About Your Hormones
Your Hormones
Estrogens and Progesterone are the 2 most important female hormones (although the 'male' hormone- testosterone- is also important). All 3 are closely related chemically. Other related structures include vitamin D (actually a prohormone) and pregnenolone. Estradiol is the most important estrogen.
All sex hormones- estrogen, progesterone,, and testosterone peak near age 20 and then decrease with age. The sex hormones are vitally important for the normal function of your body, in every organ.
About Bioidentical Hormones
Where do Bioidentical Hormones Come From and How to Use?
Bioidentical hormones are lab-produced hormones derived from plants, and in most cases, yams or soy. They are chemically identical to those the human body produces. Estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone are among those most commonly replicated and used in treatment. Bioidentical hormones come in various forms, including:
- pills
- patches
- creams- yes!
- gels
- vaginal suppositories
- injections
- pellets
wrinkles. The benefits of hormone replacement seem to be best when started early.
About HRT hormonal Cosmetic Cream
Is Hormonal Cosmetic Cream Right for You?
Hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) is most often used by people experiencing a reduction in hormone levels due to perimenopause or menopause. It’s used to increase the levels of the hormones that have dropped and improve moderate to severe menopause symptoms, including:
- hot flashes
- night sweats
- mood changes
- memory problems 'brain fog'
- weight gain
- sleep issues
- reduced interest in sex or pain during sex
In addition to helping with symptoms of menopause, hormone therapy may also reduce your risk for diabetes, dementia, heart disease (when started before age 60), osteoporosis and cataracts. It also helps improve skin thickness, hydration, and elasticity, and even reduce wrinkles. The benefits of hormone replacement seem to be best when started early.
hormonal treatment Improves Your Skin
Topical Hormone Cream Improves Your Skin!
Natural hormones help build more collagen, elasticity, hydration, and and even reduce wrinkles. One study found that after topical (applied to the skin) use of estrogen in postmenopausal women, the amount of collagen significantly increased after 16 weeks of treatment even when the blood estrogen levels did not increase. In another study, after treatment for 6 months, elasticity and firmness of the skin had markedly improved and the wrinkle depth and pore sizes had decreased.. Furthermore, skin moisture increased and significantly decreased of wrinkle depth. A further study found that hormonal treatment showed significant improvement in reversing markers of skin aging. Realize you won't see the benefits the first day. The real benefits of hormonal cosmetic creams will seen with daily use in a few months.
Our hormonal cosmetic creams combine bioidentical hormones with high quality cosmetic ingredients that are affordable and convenient for all women without expensive testing and without the need for a prescription.* You don't even need to apply it to your face to get benefits to your skin everywhere. Applying the cream to areas of thinner skin, like your inner arms or inner thighs, actually helps your skin everywhere...including your face.
Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2007 Feb;130(2):202-5.
Int J Dermatol 1996 Sep;35(9):669-74. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-4362.1996.tb03701.
Clinical Trial Cutis 2003 Jun;71(6):481-8.
Hormonal teratment Reduces risk of cardiovascular disease
Hormone Replacement Reduces the Risk of Heart and Vascular Disease!
Cardiovascular disease is 2 to 6 x greater in postmenopausal women compared to premenopausal women of the same age. Hormonal replacement and supplementation, when started early and continued, helps protect women from cardiovascular disease.
"Totality of evidence indicates menopausal hormone replacement therapy (HRT) ...initiated in women <60 years of age and/or at or near menopause, HRT significantly reduces all-cause mortality and cardiovascular disease (CVD) whereas other primary prevention therapies such as lipid-lowering fail to do so. Magnitude and type of HRT-associated risks, including breast cancer, stroke and venous thromboembolism are rare (<10 events/10,000 women), not unique to HRT and comparable with other medications. HRT is a sex-specific and time dependent primary CVD prevention therapy that concomitantly reduces all-cause mortality as well as other aging-related diseases with an excellent risk profile. "
Hormonal treatment Improves brain function
Hormone Replacement Improves Brain Function and Increases Brain Volume in Some Women!
Hormonal replacement therapy is known to improve 'brain fog'. It also appears to decrease the risk of developing dementia - at least for women carrying the AP04E gene variant.
The risk of dementia is known to be higher in women than men. The APOE4 gene also significantly increases the risk. About 25% of people with European ancestry have one copy of APOE4, which more than doubles their chances of developing late-onset Alzheimer's. Another 2% to 3% of people have two copies of the variant, making them 8 -10 times more likely to develop Alzheimers. Data from the European Prevention of Alzheimer's Dementia (EPAD) found that HRT improved memory and larger certain areas of the brain (entorhinal and amygdala areas) in APOE4 carriers,
Improves Bones
Hormone Replacement Strengthens Bones!
