Synthetic hormones are synthesized in a lab and are 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. Symptoms such as these are typically due to declining estrogen levels. The body recognizes that these synthetic hormones are foreign toxins and cannot metabolize their chemical make-up. This oftentimes 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 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 traditional hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
Unlike synthetic hormones, bioidentical hormones, or natural hormones, are replicas of the body’s own 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 physicians only treat patients using quality, custom-compounded bioidentical hormones. Each bioidentical hormone therapy regimen is unique in the sense that they’re individually tailored to meet the specific needs of each patient.