Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) vs. Synthetic HRT – Update

When it comes to the subject of hormone replacement therapy (HRT), Age Management Panama's first concern is always the well-being of our patients. In fact, before making any recommendations, we always ask ourselves one important question: "Based on the available information, is this the same advice that we would give to our mother, wife, daughter or sister?" This one simple question is what ultimately defines our practice and, in doing that, the type of care that we provide to our patients. Several major media sites have recently released various articles that contain new information regarding the popular synthetic hormones Provera (Prempro) and Premarin. These articles discuss the fact that, during a U.S. Government Study, specifically The Women's Health Initiative of 2002, it was found that the risk of breast cancer and cardiovascular events far outweigh the benefits of using these synthetic hormones. With that being said, there are several issues that we, at Age Management Panama, would like for you to consider. (more)

Since our inception in 2007, Age Management Panama has cautioned against using these synthetic hormones. In fact, we have taken hundreds of women off of these synthetic hormones and, instead, implemented natural hormone replacement therapy. Natural HRT, often called Bioidentical HRT, entails the utilization of Bioidentical hormones instead of synthetic hormones. The fantastic benefit of Bioidentical HRT is that it provides benefits for the male who is experiencing what is called Andropause, considered to be the male form of menopause, as well. Bioidentical HRT has been proven to increase the libido, mental sharpness, and energy level, muscle mass and overall metabolism of those individuals that use this type of therapy.

There are several world renowned women who are currently utilizing Bioidentical hormone therapy as a means of combating the effects of menopause. Oprah Winfrey, for example, made mention of this form of therapy in the February 2009 issue of O, The Oprah Magazine; stating that, "(After three days) my memory was sharper. I was literally singing and had a skip in my step."

Yet another highly recognized woman, Suzanne Somers, has also chosen this treatment to help her through the struggles of menopause. Somers smiled on the October 10, 2006 edition of the Today Show as she talked about how she's such a great person to live with now, due to Bioidentical hormone therapy.

As Bioidentical HRT is still relatively young, many are unaware of the difference between the Bioidentical hormone and the synthetic hormone.

To explain, the synthetic hormone is one which does not occur naturally in the body, while the Bioidentical hormone's molecular structure is identical to the molecular structure of the naturally occurring hormone in the body. Now, this does not mean that the Bioidentical hormone is naturally occurring. In fact, it is the opposite. Bioidentical hormones are medications that are formed by drug companies or compounding pharmacies, yet these medications are created to have an identical molecular structure to that of the body's own hormone. It is important to note that only the Bioidenticals created by the drug companies are FDA approved.

We have found that the Bioidentical hormones are not only more easily accepted by the body, but they also have a lower incidence of risk in both indirect and preliminary findings. Synthetic HRT, on the other hand, has been deeply researched and has been proven to have dangerous risks associated with its use, such as cardiovascular disease and breast cancer. In order to combat against cardiovascular risks, Age Management Panama has always strongly recommended that our female patients include the following supplements in their diet and daily regimen:

Co-Q10

Gingko Biloba

Vitamin E

Baby aspirin

Fish and Flaxseed Oil

Also, in an attempt to curb the risk for breast cancer, we recommend that our female patients include Indole-3 Carbinol, which is a nutrient that has been heavily studied and proven to heavily reduce the risk for breast cancer.

With use of the proper supplements during Bioidentical HRT, the chances of any adverse side effects occurring are greatly reduced. It is important to note; however, that Bioidentical HRT is still relatively young in its use and that extended clinical trials have not yet been conducted in order to document any long term effects. However, the majority of the doctors that have extensively studied and currently practice Age Management therapies tend to agree that Bioidentical HRT is a form of hormone replacement therapy that's efficacy currently seems to be able to withstand throughout years of continued use without the risk of increasing any adverse reactions in the body. This long term use is something that synthetic hormones do not provide an option for.

Age Management Panama currently treats several patients using Bioidentical HRT and the majority of patients have reported amazing findings throughout the course of their treatments. Such reports include a heightened sense of well-being, increased muscle mass, decreased body fat, more energy, an increase in libido, a clearer mind and an overall feeling of youth and vitality that seemed to have once been lost long ago. For more information regarding Bioidentical HRT, we recommend that you set up a consultation with one of the doctors at Age Management Panama to find out if this type of therapy is right for you.