Bioidentical Therapy - Is it Better For You Than Synthetic Estrogen?

Bioidentical therapy - is it better for you than synthetic estrogen is a question to which many women are answering a resounding "yes." There are two reasons for this.

First, a study conducted by the Women's Health Initiative that was stopped in 2002 revealed the shocking fact that long-term use of synthetic estrogen such as Premarin increased a woman's risk of strokes, heart attacks and breast cancer.

Second, synthetic hormones such are not molecularly identical to our own hormones. For example, Premarin is made from the urine of a pregnant mare. In fact, if your break down the word Premarin, you get Pre = pregnant, Mar = Mare and In = urine. In stark contrast to this, bioidentical hormones such as those used in bioidentical therapy are molecularly identical to our own hormones.

Are there side effects from the use of bioidentical hormones? Bioidentical hormones represent a perfectly natural way to do hormone replacement therapy - and without any side effects whatsoever. As an example of this, bioidentical estrogen is made - in almost all cases - from the wild yam plant. Or course, the material extracted from this plant goes through four conversions in a laboratory before it becomes bioidentical estrogen.

You can purchase bioidentical estrogen and progesterone online but these products are "one size fits all." A better idea for many women is to go to your healthcare provider and get a prescription for bioidentical estrogen. You then take the prescription to a compounding pharmacist who will create the bioidentical estrogen - custom-tailored to balance your hormones. There may be no definitive answer to the question, Bioidentical therapy - Is it better for you than synthetic estrogen? but there is a great of anecdotal evidence that the answer is "yes." In other words, many women are now taking bioidentical hormones and report that they definitely look younger and feel better.

Memory Loss? It's Not A Sign Of Old Age - Difficulty Concentrating During Perimenopause

Difficulty concentrating and memory issues always seem to get worse as a person grows older. For a woman who is worried that she might be getting a bit too forgetful during perimenopause and menopause, this article will discuss the reasons why this is happening to her. By understanding that it is a normal occurrence at the time of approaching menopause, a woman may relax in the knowledge that she may improve her mental focus. During the perimenopause and menopause stage, it is normal to have the up and down effects of hormonal imbalances which may give her the feeling that she is slowly starting to lose focus and having difficulty concentrating. You may notice this for example by forgetting where you put your keys or parked your car.

Memory loss, forgetfulness, a loss in concentration, and a lack of focus are some of the annoying symptoms that women most often complain about. These feelings of confusion and mental disorientation are actually quite common during a woman's midlife transition. The symptoms may also be aggravated after a woman has had a hysterectomy and experiences premature menopause. Perimenopause is a period of up to 10 years before menopause, which is the end of a women's period.

Common symptoms of difficulty concentrating:

• Forgetting recent conversations


• Fuzzy thinking


• Disorientation


• Forgetfulness


• Unable to concentrate over a long period

Treatments for improving concentration and memory
Natural treatments for improving your memory and concentration are diet, sleep, exercise, herbal remedies and natural progesterone cream. Eating nutritional food is essential in having a healthy brain and body. Eating the correct combination of proteins, carbohydrates as well as healthy fats may help with a difficulty in concentration.

Antioxidants may help with memory function and improved concentration. High-antioxidant foods include yellow vegetables and certain nuts. Soy and tofu may also improve memory. Gingko biloba, green tea and blueberries are also great to increase concentration and boost memory. With a few changes to her diet, a woman can eat healthier and also reduce forgetfulness and difficulty concentrating during perimenopause and menopause.

In addition, sleeping for at least eight hours every night may also help with memorization skills. Exercising is also another way to achieve mental fitness. It may increase the chemicals that nourish the nerve cells within the brain. Exercise also reduces high blood pressure that may cause short-term memory loss. It is important not to get stressed. When a person is stressed, the body may release too much Cortisol. This is not good for recalling information. However, learning a new hobby or attending a class gives the brain a good workout and may help to strengthen memory when having memory issues or difficulty concentrating.

Memory and natural progesterone
When a woman is going through menopause, estrogen production may go down as much as up to 60% and progesterone production may go to zero. The hormone imbalance ratio is the cause of the unpleasant and uncomfortable symptoms. Women may consider using natural progesterone cream for symptoms to get relief. A woman should not feel alone. Many women experience the same symptoms and signs. A woman should understand what is normal and healthy and what is definitely not. This is important for her well-being, her health and her energy.

Many Doctors use bioidentical progesterone cream for memory issues and difficulty concentrating as a natural hormone replacement therapy, mainly because it safely reduces most of the symptoms caused by menopause including difficulty concentrating. Progesterone is usually a precursor to all other hormones inside the body including estrogen and testosterone. Progesterone balances the ratio of low estrogen or high or low progesterone. Natural progesterone cream is the only bioidentical hormone that may efficiently achieve relief for your symptoms. Natural progesterone cream addresses the cause of hormone imbalance, therefore may help relieve your symptoms.

