BIO-IDENTICAL (or Biologically Identical) HORMONES
Bio-Identical refers to the balance of hormones that are naturally present in the body before Menopause or Andropause. They are extracted from plant products, often yam or soy,and produced by Compounding Pharmacies. The Bio-Identical hormones include:
TRI-EST (TRIPLE ESTROGEN)- estrogen is the most effective therapy for treating hot flashes, vaginal dryness, post-menopausal depression and vaginal dryness. Pre-Menopausal symptoms are often a result of estrogen dominance with symptoms like breast tenderness, bloating, skipped or irregular menses, headaches, weight gain, mood swings and sleep difficulties.
ESTRIOL (often called the weak estrogen) because although it can treat hot flashes and vaginal dryness, it is thought to not have receptors that stimulate breast these so will not promote breast cancer. Approximately 80% of Estrogen is Estriol. It is often used in vaginal creams made by compounding pharmacists to treat vaginal dryness.
ESTRADIOL- is the main estrogen in drug therapy produced by Pharmaceutical Companies to treat Menopausal symptoms. It comprises approximately 10% of our estrogen before menopause and can promote breast tissue.
Estradiol is a more potent estrogen and protects bone density and treats menopausal symptoms more effectively than Estriol alone.
ESTRONE- approximately 10% of pre-menopausal estrogen is also more potent than Estriol, but is felt to be responsible for cancer promotion. However, the body naturally converts the estrogens from one to another, so any estrogen therapy can increase levels of either of these 3 estrogens.
PROGESTERONE- Known as the calming hormone, Progesterone is usually the first to have decreased levels in pre-menopause. It might help sleep, decrease bloating and headaches and help regulate menstrual cycles or balance heavy bleeding. Since excess progesterone can cause bloating and fatigue, so a balance is important.
TESTOSTERONE- Although known as a male hormone, a healthy level is important for libido, energy and muscle tone. As the adrenal glands often continue to produce testosterone after menopause, it is often necessary to test for levels as they can vary widely.
DHEA-dihydroepiandosterone- an important hormone for energy produced by the adrenal glands, DHEA levels can be affected by stress, surgery, sleep disturbance or illness. A saliva test can be used to identify depletion.
Treatments vary depend on the length and extent of symptoms.
Bio-Identical refers to the balance of hormones that are naturally present in the body before Menopause or Andropause. They are extracted from plant products, often yam or soy,and produced by Compounding Pharmacies. The Bio-Identical hormones include:
TRI-EST (TRIPLE ESTROGEN)- estrogen is the most effective therapy for treating hot flashes, vaginal dryness, post-menopausal depression and vaginal dryness. Pre-Menopausal symptoms are often a result of estrogen dominance with symptoms like breast tenderness, bloating, skipped or irregular menses, headaches, weight gain, mood swings and sleep difficulties.
ESTRIOL (often called the weak estrogen) because although it can treat hot flashes and vaginal dryness, it is thought to not have receptors that stimulate breast these so will not promote breast cancer. Approximately 80% of Estrogen is Estriol. It is often used in vaginal creams made by compounding pharmacists to treat vaginal dryness.
ESTRADIOL- is the main estrogen in drug therapy produced by Pharmaceutical Companies to treat Menopausal symptoms. It comprises approximately 10% of our estrogen before menopause and can promote breast tissue.
Estradiol is a more potent estrogen and protects bone density and treats menopausal symptoms more effectively than Estriol alone.
ESTRONE- approximately 10% of pre-menopausal estrogen is also more potent than Estriol, but is felt to be responsible for cancer promotion. However, the body naturally converts the estrogens from one to another, so any estrogen therapy can increase levels of either of these 3 estrogens.
PROGESTERONE- Known as the calming hormone, Progesterone is usually the first to have decreased levels in pre-menopause. It might help sleep, decrease bloating and headaches and help regulate menstrual cycles or balance heavy bleeding. Since excess progesterone can cause bloating and fatigue, so a balance is important.
TESTOSTERONE- Although known as a male hormone, a healthy level is important for libido, energy and muscle tone. As the adrenal glands often continue to produce testosterone after menopause, it is often necessary to test for levels as they can vary widely.
DHEA-dihydroepiandosterone- an important hormone for energy produced by the adrenal glands, DHEA levels can be affected by stress, surgery, sleep disturbance or illness. A saliva test can be used to identify depletion.
Treatments vary depend on the length and extent of symptoms.