Postmenopausal osteoporosis is a frequent clinical condition which affects nearly 1 in 3 women. Estrogen deficiency leads to rapid bone loss which is maximal within the first 2-3 years after the menopause transition and can be prevented by menopause hormone therapy (MHT). Not only, MHT prevents bone loss and the degradation of the bone microarchitecture but it significantly reduces the risk of fracture at all bone sites by 20-40%. It is the only anti-osteoporotic therapy that has a proven efficacy regardless of basal level of risk, even in low-risk women for fracture.
Best Pract Res Clin Endocrinol Meta 2021 Dec;35(6):101551.
hormonal treatments reduces belly fat and helps prevent diab
Hormone Replacement Reduces Fat, Strenthens Muscle and Helps Control Insulin!
Studies confirm that HRT is effective in helping to reduce belly fat. However, if you desire long-lasting results, then it is recommended you also avoid self-defeating habits that contribute to weight fluctuations. Hormone replacement also improve sleep and other menopause symptoms; therefore giving more energy and motivation to commit to healthy eating and exercise.
HRT is also commonly referred to as menopausal hormone therapy (MHT). Large, randomized controlled trials suggest that menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) delays the onset of type 2 diabetes in women. Hormones benefitpancreatic β cells, skeletal muscle, liver, and adipose tissue in postmenopausal women. This is associated with decreased abdominal fat, decreased fasting glucose and insulin, improved glucose effectiveness and insulin sensitivity, and a reduced incidence of diabetes.
hormonal treatment Improves Sexual Functioin
Hormone Replacement Helps Sexual Function!
Everyone knows that female hormones are critical for all aspects of sexual function, fertility, and reproduction. Hormonal replacement significantly improves all aspects of sexual function including vaginal dryness, bladder control, and libido
Bioidentical Hormones Safety
Are Bioidentical Hormones Safe ?
In a word, yes! Bioidentical hormones are taken by millions of other women just like you. They are widely used in other developed countries. Bioidentical hormones administered by transdermal cream are even safer than pills and more convenient than pellets or patches. Women starting HRT before age 60 have been found to have a lower overall mortality and a significantly decreased risk of heart and vascular disease. While there are potential side effects with any treatment the overwhelming consensus is that the benefits of hormonal replacement far outweigh the potential risks.
The 2022 hormone therapy position statement of The North American Menopause Society
Hormone therapy remains the most effective treatment for vasomotor symptoms (VMS) and the genitourinary syndrome of menopause and has been shown to prevent bone loss and fracture. The risks of hormone therapy differ depending on type, dose, duration of use, route of administration, timing of initiation, and whether a progestogen is used.
Potential Side Effects
Potential side effects may occur, particularly in the beginning as your body adjusts to the hormones. The possible side effects may be different depending on the type of hormone therapy you’re taking, so it’s best to ask your doctor what to expect. Some common side effects may include:
Bioidentical Hormones and Breast Cancer?
The Women's Health Initiative Study of 2012 suggested a slightly higher risk of developing breast cancer among women taking Premarin. However, many of these women were older than 60 with pre existing health conditions. Premarin also is not the same as bioidentical hormones used now. Premarin is a form of conjugated estrogen made from horse urine. A number of studies since the WHI study have found no link between estrogen and developing breast cancer. However, among women who already have estrogen- sensitive breast cancer, then estrogen can worsen the condition. On November 16, 2023 the American Cancer Society put out a position statement saying "Estrogen-only HRT is not linked to a higher risk of breast cancer"
That may not be the same for progesterone which may slightly increase the risk for breast cancer. Then why do we include progesterone? Partly to protect the uterine lining from over growth and potentially developing endometrial cancer with estrogen only treatment. And partly because progesterone is also an important hormone for women.
Another study of 80,000 postmenopausal women for 8 years using different forms of HRT. It found that women who used estrogen in combination with synthetic progestin had a 69% increased risk of developing breast cancer when compared to women who never took HRT. Women who used progesterone in combination with estrogen had no increased risk in developing breast cancer compared to women that did not use HRT and also had a decreased risk in developing breast cancer compared to the women that used progestin.
A 1981 Johns Hopkins study found that infertile women with progesterone deficiency had a premenopausal breast cancer risk that was 540% greater than that of women whose infertility was not related to their hormone status. Furthermore, these women had a 1,000% greater risk of death from all types of cancer.
Breast Cancer Res Treat 2008 Jan;107(1):103-11. doi: 10.1007/s10549-007-9523-
Am J Epidemiol. 1981 Aug;114(2):209-17. doi: 10.1093/oxfordjournals.aje.a113184.
Nutrition and Fitness
Hormone replacement can improve the way you look and feel. But it's equally important to follow a healthy life style including a healthy diet, adequate sleep and regular exercise
Discuss with Your Doctor
Along with potential benefits, there are potential side effects and risks associated with bioidentical HRT and with hormone replacement therapies in general. It’s important to discuss these with your doctor.