Natural Progesterone Cream with Wild Yam and Chaste Tree Berry is a recommended choice. It is very popular with health care professional and women of all ages. Natural remedies may be effective, safer than drugs and a valuable option. A lot of women may find that a natural progesterone cream is the easiest kind of alternative treatment for them to use. It has no side effects. It is economical and effective.

Natural progesterone cream treats a hormonal imbalance at its own source. It is the only natural remedy that addresses the cause of hormone imbalance. The cause of hormone imbalance is the ratio of estrogen to progesterone and decline of all hormones.

Hormone estrogen replacement therapy (ERT), is another option for women who are suffering with a low sex drive. There are certain risks involve with estrogen hormone replacement therapy such as an increased chance for developing certain cancers in women. Now there are clinically proven options for HRT that are safe and effective. Natural progesterone cream is a bio-identical hormone cream that gently balances hormones and provides relief to many menopause symptoms including loss of libido.

When a woman understands that a difficulty in concentration is actually a very common symptom during menopause, steps may be taken to improve her mental clarity. Lack of concentration may be frightening for a woman when it is so unexpected. A woman might feel concerned that forgetfulness, memory issues and difficulty concentrating is a warning sign of Alzheimer's. By reading this article a woman may rest assured that there are steps that she may take to ease her worried mind. Menopause is another chapter of a woman's life cycle. ?By understanding the symptoms of menopause there are natural solutions that a woman may try. Once you have all the information about your options, you can make an informed choice.

This is for education only. It is not intended to treat, prevent or cure a medical disease. If you have a medical condition, please consult a health care professional.

Advantages of Natural Mouthwash

There are many advantages to natural mouthwash and natural products in general. While the marketplace is filled with shelves that are packed with products made from an endless amount of chemicals, natural products are still being used by many. Maybe these individuals just prefer a more natural way of life or maybe they know the advantages of products like natural mouthwash.

Less Irritation

Traditional mouthwash usually has a high alcohol content. This high alcohol content can irritate the lining of the mouth. It could cause even more discomfort for those with sensitive gums.

That stinging sensation has come to be expected by many who use mouthwash. They believe it to just be part of the experience. The truth is that it is the ingredients in traditional mouthwash that cause this sensation.

Natural mouthwash, because it lacks this high alcohol content, is gentler on the mouth. Its all natural ingredients help to serve the functions of mouthwash in a natural way. This can help users to avoid the level of irritation and discomfort that some traditional mouthwash products can create.

You Know What You're Getting

Would you put food into your mouth if you didn't know what it was? Do you think you should use a mouthwash if you cannot recognize all the ingredients? Another advantage of natural mouthwash is that you know what you are putting in to your body.

You may think that the ingredients do not matter because you are going to swish the mouthwash around and spit it back out anyway. The truth is that the lining of the mouth has the ability to absorb substances directly without the need for swallowing. If you put something in your mouth then there is a chance that some of it will make it past your mouth and into the rest of your body. Do you want chemicals or natural ingredients inside you?

How Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Fits Into Menopause

In the next few years there are going to be 25 million women in the United States turning 50. And unfortunately one of the things to look forward to will be menopause. While menopause is sort of like arthritis in the sense that it's never a fatal experience, it is definitely something that nobody truly looks forward to. It's not like it's trip to an amusement park or anything like that!

When it comes to symptoms, women are unique and experience a different variety and severity. They may include hot flashes, irregular menstrual periods, trouble sleeping and vaginal vault dryness. Multiple types of conventional FDA approved medications are available to help with these symptoms, and reduce long term health risks, like osteopenia, osteoporosis, and heart disease.

Since the symptoms and severity are so individualized, specific treatment should be undertaken with the guidance of a physician. The different hormone treatments that are often prescribed include the following:

1. Estrogen therapy by itself.

2. Estrogen plus progesterone therapy (EPT).

3. Hormone therapy (HT) - technically encompasses both 1 and 2

4. Custom compounded hormones - this includes bioidentical hormones.

With multiple options available, women need to weigh the risks and benefits of each in conjunction with a provider who deals with it on a regular basis. There is no one size fits all approach.

Bioidentical hormones are becoming more popular since they offer hormones in their completely natural state like the body, and not a synthetic variety such as in most conventional medications.

Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) utilizes hormones that are identical on a molecular level to those made by the human body and attempts to restore one's hormones to the levels that were achieved during the prime health of one's life. This would have been in one's twenties and thirties.

