The endocrine system releases hormones that control physiological processes throughout the body. Disease and aging break down this system, creating hormonal deficiencies. Prescription medications and nutritional supplements can help rectify these problems. People, however, have become more interested in natural treatments. Bioidentical hormones, similar to those made by the endocrine system, provide a way for patients to treat endocrine problems. These substances should be taken only on a doctor's advice.
Hypogonadal Men
Testosterone deficiencies reduce muscles and weaken bones in hypogonadic males. Many older men with low androgen production become susceptible to injury. Replacing male hormones with dehydroepiandrosterone or testosterone may help prevent the development of frailty. An investigation by A. M. Kenny and coworkers published in the June 2010 edition of "Journal of the American Geriatrics Society" tested the impact of testosterone replacement in older men with androgen deficiency. Subjects received either the bioidentical testosterone or an inert treatment for one year. Relative to placebo, testosterone increased muscle mass and decreased body fat. The androgen treatment also enhanced bone density.
Postmenopausal Women
Estrogen deficiencies cause hot flashes and night sweats in some older women. Taking female hormones such as progesterone and estrogen may reduce these menopausal symptoms. A report by R. E. Hedrick and associates in the November 2010 issue of "Menopause" looked at the healing effects of an estradiol gel. Postmenopausal women applied this form of bioidentical estrogen or an inert cream to an arm for three months. The results indicated that estradiol, relative to placebo, decreased both the number and severity of common vasomotor symptoms. These effects occurred regardless of demographic variables like ovarian status and age.
Turner Girls
Estrogen also plays a role in the symptoms of Turner syndrome. This genetic disorder alters the physical appearance of young girls. Administering exogenous estrogen may help Turner girls develop more normally. An experiment by Z. M. Nabhan and colleagues described in the June 2009 edition of "Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism" compared bioidentical hormones and estrogenic drugs. Turner girls were given either transdermal or conjugated estrogen for a year. Natural estrogen better improved bone growth and uterine development. In fact, two thirds of the girls in the bioidentical estrogen group had a normal uterus by the study's end while none in the inert treatment group did.
Pregnant Women
Progesterone deficiencies can cause early labor in at-risk women. Enhancing natural progesterone levels with bioidentical hormones may help prevent premature birth. A paper by E. Cetingoz and team in Turkey tested this hypothesis in women with identical twin pregnancy, prior preterm birth and uterine abnormality. These patients received either micronized progesterone or inert treatment during the last trimester. The results, published in the Jan. 22, 2010, issue of "Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics," showed that the bioidentical progesterone reduced premature labor and early birth relative to placebo intake. Most importantly, no adverse effects of the bioidentical treatment were apparent in either the mother or child.
References
- "Journal of the American Geriatrics Society"; Effects of Transdermal Testosterone on Bone and Muscle in Older Men with Low Bioavailable Testosterone Levels, Low Bone Mass, and Physical Frailty; A. M. Kenny et al.; June 2010
- "Menopause"; Estradiol Gel 0.1% Relieves Vasomotor Symptoms Independent of Age, Ovarian Status, or Uterine Status; R. E. Hedrick et al.; November 2010
- "Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism": Conjugated Oral versus Transdermal Estrogen Replacement in Girls with Turner Syndrome
- "Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics"; Progesterone Effects on Preterm Birth in High-Risk Pregnancies; E. Cetingoz et al., Jan. 22, 2010
