Bio Identicals — what on earth are these you might ask — the name refers to hormone preparations which very closely resemble the naturally occurring hormones oestrogen and progesterone.
One of the main misconceptions is that they are 'better' for you than the regulated Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) however ...
They are made by compounding pharmacies, (pharmacies that prepare personalised medications for patients), the main problem with them being that they're not standardised or government approved in terms of content, dose and balance between the hormones estrogen and progesterone in comparison to approved HRT preparations.
Why would this be a problem? It means that the amounts and balance between estrogen and progesterone are not provided in safe forms, which in turn, means that the stimulating effect estrogen has on the endometrium (lining of the uterus) may not be balanced by the progesterone provided...the whole reason for taking the progesterone is to protect the endometrial lining...not much point if not in the right amounts!
Compounding pharmacies may recommend saliva tests and blood tests to determine hormone requirements - these can be expensive and can prove inconclusive for the majority of women. There are some situations when measuring hormone levels by using blood tests may be useful but saliva levels are of no benefit and blood tests are rarely useful or required.
So the message from the powers that be …. if you find that your menopause symptoms require medical intervention then stick to HRT rather than going down the unpredictable bio-identical route.....
On a lighter note, a reminder to do your pelvic floors...I bet you're pulling up as you read this – don't forget to do pulse ones as well as the ones when you hold for the count of 10. Lift and squeeze being the two most important words...highly recommend downloading the Squeezy App...your pelvic floor will love you, which in turn you will realise is hugely beneficial!
Useful articles on Bio-Identicals:
Menopause Doctor: https://tinyurl.com/awsctkme
Menopause Matters : http://wwwmenopausematters.blogspot.co.uk/2017/01/bio-identicals.html
Any information is as accurate as possible at time of writing and is for information purposes only. The information and support that Let's Talk Menopause provides is for your own personal use. It is not intended to replace or substitute the judgement of any medical professional you may come in contact with. You should always seek advice from your healthcare professional regarding any medical condition.
