Can’t Find A Bioidentical Doctor?

What if you can’t find a bioidentical doctor? What if there is no compounding pharmacy in your area? What should you do if you are suffering from menopause symptoms and you don’t want to use synthetic hormones to treat your symptoms? I don’t blame you if you have decided not to use synthetic hormone therapy with all the bad side effects and the dangers to your health.

Speak with your regular doctor. If he or she does not know how to prescribe bioidentical hormones, you can still ask your doctor to do some hormone testing on you and get your results. Then ask your doctor for a prescription for either Estrace or Gynodiol and Prometrium. These are both non-compounded bioidentical hormones. Any pharmacy will be able to provide them for you. Prometrium is a form of non-compounded bioidentical progesterone. Estrace and Gynodiol are non-compounded bioidentical form of estradiol, an estrogen.

You will take estradiol as Estrace or Gynodiol twice a day and the Prometrium/progesterone twice a day. Though, my doctor has given me Estrace and told me to take the Estrace in the morning and to break up the Prometrium pill into two and take it both in the morning and the other half of the pill in the evening. He has told me to take it for three months consecutively, without a menstrual period. He is then going to take another hormone test to find out where my levels are. He said that after the third month I would take it cyclically so I can have a period which will help shed the lining of the uterus. Taking it cyclically means that I will take the Estrace from day one to day 14. On the 14th day, I am to add the Prometrium progesterone and on the 28th day, I will have a period. I’m then supposed to stop taking both for a period of one week.

You might ask why I am doing this? I was using bioidentical hormones, but was still plagued by hot flashes. My body doesn’t seem to absorb the bioidentical estrogen cream and one the week that I rested the body and didn’t take any hormones, I would immediately start getting very severe hot flashes again. So he is going to try me on the non-compounded bioidentical forms of estrogen and progesterone. We are going to see if this helps with my hormone levels. So I’ll let you know in about three months’ time how this new form of non-compounded bioidentical hormones works out.

So, my advice, if you don’t have a bioidentical doctor in your area and there is no compounding pharmacy either, and traveling out of State is too difficult, then ask your regular doctor about these non compounded bioidentical hormones. It might just work out well for you and you can get on with the job of living life to its fullest, in spite of menopause.

Is Hormone Replacement Therapy for You?

Each woman is different. Throughout your life, your unique hormone levels rise and fall throughout the month. Your hormone levels are different from every other woman and when you reach pre-menopause or menopause, your hormone requirements are different from everyone else’s.

What is surprising is that the pharmaceutical companies profited from their one size fits all prescription and were able to profit so greatly from menopause for decades. The one size fits all synthetic estrogen and progestins were successful only because of one thing: marketing. Because of their loss of sales, they have continued to wage a war against bioidentical hormones because they cannot profit from something that cannot be patented.

However, that all changed with the Women’s health Initiative (WHI) study of 16,608 women which was halted because of the dangers to women’s health from the use of synthetic estrogen and progestin which clearly demonstrated a 29 percent increase in heart attacks, a 41 percent increase in strokes, a 22 percent increase in cardiovascular disease, a double risk of blood clots and a 26 percent increase in the chance of getting breast cancer. In addition, it was found that treatment of synthetic estrogen alone increased the risk of mild brain damage, stroke and dementia. No wonder women are frightened by the mere mention of the word: hormone replacement therapy.

Only about 20 percent of women at the age of menopause suffer from severe menopause symptoms. For these women, not only will they have to improve their lifestyles dramatically in the way of health, but help is at hand with natural bioidentical hormones. For the other 80 percent of women, they may find relief in the way of nutritional supplements in addition to adopting a healthy lifestyle.

Bioidentical hormones are the safest option for women suffering from menopause problems. With bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, (BHRT), women will find relief from hot flashes, night sweats, weight gain around the waist, depression, sleep problems, mood and energy levels.

Bioidentical hormones are made from either soy or diosgenin (wild yam) plants and synthesized in a laboratory. These natural hormones are bio-identical (the same structure) to the hormones that are already in your body. A doctor will determine by way of a blood or saliva test, what hormones you need and how much you need in order to replace the diminished hormones in your body. A compounding pharmacist will make up your individual prescription. You will use these bioidentical hormones in the manner in which your doctor has prescribed. That is, you will take estrogen, progesterone, and perhaps testosterone in a cyclical manner, replicating the natural rise and fall of hormones in the body during the month.

Your doctor may also prescribe DHEA and Human Growth Hormone (HGH) if you require it. He will also test your thyroid levels to see if you need thyroid medication as many women experience hypothyroidism as they grow older. All hormones must be balanced in the body for you to experience a high quality of health. Taking natural hormone replacement therapy has many health benefits for your body and health. They also have anti aging benefits. Women who are not taking natural bioidentical hormones will gain more weight than women who use bioidentical hormones. Replacing all your lost hormones with natural bioidentical hormones will help you enjoy a higher quality of life as you age and let you get on with the more important task of living. Are bioidentical hormones right for you? Do the research and speak with your medical practitioner.

Hormones and Stress

Stress, as we already know, has a multitude of negative effects on the body. It can have long term negative health consequences for your body and it can also affect your hormone levels and how you experience menopause. High stress can cause the early onset of menopause and it can determine whether menopause symptoms during this time are severe or not.

Stress and other issues can affect how we experience menopause. Lifestyle issues can affect your menopause symptoms. Unhealthy diets, smoking, alcohol and unresolved problems can effect your symptoms. Life events, divorces, problems with your teenage children and even traveling can upset your hormone balance. You may experience weight gain for no reason or an increase in hot flashes. You may experience increased tiredness. All of these symptoms are because your hormone levels are decreasing and stress is blunting the positive effects of bioidentical hormones.

