Bioidentical Hormones 

Bioidentical hormones are also known as natural hormones. As we age, our hormone levels begin to decline. Supplementing our hormones during this time of transition can keep us healthy and happy.  

Bioidentical hormone replacement or natural hormone replacement (NHR) is the concept of replacing a man's hormones or a woman’s hormones with identical natural hormones in the correct proportions at the correct time. This means a balance of natural estrogens, progesterone, DHEA, testosterone, melatonin and other hormones. 

Traditional hormone replacement therapy or HRT has been around since the early 1970s. The most widely used HRT, Premarin, is made from pregnant mares’ urine.  One of the problems in using Premarin is that it does not act the same in a woman’s body as natural estrogen and can cause significant problems (see Box A). 

Box A

The advantages of NHR for menopausal and postmenopausal women are quite clear. We want to restore the body’s natural hormone balance, not “cure” menopausal symptoms. 

There are hormone receptors on nearly every cell in our bodies. If we use natural hormone replacement in the same proportions and following the same timing as our bodies’ rhythm, we are much less likely to cause problems. Hormone replacement therapy is whole body therapy. 
 

Bioidentical hormones have many benefits:

How do we determine what hormones a man or woman needs?

We test a woman’s current hormone levels and replace what is missing with bioidentical hormones. After a period of time, we retest to make sure all the hormones we replace are in correct proportions. Low levels of hormones will not help and levels that are too high can cause unwanted symptoms. So follow up is very important.

Is NHR FDA approved?

Bioidentical hormones have never been tested by the FDA because it costs money to do medical studies. Pharmaceutical companies cannot make money on natural hormones and therefore do not front these studies, even when it is in the best interest of men and women.

What exactly am I taking with bioidentical hormones?

NHR gets its start from the wild yam Diascorea composite. The wild yam is easily converted into molecules that are identical in every way to “natural” estrogens, progesterone, testosterone and other hormones.

The wild yam molecules are found to be absolutely indistinguishable from those the human body produces itself. Thus the crucial variable defining “natural” is not the origin of the hormone but its chemical structure.

How do I know if bioidentical hormones are right for me?

Your first task is to fill out an in-depth questionnaire and discuss with Dr. Gregory and her staff what tests are indicated for you. After the appropriate saliva, urine, blood or stool tests are performed; Dr. Gregory will recommend hormones, supplements or both, based on your individual needs. It is important to keep in mind we are each unique and your treatment will be designed just for you.

*Some material has been taken from the book Natural Hormone Replacement written by Wright and Morgenthaler.

Click Here to download the Hormone Questionnaire
The questionnaire can be filled out then printed to fax to our office, or filled out then saved to your computer in order to attach it to an email to us.