body
Where can one get bioidentical hormones?
Bioidentical hormones were once widely sold all over the internet and in many health supplement stores. Today, the FDA has cracked down on health food stores selling these hormones and mandating consumers get a prescription to obtain these drugs
There are many formulations of bioidentical hormones and one can even get individualized formulations.
How can one tell if I need a bioidentical hormone?
The business of bioidentical hormones is big and now these vendors also market their own testing systems. One of these tests can check hormone levels in saliva. If levels of hormones in saliva are low, you can take them. However, there is a lot of controversy about these saliva tests. They are expensive, not reliable, and certainly not approved by the FDA. The tests would best be described as scams. There are other established clinical laboratory tests that can measure levels of hormones in blood, but these tests are also expensive, take time and do have some variability. However, these tests are more reliable than the saliva tests.
Even though menopause is a normal passage in the life of every woman, it sure is a difficult time for many. For decades menopause was a taboo topic. No one ever discussed it, it was a secret time in the life of a woman. This unfortunately led to many women suffering needlessly. Menopause is a time of emotional and physical changes. Each woman experiences different degrees of symptoms. One may starts to feel old, tired, grumpy and depressed. So how do celebs manage menopause? How do these hollywood gals always look cheerful, bright, energetic, and eager for more sex?
Well, this has been the untold secret of the past. For decades, many celebs have routinely been using extracts of plants that contain bioidentical hormones. Bioidentical hormones are very similar to the natural female sex hormones made in the body
Where can one get bioidentical hormones?
Bioidentical hormones were once widely sold all over the internet and in many health supplement stores. Today, the FDA has cracked down on health food stores selling these hormones and mandating consumers get a prescription to obtain these drugs
There are many formulations of bioidentical hormones and one can even get individualized formulations.
How can one tell if I need a bioidentical hormone?
The business of bioidentical hormones is big and now these vendors also market their own testing systems. One of these tests can check hormone levels in saliva. If levels of hormones in saliva are low, you can take them. However, there is a lot of controversy about these saliva tests. They are expensive, not reliable, and certainly not approved by the FDA. The tests would best be described as scams. There are other established clinical laboratory tests that can measure levels of hormones in blood, but these tests are also expensive, take time and do have some variability. However, these tests are more reliable than the saliva tests.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Bio identical hormonal therapy 101
Is Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) a new concept?
No, Hormone replacement therapy has been practiced with pharmaceutical products for more than 50 years. Women have been prescribed hormones to treat menopause and a variety of disorders where fertility has been affected. However, today HRT has gained impetus chiefly because women want to get rid of symptoms of menopause
What happens during menopause?
During menopause, all women stop making the natural sex hormones, estrogen and progesterone. The loss of these sex hormones is associated with many physical and emotional effects. Thirty years ago, estrogen and progesterone were widely prescribed to treat menopause. However, as clinical evidence accumulated, it was realized that the safety of these hormones in the long run was an issue. Laboratory research showed that long-term use of sex hormones after menopause could lead to growth of breast or uterine cancers.
So what is happening now?
Well we have now come full circle. Instead of using the prescription based synthetic estrogen and progesterone, there is a big demand for the naturally occurring sex hormones. Bioidentical hormones are naturally occurring hormones found in plants. The bioidentical hormones also require a prescription; however, many pharmacies can adjust the formulation so that one can have the right amount of estrogen or progesterone.
Who uses Bioidentical hormones?
Bioidentical HRT is very useful for women who have undergone hysterectomy and those who are undergoing menopause. Younger women who have premature ovarian failure or have undergone a hysterectomy may take the bioidentical HRT for many more years.
How are bioidentical hormones available?
These hormones can be delivered as a patch, pill, cream, gel, or even an injection. The two basic formulations are ones which have a constant dosage and those which have a varying dosage of sex hormones. Bioidentical hormones can also be compounded with testosterone to provide a boost to libido.
