Synthetic hormones are hormones that are synthesized, or made, in a laboratory that are very near but not identical to the molecular shape and structure of the hormones produced within the body. Women going through menopause often use synthetic hormones for hormone replacement therapy to combat symptoms such as hot flashes, mood swings, vaginal dryness and loss of libido caused by a lack of estrogen. Because the body recognizes that these synthetic hormones are different, unwanted side effects ranging from non-life threatening to a risk of serious conditions have been reported.
Non-Life Threatening
The most common side effects of synthetic hormones include the retention of water, bloating, headache and nausea. Synthetic hormones can also cause breast soreness and irregular menstrual bleeding.
Synthetic hormones, especially estrogen and progesterone, can also cause mood swings. Estrogen affects serotonin and beta-endorphins producing excited feelings while progesterone triggers calming feelings, according to Integrative Psychiatry. Taking synthetic hormones changes the balance between the two, resulting in mood swings.
Blood Clots
Synthetic hormones, especially estrogen, can trigger the formation of blood clots. These blood clots may be either in a vein, known as deep vein thrombosis, or in the lungs, known as pulmonary embolus. This side effect increases the risk of having a stroke, another potentially dangerous side effect.
Cancer
There is some controversy about whether taking synthetic hormones, specifically estrogen and progestin, increases the risk of developing cancers as a side effect. Research performed by the Women's Health Initiative in collaboration with the National Cancer Institute found that women taking a combination synthetic hormone, both estrogen and progestin, had an increased risk of developing breast cancer. This study found that women taking synthetic hormones have a 24 percent increase in risk of breast cancer than those not taking synthetic hormones.
A woman taking synthetic hormones who still has her uterus has an increased risk of developing endometrial cancer as a side effect, according to the Women's Health Initiative studies. Ovarian cancer is another side effect for those taking synthetic estrogen, especially when taken for 10 or more years.
Cardiovascular
Synthetic hormones can cause an increase in blood pressure leading to hypertension. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Labeling guidelines for oral contraceptives (synthetic hormones), this side effect is most common in older patients and the risk increases with prolonged use of the hormones.
Taking synthetic hormones can also increase the incidence of myocardial infarctions, or heart attacks. Patients taking synthetic hormones have a three- to five-fold risk, according to the FDA, of experiencing a heart attack over those who do not use synthetic hormones.
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