If you are using bioidentical hormones, you may find that your estrogen levels decrease because of stress. You may suddenly be gaining weight, even though you are eating carefully. Your bioidentical doctor can re-test your hormone levels and decide that you need an increase in your estrogen (estradiol) or progesterone cream until your symptoms have disappeared and a second hormone test shows that your levels have become more adequate.

Because of the negative effects of stress on your hormones, try to find ways to reduce your stress. Eating a careful, healthy diet will help. Quit smoking and stop drinking in excess. If you have unresolved life issues, try and work these problems through with the help of friends or relatives or a therapist. Add some yoga sessions to your daily life. Learn to meditate and breathe deeply. Center yourself. Think positive thoughts and visualize your life without these problems. These are all ways that you can reduce the stress in your life, balance your hormones and be healthier. All of these things will affect how you experience menopause.

Menopause is no easy ride. It takes strength and health to manage this passage of life. However, it is a time of new beginnings and change and can be a positive force in your life.

About Bioidentical Hormones

Bioidentical hormones are essentially hormones which are very similar in structure and activity to the natural sex hormones produced by the body. The two common bioidentical hormones are estrogen and progesterone. Bioidentical simple means that these hormones are naturally occurring and not synthetic. All bioidentical hormones are derived from plant sources. Over the years, various plants like the Yam have been known to contain high amounts of these bioidentical hormones which are then synthesized in a lab.


Natural bioidentical hormones have been widely used in Europe and South America by women to treat both menopause and causes of ovarian failure. In North America, bioidentical hormones have just caught on. One of the chief reasons why bio identical hormones are preferred by women is that they are natural and do not contain any synthetic preservatives or additives. Unlike synthetic hormones, bioidentical hormones have a lesser chance of side effects.


Most people believe that bioidentical hormones are only used by females- while this was true years ago, it is not true today. Middle aged men also take bioidentical hormones. Of course, the bio-identical hormone men take is not estrogen but testosterone and progesterone. Why do men take bioidentical hormones? Men reach the 40s and often find that they are getting tired, are unable to sleep, feel depressed and have no energy. Many other men find that they have lost an interest in sex and have no libido. Unlike women, men do not have a true menopause but certainly do develop very similar physical and emotional effects because of the decline in testosterone levels. This is known as andropause. Synthetic testosterone formulations are often prescribed by health care workers for some men to improve these side effects. But why should one take synthetic chemical hormones when one can take natural bioidentical hormones?


Bioidentical hormones have identical actions to either testosterone, progesterone or estrogen. Bioidentical hormones are available in various formulations- such as tablets, capsules, gels, creams, and even injections. The topical preparations of natural bioidentical hormones are useful because they avoid the system side effects like formation of blood clots and bloating which come from chemical hormones.


All consumers should understand that just because they take bio identical hormones does not mean that they will not have side effects. All hormones have side effects but one can decrease the risk by taking prescribed dosages for a short time. In addition, it is essential to get the levels of hormones measured in saliva or blood tests to ensure that the therapy is working.


When taking bioidentical hormones like testosterone, men should notice an improvement in their feelings of wellbeing and health. One of the greatest benefits of bioidentical testosterone therapy is that it can restore libido.


To date, bio identical hormone therapy is used to treat symptoms of menopause or andropause. Individuals can easily get levels of these hormones measured in the saliva or by blood test, and depending on the degree of deficiency; a formulation of bioidentical hormones can be made. The majority of bioidentical hormones are compounded or mixed to provide an individualized therapy.


One of the problems with bioidentical hormone therapy is that not all physicians have enough knowledge about hormones needs for aging men and women to prescribe it. The chief reason for this is ignorance about the hormones is that medical school does not provide a great deal of information to doctors about menopause and andropause.. So the most difficult part of bio-identical hormones therapy is to find a physician and a compounding pharmacy to make up the prescribed formulations. There is some controversy regarding compounding of these hormones but the hormones themselves are not banned by the FDA.


Before one buys bio-identical hormones, it is essential to discuss the matter with a health care physician. In the last few years, many professionals have gotten involved in bioidentical hormone therapy. Cyberspace is inundated with everyone trying to sell bioidentical hormones. Remember, there have been a few cases of fake and counterfeit hormones. So never buy these bioidentical hormones from the internet. Talk to friends, colleague or a health care professional. Ask questions and if in doubt, get a second opinion. While the hormones may be cheap, the quality and the quantity can never be verified.


While the cost of a real bioidentical hormone from a reputable pharmacy in North America may be slightly expensive (about $50 a month) you can rest assured that the hormone is not only safe, will remove your menopausal symptoms, and help balance your hormones.

Welcome to the Blog about Bioidentical Hormones

Bioidentical Hormones/Biomimetic Hormones

Men and women are now realizing that there are safer options to choose for their menopause and andropause symptoms. Synthetic hormones cause lots of health issues over time such as heart attack and stroke. Natural bioidentical hormones from plant extracts treat your symptoms and are safe to use.

Bioidentical hormones have been used in Europe for over 50 years. Women and men in North America are demanding the rights to use bioidentical hormones as well. Many doctors in the United States and Canada are now starting to provide their patients with natural remedies to naturally occurring events and illnesses in their lives.

Bio-identical hormones are also known as biomimetic hormones because they are used in a biomimetic fashion to replicate the naturally occuring biomimetic rhythms in our bodies. Women are using natural progesterone, estrogen and testosterone to treat the symptoms of menopause and premenopause. Men are using testosterone and progesterone to increase their feelings of well-being and health as they age.

I hope to provide you with all the information you need to make healthy choices to solve your problems and lead a healthier life with a greater sense of wellbeing as you age. Welcome!