Article: HRT: Why You Should Use a Natural or Bio-Identical Hormone Regimen

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Article: HRT: Why You Should Use a Natural or Bio-Identical Hormone Regimen
By Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D.

Bellevue Pharmacy Solutions

The hormone supplementation that I have been recommending for the past 15 to 20 years uses human bio-identical hormones only. In every tissue of the body there are receptors that respond to estrogen and androgen to protect against conditions and diseases associated with hormone deficiency. When women are treated for menopause, they should not be treated equally, and get the same dose regimen. Rather, they should be treated in much the same way a physician would treat a thyroid or diabetes patient, that is to tailor the dose to fit each patient individually. Typically, a physician would do a complete clinical history work up for symptoms, as well as measuring the levels of the hormones with saliva, blood or urine testing. This is the only way it can be determined if the patient is getting too little, too much, or the correct amount of hormones. This testing should be done with each patient on a regular basis and adjustments of the hormone doses should be made as necessary.

If this process of individualizing therapy followed by close monitoring is followed, then hormone therapy is safe when indicated. If indicated, women should start with a low dosage in early menopause, and reevaluate periodically. The preference of estrogen is generally estradiol or a combination of estradiol and estriol, also known as "biest". These hormones can be measured reliably in saliva or blood. The lowest dose that is effective for any one patient is the safest dose.

Progesterone is commonly used to help balance the system, and protects the lining of the uterus, also known as the endometrium. Progesterone is preferred in a micronized form. Testosterone can help with libido enhancement, mild depression, bone growth, fatigue, and is usually used sublingually or topically.