Conventional, or synthetic, hormones are synthesized in a lab and typically derived from plant progesterone and animal estrogens (phytoestrogens). Synthetic hormones are very near—but not identical—to the molecular structure of the hormones produced within the human body. Women going through menopause often use synthetic hormones to treat symptoms such as hot flashes, mood swings, vaginal dryness, and low libido. The menopausal symptoms are generally the result of declining estrogen levels.
In many cases, the body interprets synthetic hormones as foreign toxins because it cannot metabolize the chemical make-up of the hormone. This often leads to a variety of unwanted side effects ranging from non-life threatening to more serious medical conditions.
Common side effects associated with the use of synthetic hormones include:
- Blood clots
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Cancer
The Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) studies reported that women who used conventional (synthetic) hormone replacement therapy were faced with a higher risk of developing breast cancer and heart disease. Soon after the WHI findings were released to the public, many women began seeking out natural alternatives to conventional hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
Unlike synthetic hormones, bioidentical hormones are structural replicas of the body’s natural hormones. Since bioidentical hormones share an identical molecular structure to the hormones the body produces naturally, bioidentical hormone therapy is a safer and more effective method of treating symptoms of hormonal imbalance, without hormone therapy side effects.
BodyLogicMD affiliated practitioners only treat patients using quality, custom-compounded bioidentical hormones. Each bioidentical hormone therapy regimen is unique in the sense that each treatment plan is individually tailored to meet the specific needs of each patient.