The hormones fit in exactly into the body's receptors, allowing the body to use them to the fullest. With conventional hormones that are synthetic, the issue is that the body may see them as foreign and end up not using them to their fullest extent. In addition, significant side effects may result.

Prior to prescribing bioidentical hormone regimens from a custom compounding pharmacy, doctors will perform blood work and a physical examination to understand the woman's baseline exactly. Because of this the approach is not a factory line situation and women will receive different levels of hormones in the compounding tailored to their specific needs.

Estrogen Dominance - Maintaining Hormonal Balance in Men

Many aspects of our health depend upon balance. For energy, we must balance rest with exercise. For fuel, we must balance protein with carbohydrates. Finally, for healthy cells, we must balance estrogen and testosterone. These two key hormones, along with progesterone, are vital for good health. When they fall out of balance, however, various problems can occur. In men, the condition known as estrogen dominance may lead to infertility, breast development, even cancer. Fortunately, it is possible to fight estrogen dominance and prevent these alarming outcomes.

What is Estrogen Dominance?

All men need both estrogen and testosterone in the correct balance. When the balance is sent askew and estrogen reaches a level that leads to health problems, a man may be diagnosed with estrogen dominance. Testosterone levels are high in young men, but they decrease as we age. This is normal. Outside factors, however, often cause estrogen levels to rise at the same time testosterone is decreasing. In this case, it is not our bodies that are to blame, but environmental factors.

The most common culprits in estrogen dominance are substances known as xenoestrogens. These are estrogen-like substances found in our environment, from the food we eat, to the products we use. Common sources of xenoestrogens are commercially raised beef, chicken and pork due to the hormones often given to the animals to produce rapid growth.

Other sources are styrofoam, plastics and cans used for food and water; cosmetics and personal care products; detergents and household cleaners; artificial scents such as air fresheners; herbicides and pesticides; and paints and solvents.

How Excess Estrogen Impacts Male Health

Though estrogen dominance may cause a host of health concerns, prostate cancer may be chief among them. Studies show that men with the highest levels of estrogen have enlarged prostates. In laboratory experiments, prostate cells exposed to estrogen proliferate and become cancerous. When treated with testosterone, the cancer cells die. Therefore, fighting estrogen dominance may be the key to reducing your prostate cancer risk.

Other problems in men due to estrogen dominance are decreased fertility due to low sperm count and other sexual problems, like erectile dysfunction. In some men, estrogen dominance may cause the development of breast tissue, baldness, weight gain and other cancers. To avoid these outcomes, you must reduce your exposure to xenoestrogens as you age.

Fighting Estrogen Dominance

You can cut your exposure to excess estrogen by avoiding the substances I named in the first section. Many of these include commercial products you may have around the house. For every product you throw away, there is likely to be a natural and safe replacement. For example, you can buy laundry detergents with no scents or dyes in most supermarkets. There are several affordable lines of natural cleaning products available through mainstream retailers. For example, Seventh Generation makes virtually every cleaning product you might need.

Besides changing your shopping habits, there are more easy steps you can take at home. Use glass or ceramic containers for food storage, rather than plastics. Replace styrofoam plates and cups with traditional serving ware. Reduce your exposure to solvents found in products like rubbing alcohol, paint thinner and nail polish remover. If you must handle solvents for a job, wear gloves.

If you already aim to eat a diet rich in whole foods and low in processed foods-the best way to eat for optimal health-then you are already on your way to minimizing estrogen exposure. If you do not buy organic produce, consider doing so to avoid commercial pesticides.

Buy meat that is labeled "hormone-free" or organic. Eat fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains instead of canned foods, processed snack food and prepared meals. If a food has a long list of ingredients you cannot understand, it is more likely to contain xenoestrogens. Whole fruits and vegetables, on the other hand, are loaded with antioxidants that are completely natural and fight disease in the body. To bolster your supply of healthy vitamins and antioxidants, consider vitamin supplements as well.

If you are a man approaching middle age, there is no need to fear estrogen dominance. With all the ways to take action and live a more natural lifestyle, you will likely avoid the consequences described above. All men should strive to minimize the risk of prostate cancer. By guarding against hormone imbalance, you will be more likely to enjoy a long, healthy life.

The Dangers of Hormone Replacement Therapy

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT), for men, is a treatment applied to those with unusually low testosterone levels. This type of HRT is more commonly known as testosterone replacement therapy.

HRT, generally, is a medication that contains synthetic hormones that can be taken either orally or transdermally. Testosterone replacement medications are essentially anabolic steroids sold legally.

When we say anabolic steroids, we mean those used by athletes to improve strength and muscle mass. They are basically illegal and they can cause serious health problems. Today, they are sold legally in the form of supplements and hormone replacements. Supplements can be purchased freely over the Internet while hormone replacements require a doctor's prescription. Legal or illegal, these supplements and hormone replacements can cause serious health problems.

