South Sound Healers Network

by Molly Brignall, ND

A certain celebrity has been in the news recently touting bio-identical hormone replacement therapy. She has been making fountain-of-youth claims much to the chagrin of the medical community. This has fueled a controversy surrounding hormone replacement therapy that began a few years ago. Large clinical trials studying certain conventional hormone replacement therapies ended abruptly because a correlation was shown between the hormones and breast cancer, heart attacks, blood clots, and stroke. Because of these studies, women are seeking alternative therapies.

So, what are bio-identical hormones and how are they different from other hormones? Hormone replacement therapy is mainly prescribed for women with peri-menopausal symptoms including hot flashes, nightsweats, mood swings, and abnormal bleeding. Bio-identical hormones, estrogen and progesterone in particular, are physiologically identical to our own hormones. Conventional hormones are not and tend to be stronger. Bio-identical hormones are customizable through a compounding pharmacy. This means that the prescription dose can be modified for each individual at specialized pharmacies. Conventional hormones are prescribed at standardized doses. Bio-identical hormones are synthesized from plants. Some conventional hormones are animal or plant derived. Many bio-identical hormones have no fillers, chemicals, or dyes. Some come in different forms, such as: creams, capsules, and drops.

Even though intuitively bio-identical hormones seem like a better choice, are they? The answer is: no one knows. There are many questions that are unanswered. For example, are the bio-identical hormones safer or more efficacious than the synthetic versions? Are hormones safe to use for short periods of time—like to get through the peri-menopausal time only? Are they safe to use if there is a strong family history of breast cancer or heart disease?

I have to assume that all forms of hormone replacement therapy can potentially carry the same risks and have the same contraindications until proven otherwise. Risks of hormone use include heart disease, stroke, breast cancer, endometrial cancer, and increased triglycerides. Some potential contraindications include breast cancer, endometrial cancer, coronary artery disease, thrombosis, liver disease, and unexplained vaginal bleeding.

On the other hand, there are benefits to taking hormones besides relief of peri-menopausal symptoms. There is potential for fracture prevention, colon cancer prevention, improvement in sleep disturbances and pain, lowering of “bad” cholesterol, LDL, and an increase in “good” cholesterol, HDL. Therefore, when talking to your health care practitioner, the benefits and the risks must be evaluated.

Fortunately, there are other options for treatment of peri-menopausal symptoms. Dietary changes, supplements, and herbs have all shown benefit. Unlike hormone replacement therapy, these treatment options have low risk of adverse effects.

If you are suffering from peri-menopausal symptoms, bio-identical hormone replacement therapy may be an option for you. But remember, no one knows how safe bio-identical hormones really are. You and your health care provider can discuss different treatment options and decide which the best fit is for you.