The new face of hormone therapy

Bio-identical hormones are products that contain hormones which are identical in their molecular structure to those made naturally in the human body. Think of these substances as a more natural approach to traditional hormone therapy. Bio-identical hormones are created from plant chemicals, derived from plants such as yams and soy. Like hormone therapy, bio-identical hormones help alleviate symptoms related to hormonal imbalance or decline.

Why take hormones?
As you age, crucial hormones in your body take a dive. These include oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone. When a woman stops having periods (menopause), these hormones decline dramatically. This can lead to:

Hot flushes
Night sweats
Trouble sleeping
Vaginal dryness
Low
Pain during sex
Weight gain
Memory loss
Mood swings

Bio-identical hormones are intended to increase these essential hormones, and improve symptoms. They are available in different dosages, and can be taken as pills, patches, creams, gels, and sprays.

Are they safe for use?
Some bio-identical hormones are made by drug companies and sold in standard doses. These forms have been tested for safety and purity, and are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Other bio-identical hormones are made at compounding pharmacies. These forms are customised to suit the hormonal needs of the patient. They aren’t standardised or tested, and may be inconsistent in purity and dose, so this is where you need to be wary. Even though these products are often advertised as being safer and more effective than regular hormone therapy, there’s very little scientific and medical evidence to support these claims.

Good to know
When the FDA approves a drug, the drug company must report on its side-effects. Compounding pharmacies don’t have to do this, which contributes to the myth that compounded hormones are safer. But all treatments have side-effects.

Bio-identical hormones can have similar side-effects to hormone therapy. These can include:

Weight gain
Bloating
Indigestion
Blurred vision
Acne
Breast tenderness
Increased facial hair

Side-effects can start from the first dose. The good news is that many of them get better as your body gets used to the new level of hormones. Bio-identical hormones can also increase your risk for blood clots, stroke, heart disease, gallbladder disease, and breast cancer.
When to see your doctor
If you have side-effects that you can’t manage or symptoms that won’t go away, call your doctor. Your hormone levels may be too high, and need to be adjusted.

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