Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy is finding increasing research, use and support as a viable alternative to conventional hormone replacement therapy. In part, the move away from synthetic hormone replacement has increased as a result of the results of the U.S. government-sponsored Women's Health Initiative study in 2002, which found that the risks of conventional hormone replacement therapy outweighed the benefits.
Diminished Breast Cancer Risk
Bioidentical progesterone is associated with less risk for breast cancer by comparison to its synthetic counterpart, progestin, reports a study published in the January 2009 journal "Postgraduate Medicine", citing supportive evidence from both physiological and clinical data. A study published in the July-August 2008 journal "Maturitas" drew similar conclusions, stating that the use of natural progesterone and estrogens confers less or even no risk of breast cancer, as opposed to the use of synthetic progestins. According to the September 2006 "Alternative Medicine Review," progesterone serves the purpose of opposing estrogen's effects of increasing and multiplying breast cells, which is not the case with synthetic progestins. Progesterone, in fact, increases apoptosis, or programmed cell death, conferring a suppressive effect on cancerous cell growth and reproduction.
Improvement in Circulation
Evidence exists for a beneficial effect of natural progesterone on blood vessels, according to "Maturitas," with lower risk for cardiovascular disease. "Alternative Medicine Review" describes that bioidentical progesterone and estrogen have none of the negative effects on blood lipids or vasculature, specifically, the occurrence of blood clots that are associated with synthetic progesterone. According to the "Alternative Medicine Review," use of progesterone cream results in none of the biological markers for inflammation or clotting compared to synthetic hormones. Bioidentical progesterone has also been found to preserve the beneficial effects of estrogen on increasing HDL levels, whereas the synthetic version does not. Additionally, according to the "Alternative Medicine Review," a synthetic progesterone known as medroxyprogesterone acetate, or, MPA, increases atherosclerosis in coronary arteries, suppresses the protective effect of estrogen on arterial injury, increases insulin resistance and weakens the beneficial effects of estrogen on vasodilation.
Relief of Menopause Symptoms
Bioidentical progesterone has been found to be more effective at relieving a variety of menopause-related symptoms, including sleep disturbance, mental clarity and cognition versus synthetic progesterone, according to "Alternative Medicine Review." It is also better tolerated with fewer complications and side effects. With regard to counteracting the cognitive effects of menopause and the aging process, both estrogen and progesterone confer protective benefits. Progesterone supports myelin formation---the substance that insulates nerve fibers---and activates the neurotransmitter GABA, and estrogen improves blood flow and stimulates serotonin and norepinephrine. By contrast, equine estrogen and synthetic progestins increase risk of dementia.
References
- "Alternative Medicine Review"; A Comprehensive Review of the Safety and Efficacy of Bioidentical Hormones for the Management of Menopause and Related Health Risks; Deborah Moskowitz, N.D.; September 2006
- "Maturitas"; Could Transdermal Estradiol Plus Progesterone Be a Safer Postmenopausal HRT? A Review; M. L'hermite et al.; July-August 2008
- "Postgraduate Medicine"; The Bioidentical Hormone Debate: Are Bioidentical Hormones (Estradiol, Estriol and Progesterone) Safer or More Efficacious Than Commonly Used Synthetic Versions in Hormone Replacement Therapy?; K. Holtorf; January 2009
