A Brief History of Bio-Identical Hormones

A Brief History of HRT and Bio-Identical Hormones

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is the replacement of hormones as a form of therapy for some condition. For the last 60 years, HRT referred only to synthetic hormones given to menopausal women. The original concept of HRT was to keep women feeling young and feminine.

The first brand of HRT in the United States, Premarin contained only equine (horse) estrogens. This caused great concern in the 1950’s due to increasing rates of uterine cancer and finally led the drug company many years later to create Prempro by adding a synthetic hormone, Progestin. Over time, doctors were taught that HRT for women going through menopause helped their symptoms of hot flashes, mood swings, insomnia, and weight gain. And for millions, it did.

However, in the late 1990’s some women were questioning the use of HRT...

"Did all women need it?" and..
"Why were all women put on the same dose?"

Then in 2002, the results of a large women's study, the WHI (Women's Health Initiative Study) began looking at the effects of HRT, namely Premarin and Prempro- neither of which are bio-identical hormone forms. Their findings took the medical community by surprise:

"Non bio-identical HRT and synthetic hormones did NOT lower a woman's chance of getting heart disease,
Instead it caused definite increases in her risks for getting blood clots, strokes and breast cancer."

As a result, millions of women stopped their HRT with the 2002 release of the WHI findings and began seeking alternatives for their menopausal symptoms. Many such women found that as soon as they quit their HRT, their menopausal symptoms came rushing back. This was terribly discouraging for the women struggling to deal with symptoms but terrified of the health risks from synthetic forms of replacement hormones. All the while, pharmaceutical companies argued that there simply weren't good alternatives to HRT.

Bio-Identical Hormones

Bio-identical hormones are seen by many women as a superior form of HRT. These are female hormones (estrogen, progesterone and testosterone) normally made by our endocrine glands that begin to decline as the ovaries stop releasing eggs.

"Bio-identical" simply means that the biochemical structure of these hormones are perfectly identical to the hormones produced in a woman’s body. These bio-identical hormones do not contain equine (horse) estrogen or synthetic hormones and are identical, if not very close to the hormones a woman’s body actually produces. True bio-identical hormone replacement therapy also involves a compounding pharmacist that will customizes the ideal dose fora woman's needs after her physician measures their actual hormone levels. "Now doesn't this make more sense to you?" Custom fit for each woman's unique needs, and not a one size fits all fix.

You may be thinking, "Why did it take so long for bio-identical hormones to gain acceptance in the medical community?"

The answers are not always pleasant, but these are the facts, The pharmaceutical companies that actually developed these synthetic estrogens and progestins can patent these drugs for HUGE profits becauseof the fact that they synthetic and a totally unique molecule. This is how medications get patents and can become "brands". Buit for profits, and not always for health benefits.

They were hoping that those small changes made to estrogens or progesterone molecules would have little side effects on a woman. ...Wrong! Today we know that this is simply just not true.

For example, the birth control pills are synthetic forms of estrogens and progestins and any woman who has taken them will tell you that she reacts differently to each different brand. Some women cannot tolerate them at all.

The Youthful Aging Center uses bio-identical hormone replacement therapy (HRT) individually taliored to help treat the symptoms and problems associated with hormone deficiencies in premenopausal & menopausal women.

The Benefits of Bio-Identical Hormones

With HRT women can alleviate many of their unwanted menopausal symptoms, but HRT can also do the following:

Enhance the immune system
Improve memory & cognitive function
Increase sexual energy
Improve skin tone & texture
Increase muscle mass while reducing body fat
Increase energy levels
Look and feel years younger
Extend life

Call us today and get an appointment for testing. We will custom design the perfect fit designed around your needs- safely. We are listening. Call Us Toll Free 866-For-Health

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