Bioidentical hormones continue to gain popularity among people seeking an alternative to traditional medications, according to a 2006 paper in the "Harvard Women's Health Watch." Many commercial products contain these synthetic drugs that are chemically identical to the body's natural hormones. Doctors prescribe such hormones to treat a variety of medical conditions, but patients must use them carefully to ensure efficacy and safety.
Testosterone Therapies
Physicians typically recommend bioidenticals for women, yet men can benefit from hormone replacement therapy as well. An overview provided on the Hudson's FTM Resource Guide website describes issues surrounding bioidentical testosterone. While obtaining natural hormones remains difficult, many research studies have shown the positive impact of testosterone replacement.
A 2010 experiment offered in the "Journal of the American Geriatrics Society" evaluated the effects of transdermal testosterone. This form of hormone therapy is usually bioidentical because the skin readily absorbs natural testosterone making chemical modification unnecessary. The study tested testosterone-deficient men at risk for bone breaks. Results indicated that a year's use of bioidentical testosterone increased bone mineral density and lean body mass. Men tolerated the therapy well, and they reported few side effects.
Estrogen Therapies
Older women experiencing the negative consequences of menopause may benefit from taking estradiol acetate. This form of bioidentical estrogen comes in a ring-shaped device for vaginal delivery. A 2006 investigation published in the medical journal "Menopause" looked at the effectiveness of estradiol for the treatment of menopausal symptoms. Women used the device for two separate three-month periods in this study. Relative to placebo, estrogen replacement improved vasomotor problems, like hot flashes and vaginal dryness. Positive effects appeared within a week of treatment, and the women using the device did not experience any significant adverse reactions.
Progesterone Therapies
According to a 2006 review published in "Neuropsychopharmacology," stimulants, like amphetamine and cocaine, have more potent effects in women than in men. This finding likely relates to the fluctuation of hormones like progesterone in women. Balancing progesterone levels across the entire menstrual cycle may, therefore, eliminate these gender differences and facilitate addiction recovery. The authors of the 2006 study tested this hypothesis by giving female cocaine addicts oral doses of progesterone during the follicular phase, when natural progesterone levels are low. The results indicated that hormone intake decreased the "high" associated with cocaine abuse. Progesterone also decreased the typical physiological responses to stimulants like increased blood pressure. Finally, hormone use did not affect the metabolism of cocaine which suggests that it instead directly altered the body's reaction to stimulant drugs.
Combined Treatments
Changes in menstrual bleeding patterns immediately precede the appearance of menopause. Middle-aged women can ease the transition from pre-menopause to post-menopause using compounded treatments. A 2010 report in the periodical "Climacteric" tested transdermal estrogen combined with micronized progesterone delivered either orally or vaginally in peri-menopausal females. Data showed that simultaneous intake of these two natural hormones produced the most regular bleeding patterns with little spotting. The treatment was well liked by the women receiving it, and no negative reactions were reported.
References
- "Harvard Women's Health Watch"; What Are Bioidentical Hormones; August 2006
- Hudson's FTM Resource Guide: Controversies Surrounding Bioidentical Testosterone
- "Journal of the American Geriatric Society"; Effects of Transdermal Testosterone on Bone and Muscle in Older Men; A.M. Kenny, et al; 2010
- "Menopause"; Efficacy of a New, Oral Estradiol Acetate Formulation for Relief of Menopause Symptoms; L. Speroff et al; 2006
- "Neuropsychopharmacology": Exogenous Progesterone Attenuates the Subjective Effects of Smoked Cocaine in Women
