You need hormones, but you need the correct kind, the natural bio-identical hormones, in the correct balance. Don't tolerate the risks of the synthetic hormones when a safer alternative is available. Find a physician who will prescribe bio-identical hormones and then make the switch.

Answer: Talk with your healthcare provider about your individual risk profile and hormones you are taking in light of the WHI results.

Natural hormones means that these hormones are chemically the same as the ones the human body produces. They are also called "bio-identical". Synthetic hormones refer to those manufactured with a chemical structure that is foreign to the human body but mimics some hormonal activity. An example of natural hormones would be Estriol, Progesterone, Testosterone, and DHEA. An example of synthetic hormones would be Premarin, Prempro, Climara, Estratest, Estratab, and all birth control pills.

Contact us and we can calculate an equivalent dose of Bioidentical hormones compared to what you are currently taking. Then you need to get a prescription for your new hormones.

Doctors often recommended hormone replacement therapy (either estrogen alone or in combination with progestin) to relieve menopause symptoms. Doctors also prescribed hormone replacement therapy to prevent long-term conditions such as osteoporosis and heart disease.

Answer: Talk with your healthcare provider about your individual risk profile and the hormones you are currently taking in light of the WHI results.

Synthetic hormones are made from substances that are not natural in the human body. For example, Premarin is made from a pregnant mare's urine. It is important to note that a study on synthetics by Women's Health Initiative of the National Institute of Health was prematurely halted due to deleterious long-term effects on women's health, specifically breast cancer, blood clots, and stroke. Natural

The term "natural" hormones simply means that these hormones are chemically the same as the ones the human body produces. They are also called "bio-identical" or "human iso-molecular." "Synthetic" hormones refers to those manufactured with a chemical structure that is foreign to the human body but mimics some hormonal activity. An example of natural hormones would be Estriol, Biest, Triest, Progesterone, Testosterone, and DHEA.

In wake of the WHI results finding a greater risk then benefit with "synthetic" hormone replacement therapy (HRT), there is a lot of talk about "natural" hormone replacement (NHRT). However, the term "natural" can be confusing when used in connection with hormones. When we say a hormone is "natural," we are referring to the structure of the hormone. However, the definition of "natural" has different meanings to different people.

According to physicians who use natural progesterone in their practices, the instructions are as follows: st Month: Use cr?me as directed. Take synthetic estrogen pill every other day or cut estrogen patch in half. nd Month: Use cr?me as directed. Take synthetic estrogen pill every third day or cut estrogen patch in quarters rd Month: Use cr?me as directed. Take synthetic estrogen pill every fourth day. If using the patch, go totally off it.

When first developed, synthetic hormones were well received because they provided some of the benefits of hormonal replacement: controlling the symptoms of menopause and fighting osteoporosis. However the long-term results have shown that synthetic hormones often elicit a negative metabolic response. Some women can't tolerate synthetic hormones, often suffering with side effects such as bloating, bleeding or mood swings.

Bio-Identical Hormones can not be assumed to be safer or more dangerous than synthetic hormones until further long term studies are complete. However, synthetic estrogens and progestins do carry documented risks. These risks were most recently outlined in the Women's Health Initiative Study. Physicians working with Bio-Identical Hormones rely mostly on well established knowledge of human physiology and the endocrine system.

Natural hormone replacement refers to the use of hormone supplements that are bio-identical to those that are naturally produced by our own endocrine glands. Synthetic hormones are the results of pharmaceutical "tampering" with the molecular structure of the natural hormones. These synthetic derivatives are patentable by the pharmaceutical manufacturers, while naturally occurring hormones are not.

Natural hormones are simply an alternative to hormone replacement therapy. Synthetic progesterone (known as progestins) has many side effects, and synthetic estrogen can be dangerous to your health, especially if taken without any progesterone. If someone is taking both synthetic estrogen and progestins, a gradual step is to substitute natural progesterone cream; and gradually reduce the synthetic estrogen. (Reduce estrogen by one-half and continue to reduce over 90 days until discontinued use).

We suggest you continue your present regimen until your doctor says it's OK to stop. We do not recommend combining Olivia's Secret with prescription HRT.

Natural hormones are simply an alternative to hormone replacement therapy. Synthetic progesterone (known as progestins) has many side effects, and synthetic estrogen can be dangerous to your health, especially if taken without progesterone. If someone is taking both a synthetic estrogen and progestins, a gradual step may be to back off on the synthetic estrogen (reduce estrogen by one-half and continue to reduce over 90 days until you've discontinued use).

Unfortunately, no. Because our products stimulate your body’s production of hormones through the use of phytoestrogens, it has a limit as to how much feminization it will incur. When on a cross-sex hormone treatment program you are given incredibly high doses of human estrogen which can generate a high risk of pain and other difficult side effects. This does not happen with Femax.

Synthetic hormones are typically manufactured by drug companies. Premarin is one such hormone. They are called synthetic as it is structurally different from what your body normally produces. A more natural form of estrogen, one that is chemically similar to what your body normally produces, can be made for you by a "compounding pharmacist" with the prescription by your doctor. Many believe that natural hormones are superior with fewer side effects.

A general answer to this question is that you should know as much as possible. Hormones are powerful drugs, and have potentially serious side effects. This is why it's such a good idea to work through an endocrinologist when starting on hormones; he will check your medical history and your general health, and will work with you to monitor your progress while maintaining your physical safety. I strongly recommend doing some background reading before you visit the doctor.

Some herbal products contain or mimic hormones, and some people feel that this is a viable alternative to going through the medical profession. I don't recommend this approach for the following reasons: Hormones carry sufficient health risks that medical monitoring is a very good idea. Along with the general concern about side effects, medical monitoring is important to establish a correct dosage.

No. Some herbs contain phyto-oestrogens (plant-steroids), but these are not the same as human hormones. Sometimes we may use a homeopathic called progesteronum to encourage the body to produce more progesterone, but this is only done on a case by case scenario if necessary. Your therapist will communicate with you and let you know if they feel this is appropriate. Because it is a homeopathic preparation this is thousands of times less concentrated than any synthetic medication you would take.

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So far, there aren't many good studies to guide you. You and your physician will have to discuss whether it's better for you to go "cold turkey" and simply stop taking hormones one day, or whether you might benefit from a more gradual approach. Not all women can comfortably quit using hormone therapy. Some women experience heavy vaginal bleeding for several days after they stop taking hormones. Hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms may return, too, especially if you stop abruptly.