Bioidentical hormones are used to treat the symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes, sweating and vaginal dryness due to the low production estrogen. Hormone treatments such as estrogen are used to offset low levels during menopause. However, in light of certain risks, as low as they may be in some cases, women have been warned of the link estrogen may have to breast cancer, stroke and heart disease. A range of FDA-approved hormone therapy medications are available by prescription in the form of bioidentical estrogens and micronized progesterone at local drugstores. Compound blends, such as progestin and estrogen combined, have also been used in bioidentical hormone therapy. Consult with a health care specialist before beginning any hormone treatment.
Estrogens
Bioidentical estrogens are made up of estradiol, estrone and estriol. The form of estrogen that decreases at menopause is estradiol. It can be found in a pill or vaginal cream under the name Estrace or a patch called Estraderm. There is an ongoing question as to whether bioidentical estrogens are perceived as natural as and thus safer than synthetic ones. Cenestin, for example, a synthetic estrogen, is made from plants, a natural source. This distorts the concept of what is natural and what is not. According to Health.Harvard.edu, the body can't tell the difference between bioidentical hormones and the ones naturally produced in a woman's body.
Progestins
Progestins are hormones used by both men and women for a variety of purposes. Progestins are prescribed to normalize the menstrual cycle, stopping and starting it, as well as for the treatment of kidney, uterine and breast cancer. According to MayoClinic.com, progestin can stop tumor growth by helping to change how cancer cells respond to other hormones that facilitate tumor growth. Sometimes confused with progesterone, many of which are synthetic; progestin is a progesterone-like blend that was made due to progesterone's inability to be absorbed orally, thereby replacing the need for synthetic progesterone. Bioidentical progesterone is ground into a finer grade so that the body can better absorb it. Progestin is available in a pill form, such as Prometrium, or vaginal gel, sold under the name Prochieve.
Combined Hormones
Combined hormones are bioidentical hormone medications that are custom-blended, often called custom-compounded. Based on prescription instructions, a pharmacist prepares a recipe of combined hormones, such as estradiol and progestin, for a particular patient. Combitpatch, Prefest and Climara Pro are combined hormone medications; the estradiol ingredient is bioidentical, but the progestin is not. According to Menopause.org, these recipes have not been put through any tests to show whether the medications are properly absorbed nor are the combined hormones medications FDA or Federal Drug Administration approved. In addition, there is no substantial data that establishes negative or positive effects on the body.
