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Female Sex Hormones Estrogen, Progesterone, Testosterone Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
Bio-identical hormones are used to balance premenopausal, perimenopausal, menopause and postmenopause processes in women. Although men and women both produce estrogen, progesterone and testosterone (and the precursors DHEA, androstenedione and pregnenolone), for practical reasons we will discuss them separate for each sex.
The two most important female hormones are Estrogens and Progesterone. These
hormones maintain a balance (agonistic and antagonistic) between them. The three
main estrogens are Estrone (E1), Estradiol (E2) and Estriol (E3). E2 is the strongest
estrogen produced by the ovary. Although mainly produced by the ovaries, the
peripheral conversion and activity of estrogen and progesterone (muscle, fat,
adrenal) plays a very important role in their metabolism, especially after menopause
or oophorectomy (surgical excision of ovaries). Estrogens are responsible for the
feminine shape of the female body, menstruation, vaginal lubrication, skin circulation.
Progesterone is responsible for preparing the uterus for pregnancy, size of breasts
(and estrogens).
With the progressive loss of eggs in the ovaries associated with age, women
experience several physiological changes: premenopausal, perimenopausal,
menopause and postmenopause, the production of female hormones decrease with
age. In women hormone decline starts around age 30.
Premenopausal refers to a woman who has healthy optimal hormone levels and is
still menstruating regularly.
Perimenopausal refers to a woman who has begun to have declining estradiol
and/or progesterone levels that result in erratic, inconsistent period with changing flow
patterns (may be heavy one month, lighter and shorter the next)
PMS refers to the cluster of physical and emotional changes occurring between
ovulation and menses. PMS may occur in both premenopausal and perimenopause
since women are still having their natural cycles.
Menopause is defined as cessation of menses and loss of the ovary cycles and, on
average occurs at about age fifty. Natural menopause is not considered to have
occurred until there has been no menstrual period for a full year.
Postmenopause refers to the years after the complete cessation of menses.
Deficiency of estrogens and progesterone produce hot flashes, droopy breasts,
vaginal dryness, painful intercourse, urinary incontinence, depression, poor libido,
weight gain. Progesterone deficency: produce a myriad of symptoms: anxiety,
insomnia, panic attacks, heavier bleeding, cysts (ovarian and breast), PMS, weight
gain, fibroids and bone loss. When these hormones become imbalanced, women
acquire an increased risk of heart attacks, strokes, cognitive decline, osteoporosis,
mood changes.
Laboratory tests and physical findings can document the deficiency, after which a
natural supplement can be used (natural estrogen enhancer) or prescription bio-
identical hormones ordered by a health care provider.
A proper enhancement or replacement of the female hormones can have a visible
impact in the symptoms of menopause or the changes associated with the natural
process of aging.
Although Testosterone is recognized mainly as a male hormone it is also produced in
women and plays important roles in a woman physiology. Produced mainly from other
precursors in the skin and fat tissues, it is also produced by the ovaries and adrenals.
Production declines with age and is responsible for depression, decreased libido,
diminished muscle tone. DHEA supplements can increase the levels of testosterone or
this hormone can also be replaced by prescription forms using oral, external (gel)
injectable and pellets.
Benefits of Hormone Replacement Therapy with Bio-Identical Hormones:
Hormone receptors for estrogen, progesterone and testosterone are present on the
cells of the heart, blood vessels, bone, nerves, muscles, skin and most cells in the
body.
Medical data shows that restoration of normal physiologic ratios of hormones is
beneficial in alleviating symptoms and more importantly degenerative disease.
The closer we mimic the normal physiologic ratios of hormones, the better the
prevention of disease.
- Cognitive Function: Normal levels and ratios of hormones protect us from
cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease. - Hormone replacement has a profound beneficial effect on mood, estrogen,
progesterone and testosterone receptors are all over the brain. Progesterone
replacement with bio-identical progesterone leads to marked reduction of
anxiety, insomnia and the need for medications. Estrogen causes normal
serotonin levels, preventing depression. - Cardiovascular Health: E2 improves vascular wave function, decreases
sympathetic outflow, prevents plaque formation, and decreases vascular
proliferation. Studies using transdermal E2 show that it decreases blood
pressure. Transdermal E2 is anti-thrombotic and decreases fibrinogen. All
these cardiovascular benefits follow the use of bio-identical E2, non-bio-
identical estrogens can have the opposite effect. - Clinical studies concluded that hormone replacement therapy reduces colon
cancer up to 34%. - Clinical studies support the use of bio-identical hormones for the prevention of
osteoporosis and bone fracture. 35% fracture reduction. - HRT also protects against loss of cartilage and osteoarthritis. Stimulates bone
formation. - Transdermal bio-identical estrogens mimic normal ratios better, they have
favorable anti-thrombotic and vascular effects - Bio-identical progesterone is anti-thrombotic and breast cancer protective. The
best strategy for prevention of breast cancer lies in restoring a protective
balance of hormones and nutrients and avoiding and removing toxins - Restoration of testosterone benefits sexual function.
- The use of estrogen through the vaginal route relieves vaginal dryness, vaginal
- relaxation, loss of urine, and recurrent urinary tract infections.
There are many patented bio-identical hormones that are FDA approved that have been used for many years.
Please call us for details.
