Bioidentical Hormones

What are bioidentical hormones?

Bioidentical hormones are derived from two natural sources, wild yams and soybeans. Bioidentical’s are indistinguishable from those the human body produces, identical in structure and function and are readily accepted by the human body. They are modified in a laboratory to be molecularly (biochemically) identical to the hormones that your body produces, which are…

What is Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy?

Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy is the use of natural bioidentical hormones to correct the hormone imbalance for both women and men. As you age you may begin to notice that your body and mind do not function as well as it did when you were younger. And the typical response to that is, “well you’re not as young as you used to be.” Well, when it comes to your hormones that statement is pretty much right on. As you age your body no longer produces the proper hormone levels you need to keep you happy, healthy and alive!

Most Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapies are prescribed and monitored by a board certified physician, and also include a full physical exam, extensive blood tests, as well as lifestyle review, nutrition assessments and body composition analysis.

How do you know if you have a hormone imbalance?

The only way to know for sure is to meet with a board certified physician, one who is experienced with hormone replacement. You then should go through comprehensive and specific testing to determine if your hormones are imbalanced.

How are bioidentical hormones administered?

Bioidentical hormones come in pill, creams or sublingual (under the tongue) or injectable. A compounding pharmacist is used to create the specific dose for each individual patient. A compounding pharmacist is a specialist that creates tailor-made bioidentical hormones prescriptions. The quality of the ingredients, the expertise of the pharmacist and the involvement and monitoring of an experienced physician are all important parts of how a successful therapy is handled.

Bioidentical Hormones vs. Synthetic Hormones

The term “bioidentical hormones” refers to hormones that are exactly the same in structure and function as those produced by the human body. Substances derived from plant or animal tissues are modified on a molecular level in a laboratory until they precisely match and mimic natural human hormones.

Synthetic hormones, in contrast, are not identical in structure and function to those produced by the human body. Synthetic hormones are made to be completely different…and done so on purpose. Drug companies aren’t allowed to patent a bio-identical structure, so they invent synthetic hormones that are patentable.

How long will it take to see the results of therapy?

Although each person reacts differently, you should start to feel the results within a month or two of starting the Bioidentical hormone therapy. Many patients begin seeing and feeling results within the first weeks, and some sooner than that. But keep in mind it took you many, many years to get to this reduced level, so give the hormone therapy a chance to work, and you will never feel the same way again!!