What Are Bioidentical Hormones?
Bioidentical hormones are used in replacement therapy (and other situations) as an alternative to synthetic hormones. Unique bioidentical compounds are manufactured in a lab, extracted from organic sources and have the same molecular structure as hormones made by your own body.
Synthetic hormones are not organic and have received a lot of controversy over the years – moreso today than ever as the results of repeated usage is finally showing up in the elderly. An example of a recent scandal look no further than BPA found in plastics that had once been certified food safe. BPA is actually a derivative of a synthetic estrogen (a synthetic hormone) and is now being reported as causing major damage in our youth.)
Since drug companies (big business with lots of profit) can’t patent a bioidentical mixture, compound or genetic structure, they’ve invent synthetic hormones that can be patented and sold for massive profit – at our expense, on two counts (out of pocket and overall health).
On the other hand, bioidentical hormones have been around for years. Unfortunately they have been dismissed and disregarded by many physicians and practitioners as part of the hippie, tree-hugging, health kick. Times are changing though, especially given that the synthetics are receiving such bad press. Today you’ll find several branded versions of bioidenticals available for use in hormone replacement therapies.
Although many proport individualized testing and monitoring with a physician, you can begin the process yourself with home test kits and a good book or website on the topic of bioidenticals.
Bioidenticals are available in all hormone ‘categories’ such as estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and DHEA.
If you can afford to work with a practioner or physician (or for that matter find one who supports this type of therapy) you’ll be tested, prescribed and re-tested every three months or so until your hormones balance out.
