Menopause - Bio Indentical Hormones

When your hormones are in balance, you feel great — lots of energy, you sleep like a baby, your sex drive is strong, you look wonderful, and your immune and digestive systems function beautifully.

This is your body’s normal state. And with proper support you should feel that way from your 20’s through your 70’s — and even beyond.

Most of us put enormous demands on our body — so much more stress than it was designed to handle — and don’t give it adequate support.

As a result, for many, Menopause symptoms can be unbearable and interrupt your quality of life.
Dramatic results can be obtained with proper hormonal balance using bioidentical hormones and nutritional supplements.

What are the typical symptoms of hormonal imbalance?

Dysmenorrhea (cramps), PMS, infertlity/endometriosis, irregular menstrual periods, fibrocystic breasts, premenopausal symptoms, weight gain, mood swings, reduced libido, vaginal thinning, dryness, painful intercourse, hot flashes, night sweats, depression, poor concentration, memory lapses, insomina, disturbed sleep, arteriosclerosis and osteoporosis.

At Journey to Wellness, we help you take control of your health at any age.

What are bio-identical hormones?

Bio-identical hormones have a molecular structure that is identical to hormones that are naturally produced by the human body, and are intended to replace these hormones when their levels decline due to aging,, disease or surgery. In order for replacement hormones to fully replicate the function of hormones which were originally naturally produced and present in the human body, the chemical structures must match exactly. Synthetic non-bio-identical hormones have similar but not identical structures, so they are not the "perfect fit" for hormone replacement.

Researchers have long held that there are significant differences between hormones that are natural to humans (bio-identical) and synthetic (non-bio-identical) preparations. The structure of the hormone, not the source, is the key. The term "bio-identical" does not indicate the source of the hormone. Bio-identical hormones are processed from precursors found in yams or soy plants, yet they are identical to the hormones produced by the human body; hence the term "bio-identical plant-derived hormone." These hormones are able to follow normal metabolic pathways so that essential active metabolites are formed in response to hormone replacement therapy. Synthetic- "patented," "conventional," "artificial," or "horse" - hormones have been chemically altered , and are not identical in structure or activity to the naturally-occurring hormones they are intended to replace.

Most major studies have either failed to distinguish among types and dosages of HRT used in the study, or examined only the use of synthetic non-bio-identical hormones (as in the the case of the Women's Health Initiative). Side chains can be added to a natural substance to create a product that can be patented by a manufacturer and profitable to mass produce, and therefore a drug company can afford to fund research as to the use and effectiveness of synthetic non-bio-identical hormones. However, bio-identical substances can not be patented, so scientific studies are less numerous on natural hormones. Structural differences inherent to non-bio-identical hormones may be responsible for side-effects that are experienced when non-bio-identical hormones are used for replacement therapy.

Today's women prefer natural hormones. In a survey of a nationally representative sample of 1,009 women aged 40 and older, 83% said they would prefer to use hormones that are similar to their own body's hormones. Bio-identical hormones include estriol (E3), estradiol (E2), estrone (E1), progesterone, testosterone, DHEA and pregnenolone.

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