Bioidentical Hormone Replacement

Bioidentical hormones are defined as biologically identical to what the human body manufactures. Their molecular structure is exactly the same as the molecular structure of hormones made by the body. They come from plant sources such as soy, wild yam and other plant extracts and are synthesized in a lab to replicate the hormones in the body.

Bioidentical hormones have been used in Europe for over 50 years. They are not chemical synthetic drugs like Premarin which is made from a pregnant mare's urine and then prescribed in a one dose fits all regimen. Premarin will leave you with symptoms of bloating, low libido, brittle bones and depression, not to mention the serious consequences of heart attack, stroke and breast cancer. The big and powerful pharmaceutical companies have no interest in bioidentical hormones because they are not able to patent them and churn out big profits. Instead, the big pharmaceutical companies have pushed their synthetic hormones onto women, chemicals which are dangerous to women's health (Women's Health Initiative, 2002).

It is sometimes difficult depending on where you live to find a doctor who is able to prescribe bioidentical hormones and who will be able to monitor your hormone levels and your progress. An excellent source for locating these doctors is a bioidentical hormones compounding pharmacy. Your bioidentical hormones will be made up into a mixture in the compounding pharmacy.

On your first visit, you doctor will either prescribe a combination of estrogen, progesterone and perhaps testosterone or progesterone alone, depending on your symptoms and then see how your symptoms are in a couple of months. Or the doctor may test your hormone levels and then give you a natural bioidentical hormone prescription to solve your symptoms. You will take these cyclically to mimic your natural cycle before the onset of these symptoms. Hormone testing can be done either by a blood test or a saliva test. A saliva test is more accurate in measuring your hormones.

T.K. Robb is a freelance writer and researcher specializing in anti-aging, health and wellness issues. She writes product and service reviews for various companies in the health and wellness industry. When not writing, she travels all over the world and pursues her hobbies of photography, the internet and then, again, some more writing.