Bio-identical hormones

Bio-identical hormones are hormones made from usually soy or yam that are identical to the naturally occuring hormones in the body.  An OBgyn usually prescribes synthetic hormones.  For example, OBgyns often prescribe the estrogen drug Premarin.  The source of the estrogens in Premarin is pregnant horse urine.  There are 200 different estrogens in horse urine, that do not resemble the estrogen that occurs naturally in our body.  However, some OBgyns prescribe CES (conjugated estrogen supplement) which is derived from a plant source, but is more synthesized and processed than hormones denoted as "bio-identical".

The hormone link to cancer is very, very real.  However, all the studies that show the relationship between hormones and cancer, as well as hormones and heart disease/stroke, have all been with using non bio-identical hormones.

At the present time we do not know enough about the intracacies of how hormones react in the body and how hormones react with each other.

While there are many, many women that have literally been give their lives back because of the incorporation of bio-identicals into their health regime, there is caution to be assumed.

All women going on any hormones must have up to date PAP smears, up to date gynecological exams, and at the very least a baseline mammogram.

NEVER self-prescribe hormones (even though, unfortunately, you can get them on--line).  ALWAYS see a licensed healthcare practitioner who is knowledgable in this field.

I never prescribe hormone therapy to any woman who has had breast cancer, whether they are receptor positive or negative.  I'm well aware of Dr. John Lee's theories and Suzanne Sommers ideas on progesterone, however, progesterone biochemically converts to testosterone which then converts to estrogen.  We just don't know enough about the interplay of hormones yet.

I also never prescribe hormones to women who have had ovarian or uterine cancers.

As well, I am very, very, very cautious about perscribing hormones to a woman who is healthy, but who has a large family history of breast/ovarian/uterine cancer.

So yes, a woman can be safe to take hormones, but it is a highly, highly individual.

For example, a healthy woman with no family history of reproductive cancers, but with a heavy history of familial osteoporosis with an abnormal bone density scan and strong symptoms of estrogen/progesterone deficiency - this woman would be a perfect candidate for hormone therapy.

What is one woman's cure, can be another woman's poison.  That is why it is crucial to seek out someone knowledgable.

Hormones can be measure through blood (not detailed enough IMO), through saliva testing and through a 24 hour urine test.

Bio-identical hormones, while a very valuable tool, are not a panacea.

Yes, as we age, our ovaries shrivel up, and our adrenal glands don't put out hormones as well as they once did if we have had a life time of stress.

Removing coffee from the diet, for some women, stops their hot flashes.

Liver and adrenal health are crucial to optimize if hormone wellness is to be acheived.

If hormones are indeed indicated, I always make sure the person has detoxed their liver first, and their adrenal glands are working tick-a-dee-boo before I prescribe hormones.  This allows me to give the least possible dose for the maximum level of wellness.