Hormones control most basic bodily functions and serve as chemical messengers between cells throughout the body. They coordinate everything from digestion and growth, to your appetite, immune function, mood and libido. When hormones are out of balance, even slightly, it can have a significant impact on your health and well-being. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is commonly used to help correct hormone imbalance, ease symptoms and improve overall health.
Bioidentical and synthetic hormones are often used in HRT. However, comparing bioidentical to synthetic hormones is much like comparing apples to oranges. The three most commonly debated differences are their effectiveness, safety and reliability.
Bioidentical hormones are naturally derived plant-based hormones that are identical in molecular structure to those naturally occurring in men and women. They are extracted from soy and wild yams that can be used to replace any hormone – estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, thyroid hormone, DHEA, cortisol, etc. Becuse they are identical in structure, they are more effective, safer and better tolerated with less potential side effects.
Synthetic (or more specifically, non-bioidentical) hormones are derived from substances that are not naturally occurring and/or do not share an identical structure to our own natural hormones. Although these hormones are capable of binding to our body’s hormone receptors, they cannot fully replicate normal hormone functioning in the body due to the mismatch of molecular structure. Instead they may act like environmental toxins that can be cytotoxic to estrogen-sensitive tissue, disrupt hormone balance, alter the binding of other hormones and negatively impact the liver’s hormone metabolism. Furthermore, certain forms of synthetic hormones pose increased risk for breast cancer and cardiovascular disease.
Synthetic hormones are FDA approved, covered by insurance and do not require a specialty pharmacy. Bioidentical hormones on the other hand are compounded at specialty pharmacies in order to allow for customization of hormone treatment and dose, provide improved absorption/efficacy and eliminate the unnecessary addition of preservatives found in synthetically manufactured hormones. Although bioidentical hormones are not typically covered by health insurance, the cost of getting a safer, more effective and customized treatment is worth the out of pocket expense. We recommend and use local compounding pharmacies that are known for their quality and reliability.
Hormone replacement therapy may not be appropriate or necessary for every patient. While dietary and lifestyle changes, herbs and supplements can often help treat symptoms of hormone imbalance, there are times when hormone replacement may be the only option to provide sufficient relief. Common symptoms that may warrant HRT include difficult menopause, painful sex, low libido, arousal and orgasm issues, PMS, painful or irregular periods, fertility issues, acne, endometriosis, fibroids, ovarian cysts, abnormal hair growth, weight gain, muscle loss, insomnia, fatigue, thyroid dysfunction, bone loss, anxiety, depression, cognitive decline, and more.
