Hormones Sweet Hormones

Our hormones are the chemical messengers of an inspiringly intricate communication system within the body. In many cases these hormones are effective in performing their various “jobs.” Some men and women are able to live flourishing, healthy lives by diligently engaging in diet, vitamin and mineral supplementation, and exercise programs. However, some of us experience that despite our attentive efforts to age gracefully, hormones can drop to uncomfortable, unbalanced levels. The distressing symptoms associated with menopause are a perfect example of this. These symptoms often go ignored by health professionals who label them as unavoidable, but there is much reason to speculate that ignoring these hormone-related symptoms is unwise in our fight against disease. Some studies link hormone imbalance to the onset of many diseases and even some types of cancer, including breast cancer. An assessment of symptoms is currently considered by the North American Menopause Society to be the best way to monitor the body’s balance of hormones, so we should feel comfortable discussing our symptoms openly with our doctor.

We should also become familiar with all options relative to hormone treatment. “Natural” or bioidentical hormones (BH) are obtained from plants and changed in a laboratory setting to be identical in molecular structure to the hormones our bodies produce on their own. This is one of the many reasons why anti-aging physicians choose to use this type of hormone when prescribing hormone replacement therapy. Our bodies are able to metabolize them naturally because their chemical structure is not foreign. In other words, the body knows what to do with them. It makes sense that BH are the hormones of choice for many people, as the benefits of their use are more likely to outweigh the risks associated with hormone therapy. Many bioidentical hormones are FDA approved and are manufactured by the same pharmaceutical companies which produce other hormones and drugs. It is extremely important, however, that bioidentical hormones be prescribed properly and taken exactly as prescribed. Although symptoms of hormone deficiency are the most important element of establishing a need for HRT, Initial blood tests should be used to establish a base-line hormone level that can be used as a reference should any concerns later arise.

All forms of HRT can carry health risks. However, numerous important studies have done a great deal to ease fears about the risk of HRT in relation to breast cancer. The International Journal of Cancer published the Fournier Study in 2005. In his study Dr. Agnes Fournier and his team followed 54,000 women taking bioidentical estrogen along with either bioidentical progesterone or a synthetic version, progestin. This study showed the risk for breast cancer to increase by 40 percent for women who were taking the progestin and the risk to decrease by 10 percent for women who were taking the bioidentical progesterone. In 2007 a follow-up on this study involving over 80,000 women was published in Breast Cancer Research and Treatment. Again, those on a regimen of bioidentical estrogen and progesterone did not experience an increased risk of breast cancer, while those on a regimen including artificial progestin had an increase in breast cancer risk of 69 percent. More extensions of this study are drawing the same conclusion, and some research even suggests a higher life-long level of progesterone to be a protection against cancer. This is why it is imperative that we develop a solid relationship with our physician and that he or she be well-informed on all aspects of HRT, including the chemical structures of our naturally occurring hormones, the modes of delivery available today, and the current relative research.

The 2002 Women’s Health Initiative revealed the risks associated with a one-size-fits-all approach to hormone replacement therapy. It simply does not make sense that all women need the same treatment when it comes to something as delicate and personal as hormones. Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) can be tailored to fit our individual needs. Personalized needs for dosage, hormone combination/ratio, and modes of delivery can make necessary the use of compounding pharmacies. With this type of pharmacy available, both pharmacist and physician are able to work together to establish personalized methods of BHRT to meet the needs of all individuals.

May we all find the courage to achieve optimal health and satisfy our desires to live a fully alive and vibrant life by finding out more about our options and individual hormone needs.