Bio-identical Hormone Replacement

People (both men and women) use hormone supplements to maintain proper body function and reverse the effects of aging.

Many other bio-identical hormone replacement products are also available including pregnenolone, liothyronine, DHEA, and human growth hormone.Some of the most commonly used supplemented hormones are discussed briefly below.

Estrogens

The female body produces and utilizes three types of estrogens: estradiol, estrone, and estriol. The amount circulating averages about 15% estradiol, 15% estrone, and 70% estriol. Over the last 35 years, when a woman starting experiencing menopausal symptoms, her physician had few options for hormone replacement other than equine (horse) derived estrogens (e.g., Premarin) to offer her. As you might imagine, equine estrogens are not the same as human estrogens. Premarin contains 75% estrone, about 10% equilin (a horse estrogen), some estradiol, and two other horse estrogens. The body responds to Premarin in ways that are both good (since estrone helps relieve symptoms) and bad (with an increase in side effects because of the "foreign" horse estrogens and the overdose of estrone). The NIH's Women's Health Initiative found in one large trial of over 16,000 women that use of the commercially available conjugated estrogens/progestin (Prempro™) is not advisable after 4-5 years. (Read more about this trial here). Similar statements could be made about most of the other commercially available estrogen replacements, they just DON'T match what mother nature gave us. But why take the risk of the side effects at all? Many women today, if they decide to take estrogen supplements, are using combinations of estrogens that are EXACTLY identical to those made by their own body. Today, estradiol, estrone, and estriol can all be obtained in natural form by a pharmacist and combined in proper percentages to match a woman's needs.

Progesterone

The "mother" hormone that is processed to make the other sex hormones and has important actions throughout the body. Women supplement with Progesterone to balance the effects of estrogens in the body. Many symptoms of menopause can be treated by using Progesterone alone. Don't confuse Progesterone with Provera or other times of progestins. Progestins are chemically modified forms that are similar but NOT identical to Progesterone. Progestins were shown in the WHI studies to have many severe side effects with long term use.

Testosterone

Traditionally, considered a "male" hormone, both men and women need testosterone to maintain muscle tone, libido, a sense of well being, and strong bones. Women supplement at lower doses (usually less than 5mg per day) than men, who use doses at least 5 to 10 times higher.