Bio-identical hormones are exact duplicates of hormones derived from plants that are created in a compounding pharmacy following a prescription by a doctor or homeopath. The North American Menopause Society, among other medical groups, follows the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warnings about the use of bio-identical hormones and does not endorse their use.
The Steps
Step 1
Understand the history and origins of bio-identical hormone treatments (BHRT) when considering using them. The Mayo Clinic reports that in the late 1980s and throughout the 1990s, doctors freely prescribed hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for women with menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes and mood swings. A study called the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) in 2002 found that although the treatments did help reduce the symptoms and aided in preventing osteoporosis, women on the treatments were at an increased risk for cancer, heart disease and stroke. Women stopped taking the supplements in droves.
Step 2
Know the side effects and consequences of your choice. In response to the WHI study, bio-identical hormones (BHRT) were introduced as a safer alternative to the pharmaceutical HRT that was studied by the WHI. But since the bio-identicals are exact duplicates of chemical compounds found in the body, mainstream medical researchers contend that the bio-identical hormones will have the exact same risk factors as well. No definitive medical research is available to verify or nullify the claims.
Step 3
Find a homeopath or other health care provider who utilizes BHRT to treat menopause. Get a saliva test so a customized prescription can be created for you. Make appointments for regular checkups from your healthcare provider who may prescribe bio-identical hormone replacement topical creams and lotions in addition to compounded pills. You should have hormone levels and general health monitored while taking any kinds of hormones to avoid complications and side effects.
Step 4
Use a reputable, established compounding pharmacy. Because compounding is not regulated, there is a greater risk of receiving improper doses of bio-identical hormones and mistakes in the compounding process. The compounds typically include modified versions of estrogen, progesterone and other hormones used to relieve symptoms of menopause. In addition to the risk of mistakes, the FDA has admonished disreputable compounding pharmacies for unsubstantiated claims about the benefits of bio-identicals.
Tips and Warnings
- Find proponents of BHRT, such as the doctors at BodyLogicMD, who also include advice on how to eat well-balanced, nutritious meals and include exercise in their day to promote well-being.
- The FDA and others in the mainstream medical community say that a saliva test cannot accurately gauge a woman's hormone levels because hormones shift and change throughout the day. Tests approved by the FDA to check hormone levels utilize samples from saliva, blood and urine to find the best HRT treatments.
Things You'll Need
- Saliva test
- Compounding pharmacy
