Bio-identical hormones have been dubbed the natural hormone therapy for menopause symptoms and to protect against hardening of the arteries and decreased bone density. Bio-identical hormones are chemically identical to those naturally made by the body including estrogen, progesterone and/or testosterone and are custom-mixed and tailored to a woman’s individual hormone needs. Bio-identical hormone therapy is said to be safer than FDA approved HRT, is derived from a natural source of soybean or yam and has not been shown to produce the side effects that seem to be the standard with pharmaceutical or synthetic HRT.

Today’s women are seeking a better quality of life

Synthetic HRT (Prempro, Premarin to name a few) was the standard in hormone replacement therapy until 2002, when a study was reported that showed women taking these medications had an increased risk of stroke, heart disease, breast cancer, blood clots and dementia. These side effects occur with synthetic HRT as these hormones contain equine estrogen (found in concentrated urine from dehydrated pregnant mares) which is NEVER produced naturally in humans and does not follow the normal human metabolic pathways. According to Dr. Gulati, “Synthetic hormones are molecular “cousins” of natural agents, yet they are not identical in structure of activity to the natural hormones they emulate; therefore side effects are more common.”

“Additionally, FDA approved HRT comes in a standard form directly from the pharmaceutical manufacturer and dosing cannot be tailored specifically for each individual as with bio-identical hormones,” adds Gulati. Bio-identicals are delivered in capsule or lotion base and can be controlled by the patient or physician by altering the recipe of estrogen, progesterone/testosterone, adjusting frequency of dosing or changing the site of application.

Bio-identical hormones are not FDA approved because they cannot be patented. In order to patent a product, the pharmaceutical manufacturers must alter the chemical structure of a natural substance to create a synthetic product. These synthetic products are profitable to produce therefore drug companies can afford to fund research. Since bio-identical hormones are NOT chemically changed, they cannot be patented, so scientific studies are less numerous.

“Today’s women are seeking a better quality of life,” says Dr. Gulati. The decision to use any form of hormone replacement therapy should only be made following a thorough medical exam and evaluation of baseline hormone levels. Women receiving any type of hormone treatment should be monitored regularly and use the lowest dose possible to achieve the desired therapeutic outcome.”