No, Hormone replacement therapy has been practiced with pharmaceutical products for more than 50 years. Women have been prescribed hormones to treat menopause and a variety of disorders where fertility has been affected. However, today HRT has gained impetus chiefly because women want to get rid of symptoms of menopause
What happens during menopause?
During menopause, all women stop making the natural sex hormones, estrogen and progesterone. The loss of these sex hormones is associated with many physical and emotional effects. Thirty years ago, estrogen and progesterone were widely prescribed to treat menopause. However, as clinical evidence accumulated, it was realized that the safety of these hormones in the long run was an issue. Laboratory research showed that long-term use of sex hormones after menopause could lead to growth of breast or uterine cancers.
So what is happening now?
Well we have now come full circle. Instead of using the prescription based synthetic estrogen and progesterone, there is a big demand for the naturally occurring sex hormones. Bioidentical hormones are naturally occurring hormones found in plants. The bioidentical hormones also require a prescription; however, many pharmacies can adjust the formulation so that one can have the right amount of estrogen or progesterone.
Who uses Bioidentical hormones?
Bioidentical HRT is very useful for women who have undergone hysterectomy and those who are undergoing menopause. Younger women who have premature ovarian failure or have undergone a hysterectomy may take the bioidentical HRT for many more years.
How are bioidentical hormones available?
These hormones can be delivered as a patch, pill, cream, gel, or even an injection. The two basic formulations are ones which have a constant dosage and those which have a varying dosage of sex hormones. Bioidentical hormones can also be compounded with testosterone to provide a boost to libido.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Bio identical hormones and menopause Part 2
Bioidentical HRT is very useful for women who have undergone hysterectomy. The hormones can be delivered as a patch, pill, cream, gel, or even an injection. Currently there are two basic formulations- one formulation that has a constant dose of estrogen and the other which comes with a varying dose of either estrogen or progesterone. There are even reports of some pharmacists adding testosterone to bioidentical hormones to boost libido.
In the short term, there is no question that bioidentical HRT can help strengthen bone, reduce fractures, improve mood and increase energy. There are many anecdotal reports, which claim that bioidentical HRT can help delay the onset of dementia and maintain cognition.
Bioidentical HRT, however, is not for everyone. Women who have liver disease, a history of blood clots or undiagnosed vaginal bleeding should not take these hormones. The typical side effects of bioidentical HRT include headache, bloating, stomach cramps, diarrhea, anxiety, and breast tenderness.
Because there is always a potential for side effects, all women who do intend to take bioidentical HRT should be followed regularly by a health care professional.
In the short term, there is no question that bioidentical HRT can help strengthen bone, reduce fractures, improve mood and increase energy. There are many anecdotal reports, which claim that bioidentical HRT can help delay the onset of dementia and maintain cognition.
Bioidentical HRT, however, is not for everyone. Women who have liver disease, a history of blood clots or undiagnosed vaginal bleeding should not take these hormones. The typical side effects of bioidentical HRT include headache, bloating, stomach cramps, diarrhea, anxiety, and breast tenderness.
Because there is always a potential for side effects, all women who do intend to take bioidentical HRT should be followed regularly by a health care professional.
Bio identical hormones and menopause
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is not a new idea. For more than 30 years, some women who have undergone menopause have taken some type of hormone replacement pill
Menopause is a physiological event in life and at this point in time, the ovaries stop making the natural estrogen and progesterone. The loss of these female sex hormones is associated with a number of disturbing physical and emotional effects. Thirty years ago, a varied combination of estrogen and progesterone were widely used to treat menopause. However, as medicine advanced many physicians became aware of the problems of prescribing sex hormones. Experimental work revealed that long-term use of these hormones led to the development of breast or uterine cancers. Soon many women were left with no treatment except for the occasional estrogen patch
Well we are now back to where we started nearly 40 years ago. Today, there is a lot of hype about bioidentical HRT that are widely sought by many women. Bioidentical hormones are naturally occurring hormones extracted from plants. These hormones were initially easily available without a prescription but the concern for safety led the FDA to introduce a prescription for these plant derived hormones. Bioidentical hormones are available in many formulations. There are even some pharmacies that can tailor the exact dosages of estrogen and progesterone.
