Bioidentical Hormones Side Effects

Bioidentical hormones have enjoyed a great deal of popularity since Oprah publicly endorsed the treatment based on her own success with bioidentical hormone therapy. Unlike pharmaceutical hormones, bioidentical hormones are made from plant derivatives, so they match the body's unique chemistry. A bioidentical hormone is similar to the hormones that your body would create on it's own. But are there bioidentical hormones side effects?

The fear that surrounds all hormone therapy, specifically involving womens health, started with a study conducted by the National Institutes of Health entitled “Women’s Health Initiative Postmenopausal Hormone Therapy Trials,” that indicated a synthetic pharmaceutical blend of estrogen and progesterone resulted in a heightened risk for women to experience heart attack, stroke, blood clots, breast cancer and colorectal cancer. The same study showed that women given estrogen alone did not experience any increased risk for these health problems.

So why would the pharmaceutical company want to make a blend of estrogen and progesterone when estrogen alone had no negative indications? It is difficult to say. However, it should be noted that you can not patent estrogen since it is naturally occurring.

When you take a bioidentical hormone, the risks are the same as the naturally occurring hormone already in your body. If your hormone level is higher than your body needs, you will have the same side effects as you would if your body overproduced that hormone. The specific side effects would depend on which hormone was the basis of your therapy. If the hormone levels are maintained at a healthy, normal level for your body, there would be little or no side effects.

This underscores the importance of having a reliable health care provider. Receiving bioidentical hormone therapy from a qualified professional ensures that your treatment will be supported with blood tests, and that the effectiveness of the product and dosage will be closely monitored.

Dr. Robert Berberian, M.D. provides cutting edge approaches to bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. In addition to the expertise of Dr. Berbarian, who provides traditional medical services, Dr. Peter Ferraro adds the benefits of chiropractic medicine, which restores balance to the nervous system and supports total wellness. This twofold approach provides dramatic treatment results. Want to hear more? Give Dr. Berberian a call today.