Are There Side Effects From Bio Identical Hormones?

Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) has been discussed frequently in recent years with the publicity from Suzanne Somers and other celebrities. However, even with the media attention most people still don't fully understand this medical treatment and what the therapy entails. Historically, BHRT has been around for almost 40 years and doctors from Europe and Australia and other countries have been treating their patients with BHRT for decades. On the safety point of view, BHRT mimics our body's natural hormones and is generally safe to use.

Research on Bio Identical Hormones

A recent article published in Maturitas studied thousands of French women who were using bio identical hormones. The study claims that women who used bioidentical hormones had NO elevated risks of cancer. Furthermore, a review published in August 2008 concludes: "hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in postmenopausal women is a safe and effective tool to counteract climacteric symptoms and to prevent long-term degenerative diseases, such as osteoporotic fractures, cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus and possibly cognitive impairment." This paper reviews the role of the non-oral route of administration of sex steroids in the clinical management of menopausal symptoms, and states that non-orally administered estrogens (ie. cream, gel) minimize the hepatic first-pass effect, and are associated with potential advantages on the cardiovascular system. In addition, recent indications suggest potential advantages for blood pressure control with non-oral estrogens. To the same extent, a growing literature suggests that natural progesterone has a favorable action on the vessels and on the brain, while this might not be true for some synthetic progestins. Compelling indications also exist that differences might also be present for the risk of developing breast cancer, with recent trials indicating that the association of natural progesterone with estrogens confers less or even no risk of breast cancer as opposed to the use of other synthetic progestins.

Synthetic vs. Bio Identical Hormones

Previously, most women who received hormone replacement therapy are prescribed drugs like Premarin or Prempro, which come from the urine of pregnant mares. The synthetic forms of hormones may cause more harm than benefit since their molecular structure is not the same as the hormones naturally made by the body. Bioidentical hormones, in contrary, are derived from soy, wild yam and other plant extracts. Advocates say their molecular structure is similar to that of the hormones they are replacing and can serve the same purpose.

Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy is generally safe to use. However, there are a few contraindications to consider when deciding on bioidentical hormones. For male, benign prostate hypertrophy (BPH) might be a relative contraindication. For female, breast cancer, uterine or ovarian cancer, or history of deep vein thrombosis might be a contraindication for BHRT. As always, exercise, weight training, calcium and vitamin D are a few good options in your anti aging regimen. The risk for heart disease, stroke, and mental decline can be reduced through diet, exercise, low stress, yoga, deep sleep, and by taking certain natural herbs and supplements.