Bioidentical Hormones: An Insight

Posted by Yafr Qqater in Bioidentical Hormones

Bioidentical hormones can be found in two different forms: synthetic and bioidentical. Synthetic Hormones are made from chemical compounds and must be approved by the FDA. Bioidentical hormones are made from living substances and do not need to undergo FDA approval. These are believed to have the same molecular structure of an estrogen or progesterone hormone, while acting on the same endocrine system. Find more information Bioidentical Hormones

Bioidentical hormones have been approved by the FDA for use in menopausal women and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PAD). PAD is one of the most commonly diagnosed conditions that requires the use of bioidentical hormones. Because these hormones are often advertised as “on the shelf” or “custom made” they can be much more dangerous than conventional hormone therapy. Bioidentical hormones can be more difficult for individuals to tolerate and can cause various side effects including: headaches, mood swings, muscle pain, and even acne. Bioidentical Hormones, although safer than conventional hormone therapy, have not been approved for use in gynecological cancer or in cases of breast cancer.

In addition to being potentially dangerous, bioidentical hormones are rarely tested in clinical trials to determine their safety or effectiveness in treating specific symptoms. This means that there are currently no plans to test the safety of bioidentical hormones in regards to breast cancer, endometrial cancer, or ovarian cancer. The lack of clinical trials makes it impossible to determine how these hormones affect women with certain symptoms. For example, some symptoms of endometriosis include vaginal bleeding, painful intercourse, and severe pain during or after intercourse. If bioidentical hormones prove to be effective for women with endometriosis, doctors may not be able to treat these symptoms with conventional hormone therapy.