Menopause is a physiological event in life and at this point in time, the ovaries stop making the natural estrogen and progesterone. The loss of these female sex hormones is associated with a number of disturbing physical and emotional effects. Thirty years ago, a varied combination of estrogen and progesterone were widely used to treat menopause. However, as medicine advanced many physicians became aware of the problems of prescribing sex hormones. Experimental work revealed that long-term use of these hormones led to the development of breast or uterine cancers. Soon many women were left with no treatment except for the occasional estrogen patch
Well we are now back to where we started nearly 40 years ago. Today, there is a lot of hype about bioidentical HRT that are widely sought by many women. Bioidentical hormones are naturally occurring hormones extracted from plants. These hormones were initially easily available without a prescription but the concern for safety led the FDA to introduce a prescription for these plant derived hormones. Bioidentical hormones are available in many formulations. There are even some pharmacies that can tailor the exact dosages of estrogen and progesterone.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Menopause Treatments
It is important to remember that menopause itself is a normal part of life, not a condition or disease that requires treatment. However, treatment of some of the symptoms of menopause is possible if they become severe.
One of the most common menopausal treatments in the medical community is hormone therapy, also known as hormone replacement therapy (HRT). HRT, administered orally, consists of the female hormone estrogen, or a combination of estrogens and progesterone. This helps to maintain estrogen levels in the body and can control symptoms of menopause related to the decline of estrogen, such as hot flashes and vaginal dryness.
While an effective treatment method, HRT has been shown to have its risks. Long-term studies of women receiving hormone therapy with both estrogen and progesterone have shown an increased risk for heart attack, stroke, and breast cancer. Estrogen therapy alone has been associated with an increased risk of endometrial cancer.
Similar to HRT, there are also vaginal hormonal treatments available. Sometimes combined with oral estrogen treatments, local (vaginal) treatments include vaginal estrogen creams, tablets, and the vaginal estrogen ring. These treatments carry similar risks to those of oral estrogen treatments.
Oral contraceptive pills can be used as hormone therapy to treat women in the early stages of menopause who are experiencing irregular vaginal bleeding (“spotting” or “breakthrough bleeding”) by regulating menstrual periods. It can also aid in reducing hot flashes and night sweats.
It is important to remember that while the pill is a very common prescription, it may not be right for all women, and carries it’s own host of risks. Some of the more serious risks include blood clots, stroke and heart attacks, which are increased if you smoke.
There has been a lot written lately about bioidentical hormones. While these may be naturally derived, they also carry the same risks as the natural estrogen.
One of the most common menopausal treatments in the medical community is hormone therapy, also known as hormone replacement therapy (HRT). HRT, administered orally, consists of the female hormone estrogen, or a combination of estrogens and progesterone. This helps to maintain estrogen levels in the body and can control symptoms of menopause related to the decline of estrogen, such as hot flashes and vaginal dryness.
While an effective treatment method, HRT has been shown to have its risks. Long-term studies of women receiving hormone therapy with both estrogen and progesterone have shown an increased risk for heart attack, stroke, and breast cancer. Estrogen therapy alone has been associated with an increased risk of endometrial cancer.
Similar to HRT, there are also vaginal hormonal treatments available. Sometimes combined with oral estrogen treatments, local (vaginal) treatments include vaginal estrogen creams, tablets, and the vaginal estrogen ring. These treatments carry similar risks to those of oral estrogen treatments.
Oral contraceptive pills can be used as hormone therapy to treat women in the early stages of menopause who are experiencing irregular vaginal bleeding (“spotting” or “breakthrough bleeding”) by regulating menstrual periods. It can also aid in reducing hot flashes and night sweats.
It is important to remember that while the pill is a very common prescription, it may not be right for all women, and carries it’s own host of risks. Some of the more serious risks include blood clots, stroke and heart attacks, which are increased if you smoke.
There has been a lot written lately about bioidentical hormones. While these may be naturally derived, they also carry the same risks as the natural estrogen.
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