Bioidentical Hormones

Hormones play an important role for women. Whether they are going through menopause, or other health conditions, such as chemotherapy, polycystic ovarian syndrome, etc, they need to find ways to relieve their symptoms to get peace of mind. Lately, biodentical hormones are becoming a popular choice for women all over the world, given its effectiveness; however, as with any treatment, it is essential to be fully informed about the path to take, considering advantages and possible side effects.

In the following section, there is a detailed explanation of what biodentical hormones truly are, the most common types of biodentical hormones, its characteristics and side effects, and the alternative options to it use.

Bioidentical Hormones

Bioidentical hormones are plant-based or compounded hormones identical in molecular structure to those produced in the body. Because they are not naturally so structured, bioidentical hormones are chemical extracts commonly derived from the yam and soybean plants, which are engineered in a laboratory to serve human purposes. Bioidentical hormones are often used to relieve the symptoms of menopause and other hormone-related deficiencies or imbalances.

To learn more about human- like hormone, go to the section about bioidentical hormones, or keep reading to find out about the most common hormones used for bioidentical replacement therapy.

Common Bioidentical Hormones

The most common compound preparations for bioidentical hormones are produced to mimic the hormones listed below:

• Estrogen.
• Progesterone.
• Testosterone.

These hormonal compounds are thought to be safer and more natural than synthetic hormones, though no conclusive proof exists. Research is still being made to measure the reach of biodentical hormones in the body.

Click the following link to learn more about common bioidentical hormones or keep reading to find out about one type of biodentical hormones: bioidentical estrogen.

Bioidentical Estrogen

Estrogen is the general term applied to a group of ovarian hormones with similar characteristics and refers specifically to the primary group of female sex hormones. Among other things, estrogen promotes the development of female sexual characteristics and helps regulate menstruation. Biodentical estrogen, on the hand, is not produced within the body, and can be administered in forms of creams, pills, patches, etc.

In theory, bioidentical estrogen is thought to function exactly like the estrogen produced naturally by the body because the molecular structures are identical. However, its use has been known to come with myriad side effects.

Bioidentical Estrogen Replacement Therapy Side Effects

Bioidentical estrogen replacement therapy is occasionally accompanied by an array of unfortunate side effects. Some of these side effects are listed below.

• Weight gain
• Fatigue
• Mood swings
• Nausea
• Shortness of breath
• Migraines
• Vaginal bleeding/spotting

Click the following link to learn more bioidentical estrogen replacement therapy. For information regarding bioidentical progesterone replacement therapy, keep reading.

Bioidentical Progesterone

Progesterone is a steroid hormone made by the ovaries around the middle of the menstrual cycle. Its primary role is in balancing the effects of estrogen, along with promoting osteal strength and growth.

Bioidentical progesterone refers to the plant-derived progesterone produced in a laboratory to imitate natural progesterone. Bioidentical progesterone often comes from plant fats and oils - usually a substance called diosgenin that is extracted from wild yam or soybeans. As with any external substance to the body, it might bring about some side effects.

Bioidentical Progesterone Replacement Therapy Side Effects

The range of side effects associated with bioidentical progesterone replacement therapy is broad. See the list below for some examples.

• Chest pain.
• Blurred vision.
• Blood clots.
• Headaches.
• Migraines.
• Diarrhea.
• Dizziness.
• Fatigue.

Click the following link to learn more bioidentical progesterone replacement therapy or continue reading to gain an understanding of bioidentical progesterone replacement therapy.

Bioidentical Testosterone

Testosterone is a sex hormone responsible for the growth of muscle, sex drive, aggression, and personality. While testosterone is made in the ovaries and adrenal glands in women; for men, it is elaborated in the testicles and adrenal glands in men.

Bioidentical testosterone replaces the body’s naturally-produced testosterone and is made from soy and yam oils. It also carries advantages and side effects.

Bioidentical Testosterone Replacement Therapy Side Effects

While proponents of bioidentical testosterone argue that its effect is largely beneficial, its negative side effects are numerous. See below:

• Rashes/itching.
• Chest tightness.
• Swelling.
• Nausea.
• Weight gain.
• Loss of appetite.
• Fatigue.
• Gum and mouth irritation.
• Libido fluctuations.

Click the following link to learn more bioidentical testosterone replacement therapy, or continue reading to learn about bioidentical hormones and menopause.

Bioidentical Hormones and Menopause

For decades, women experiencing menopause relied on hormone replacement therapy to relieve their symptoms. Unfortunately, links to very serious health conditions forced women to look for other options with fewer side effects.

Recent trends indicate that women are moving steadily away from traditional pharmaceutical hormone replacement therapy in favor of bioidentical hormones. Bioidentical hormones, however, are manufactured synthetically by a process similar to most pharmaceutical hormones, including birth control pills.

Click on the link for more information about bioidentical hormones replacement therapy and menopause, or keep reading to learn about bioidentical hormones side effects.

Side Effects of Bioidentical Hormones

Women using biodentical hormones have reported several side effects The side effects associated with bioidentical hormones can vary from the mild to severe depending on the hormone type and dosage.

Click the following link to learn more bioidentical hormones side effects, or continue reading to find out about alternatives to bioidentical hormones.

Alternatives to Bioidentical Hormones

Contrary to popular belief, ‘bioidentical’ is not synonymous with ‘natural’. In fact, bioidentical hormones are yam- or soy-derived chemicals that have been scientifically manipulated to mimic the body’s own hormones. A genuinely natural solution lies in investigating alternatives to bioidentical and synthetic hormones. The following options offer a real natural solution:

Lifestyle Changes
Adopting a healthier lifestyle is typically the most effective treatment for hormone imbalance and involves the least amount of risk. Positive changes in diet and exercise combined with stress-reduction techniques (such as yoga) can help alleviate symptoms of hormonal imbalance and improve overall health.

Despite the benefits of lifestyle changes, they still treat only the symptoms. To address the problem, it is necessary to target the source of hormonal imbalance.

Alternative medicine
Generally involving little or no risk and proven effective at treating hormonal imbalance, alternative medicine refers to several different therapies. These therapies include herbal remedies, acupuncture, biofeedback, massage, aromatherapy, and hypnosis. Many women, however, claim to find the most relief with simple, low-cost herbal remedies.

After an overview of biodentical hormones and its side effects, it is time to know more in detail the options to its use. Click the following link to find out more information about alternatives to bioidentical hormone replacement therapy.

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