therapy spotlight


Bio-Identical Hormones Bio-identical means that the hormone has the identical chemical structure as the hor- mones our own bodies make, so in essence, the body recognizes a bio-identical hor- mone as it’s own. T is allows for lower dos- ing, in most cases. Bio-identical hormones are derived from plant sterols primarily found in Mexican wild yams and soy. It is important to recognize that some


pharmaceutical-grade hormones are bio- identical, not synthetic, but are available only as fi xed doses. Without the option of individualized hormone dosing, such hormones could be said to be a one-size- fi ts-all approach.


Let’s Talk Hormones Understanding the Terminology Before


Starting Hormone Therapy by Vicki Joyce


H


ormones are chemical messengers that act on a target organ in the body eliciting a specifi c response.


Hormone imbalance aff ects women of all ages, including women prior to menopause. T ere are multiple sources for the


hormones available for HRT (hormone res- toration therapy). It can be confusing when the “buzz” words used to describe hor- mones are synthetic, natural and bio-iden- tical—even for the medical community. To fi nd a safe, eff ective, alternative to tradi- tional hormone therapy, sorting through the misinformation is as crucial as fi nding accurate information on the subject.


Commonly Reported Hormone Symptoms Common symptoms associated with hormone depletion may include: brain fog, hot fl ashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, painful sex, low libido, arousal and orgasm issues, PMS, irregular and/or painful periods, fertility issues, acne, endometrio- sis, fi broids, ovarian cysts, abnormal hair growth, weight gain, muscle loss, pre- mature aging, insomnia, fatigue, thyroid dysfunction, bone loss, anxiety, depression, cognitive decline and more.


18 Greater Oklahoma/OKC Edition


Natural Hormones T ere is no consensus on what natural means when it comes to hormone therapy. Some consider natural to be synonymous with “that found in nature” and not cre- ated in a lab or man-made. Some natural hormones are produced from the estrogen present in horse urine. It does not mean that we respond to that estrogen the same as we do to our own.


Synthetic Hormones Synthetic is used to describe any hor- mone that is produced by a pharmaceu- tical company or manufacturer that does not exclusively contain bio-identical hormones. Synthetic hormones contain compounds that have been synthesized to mimic our own hormones but are not the same structurally. To some, syn- thetic can mean therapeutic substances produced in a lab. Synthetically derived hormones often result in creating a state of hormone imbalance or in taking higher doses of hormones, which may pose more health risks for women. Some synthetic hormones are associated with increased risks for breast cancer or car- diovascular disease.


NaturalAwakeningsOKC.com


Options for Bio-Identical Hormone T erapy When considering bio-identical hormone restoration therapy (BHRT), the hormones most oſt en replaced are estradiol and estriol (both forms of estrogen), progester- one, testosterone and DHEA. Female bio- identical hormone replacement therapies can include pills, patches, troches, creams, injections, or pellet implants. T ese thera- pies may include estrogens, progesterone, testosterone or DHEA.


Average Age for Hormone T erapy T e most common time for women to seek hormone therapy is during menopause; however, hormone imbalance can occur in any of the three stages of menopause: perimenopause, menopause and post- menopause. Younger women with polycys- tic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) oſt en exhibit symptoms of hormone imbalance such as acne, facial hair, weight gain, irregular menstrual cycles and fertility issues.


Getting Bio-Identical Hormones Any hormone therapy requires a prescrip- tion. To identify if you are a candidate for hormone restoration, a responsible health care provider will order and review labs on hormone and thyroid levels. Addressing adrenal health, especially in menopausal females, should be an important consid- eration, and mammogram results should be requested, if applicable. T e health care provider should be able to speak to and


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