I want to start this episode with the bare and honest facts. Women should be afraid of and not use SYNTHETIC hormones. Not even for the shortest amount of time and at the lowest possible strength. This is the most current recommendation from the American Menopause Society. It is our opinion that these synthetic look alike hormones should be banned altogether.
First let’s understand the difference between Synthetic and BioIdentical Hormones.
1. Synthetic Hormones (also known as HRT) are made from artificial and natural substances.
2. BioIdentical Hormones are made from purely natural substances, primarily soy and yam.
COMPARE THE CHEMICAL STRUCTURES BELOW:
Synthetic Structure Natural Human Structure
Ethinyl Estradiol (Synthetic) Natural Estradiol (Estrogen)
The difference is minor, but it makes all the difference in the world to the safety and effectiveness for women while treating Menopause.
The traditional approach to treating Menopause, using synthetic hormones, has undergone extensive medical studies in the U.S., such as the Woman’s Health Initiative of 2002, (and many others) only to find that this therapy is dangerous as well as ineffective. The 2002 study was so poorly designed that the results have caused many interpretations of the data that are confusing and in conflict with each other. The World Health Organization (WHO), in 2005, published an extensive monograph declaring Synthetic Estrogen and Synthetic Progesterone as well as Synthetic birth control as definitely carcinogenic! This conclusion by the WHO was made after examining thousands upon thousands of written studies, opinions, and papers about Synthetic HRT. Despite this overpowering evidence against Synthetic Hormones, and virtual lack of evidence against Natural Hormone Therapy, Family Practitioners, OB/GYN Physicians, etc., keep prescribing the synthetic hormones as if it were aspirin.
Conventional medicine and the FDA have called BHRT unscientific with claims that not enough study has been performed to prove its safety and efficacy. The little known reality is that numerous qualified studies have been performed in Europe and other countries validating the safety and effectiveness of Natural Hormone Replacement.
It is quite clear to us who utilize natural hormone replenishment that it is quite safe and is the most effective method to treat Menopause. It is also quite clear that the difference between SYNTHETIC HORMONES and NATURAL HORMONES needs to be made very clear. This is THE most important fact of all. Just answer this one important question. Why would we want to put artificial chemicals in our bodies when natural substances are available and work effectively and safely?
WHY?
Terry R. Leder B.A.
Clinical Manager & Research
Pointe Medical Services/Live Well MD
[…] andropause a serious enough syndrome to warrant treatment. If they do, they will only cover synthetic replacement as they are FDA approved. While symptomatic menopause has been recognized for some time, again […]