Is Bioidentical Hormone Right For You?

A bioidentical hormone is essentially the same as one produced by your own body, right down to its molecular structure. Because of this, your body is not only unable to tell the difference, it seamlessly accepts these hormones as your own.

What could this mean for you? For one, the chance to alleviate everything from uncomfortable symptoms to degenerative diseases.

The bioidentical hormone is cultivated from plants, animals or other natural sources. Its molecules are then manipulated to match those of naturally produced hormones, allowing it to be inserted into the human body and produce some positive natural effects.

Adding these replacement hormones helps alleviate the symptoms of menopause and counters hormonal loss related to and following menopause. It also helps stabilize organs, muscles and bones and promotes overall health. As hormonal levels in your body decrease, these organs and tissues suffer the consequences. This can lead to a number of problematic conditions and diseases. All of this, however, can be offset with the addition of a bioidentical hormone.

Replacement therapy is available for both men and women, but by prescription only. Individuals considering the treatment should consult with their personal doctor, who will conduct his or her own tests and examine potential symptoms to indicate whether it would be a beneficial course of action.

If a patient is determined to be a good fit for the treatment, he or she will be tested further to determine the level that should be administered. The types of hormones that are typically replaced are estriol, estradiol, estrone, testosterone, progesterone, melatonin, thyroid, HGH or DHEA. They can be administered as a topical cream or patch or in pill or capsule form through the mouth.

The history of this replacement treatment dates back to the early 20th century, when Dr. James Collip began the practice of taking estrogen from the urine of pregnant women and manufacturing it into a product known as Emmenin that could combat hormonal deficiencies in menopausal women.

The product was later supplanted by equine estrogens known as Premarin, which were easier to make than Emmenin and produced the same results. By the late 20th century, Premarin was the most widely-used prescription drug in the United States.

Like with most medical treatments, there are risks associated with these hormonal treatments, but typicall no more so than those involved in non-identical treatments. These risks vary depending on the medical conditions and history of the individual patient, so anyone considering the treatment should consult with his or her doctor.

Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy has been a life-changing breakthrough for patients all over the world who were looking to alleviate a wide array of medical conditions. Only your doctor can tell you if it is the right solution for you, but if other treatments, medicines and therapies have failed you, it is worth asking about the possibilities of this revolutionary approach to healing.