HRT for men, in particular, can cause a number of harmful side-effects. Contrary to what is generally advertised by drug companies, hormone replacement therapy is not safe. From fluid retention to prostate growth, hormone replacement therapy can be considered one of the most harmful treatments sold legally in the market today.

Side Effects of Testosterone Replacement Therapy

Fluid Retention:

After just a few months into the treatment, many men prescribed with hormone replacement therapy methods complain of fluid retention. Swelling usually occurs in the ankles or legs. Most of the time, this is accompanied with high blood pressure or congestive heart failure.

Sleep apnea:

Sleep apnea is a condition in which an individual stops breathing for a period of time while sleeping. There have been many reported cases of this condition of men who are under hormone replacement therapy. Interestingly, although the public has been warned of this possibility, drug companies have released several statements denying this fact. As per their conclusion, the studies conducted associating testosterone replacement therapy and sleep apnea are weak and require further investigation.

Spermatogenesis:

The production of sperm in all men is dependent on production of testosterone by the testes. When hormone replacement therapy is applied to men who are testosterone deficient, the testes begin to stop producing natural testosterones altogether. This condition may either be temporary or permanent. For this reason, most doctors prefer to apply this form of treatment to men who already have children. This risk is not only a possibility but has been proven to be absolute for all those under this form of medication.

Tender breasts or enlargement of breasts:

Men have some testosterone that gets converted to estrogen but normally isn't enough to cause estrogenic side effects such as gynecomastia (breast enlargement) But when taking supplemental doses of testosterone, particularly through hormone replacement therapy, much of it is converted to estradiol. The result of which, is feminized characteristics in men such as enlarge breasts.

Liver Toxicity:

There have been no reports of liver toxicity from transdermal testosterone replacement. However, for those on oral testosterone replacement, there have been a significant number of men reported to have developed liver problems. Incidentally, this is also the reason why all manufacturers of hormone replacement medications are now mentioning the possibility of liver failure when using their products.

Polycythemia:

One of the most important side effects of testosterone replacement therapy is the increase in the red blood cell mass and hemoglobin levels (Polycythemia). This is particularly true of older men as the increase of blood cell mass may lead to the possibility of heart attacks, strokes or peripheral clotting in the veins.

Prostate Growth:

Hormone replacement therapy for men can cause prostate growth. Prostate growth can cause problems with urination or at worse, may promote the growth of cancerous prostate cells. It is noteworthy to state that prostate cancer is a common cancer for older men and the second most common cause of cancer deaths.

Should Women In Their Fifties Undergo Hormone Replacement Therapy? It's Clear As Mud

Over the next 10 years, there will be 25 million women in the US turning 50. One tough question at that point is whether or not to start hormone replacement therapy or not. It's really not an easy answer, and one that has changed over time with new findings.

Estrogen was initially thought to be great for helping with menopause, bone strength, anti-aging, and libido. But ten years ago, estrogen was shown to raise the incidence of breast cancer and heart disease. So the tide turned against it understandably.

Now things are clear as mud. In the study that showed the increase risk of adverse effects with estrogen (including cancer), there was actually a decreased risk of breast cancer among women who took estrogen alone, without progesterone. Why? Some think it was due to the particular kind of progesterone used in those patients that caused the increased risk of cancer. Some newer studies have suggested using natural progesterone along with estrogen in either smaller doses or for less days in the month.

The tide is turning back in favor of women going on hormone replacement during menopause and after. With minimal exposure to progesterone of a natural form, breast cancer may be minimized, and the benefits of the hormones are substantial. Reduced hip fracture risk, and better bone and cardiovascular health ensue. Also, mood swings may be reduced, diabetes risk is lowered as well. Estrogen may lower one's risk of colon cancer too.

Hot flashes are minimized, vaginal hydration is helped, and certain types of cancer are even reduced. There is some research showing that fluctuating hormone levels during menopause can cause depression, memory problems, and depressed cognition. Considering that if a woman sustains a hip fracture there is over a 25% chance of death within a year, hormone replacement has its place assuming the cancer risks are mitigated. Additional side effects of estrogen include a slightly increased risk of stroke, pulmonary embolism, and dementia after age 65.

There are critics of HRT who say that there are plenty of medicines that can address the symptoms. But they are not symptom free. Consider bisphosphonates, which can assist with bone health but have been linked recently to femur fractures and muscle pain.

Recently, there has been an increased interest in bioidentical hormones, which are the same hormones as in traditional HRT, but represent the natural hormone rather than being manufactured synthetically in a lab. The benefits can be tremendous without the side effects of some of the synthetic versions.