Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) Offers Women Hope

Defining ‘Natural’

There exists at least two mainstream references to the word natural:

• natural in that a substance is found in the body, and
• natural in that it is found in nature.

Creams are labelled ‘Natural Progesterone’ because the hormone they contain - progesterone - is found in the body. And we know that the body sees as ‘natural’ that which has the same molecular configuration.

The finely ground (micronized) progesterone that goes into a tube or jar of cream has undergone a process in a laboratory whereby it is synthesised or converted from one substance - diosgenin (oils & fats derived from Mexican Wild Yam & Soy plants) - into United States Pharmacopea (USP) grade progesterone.

It is referred to as ?natural? because the end result represents the same (bio-identical) molecule naturally occurring in the body. It can, therefore, be introduced into the body with a relative margin of safety as progesterone replacement therapy with minimal side effects because the body recognises it.

Of equal importance is the fact bio-identical progesterone, once introduced into the body, can be utilised by the body as a precursor to manufacture other steroid hormones once your progesterone levels normalise. This is NOT the case with synthetic hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

We point out that any substance that occurs naturally in nature cannot be patented. This is why drug companies must alter, through further chemical processes, the molecular structure of natural progesterone to render it not-natural-to-the-body. Only then can these ’synthetic’ drugs, Provera being a good example, be patented.

These patented, chemically-altered hormones can shut down or reduce our production of natural hormones. Because the molecules have been changed, the synthetic hormones used in the Contraceptive Pill and HRT do not have the same effect on the mind and body as our natural hormones do. In fact, many of the effects of synthetic hormones are the exact opposite to the natural hormone they so ineptly replace.

Because progesterone creams contain the hormone identical to that produced by the human ovary, side effects are usually minimal.

Reported benefits of BHRT include prevention of osteoporosis; increased bone mass; increased muscle strength; increased concentration; increased libido; improvement in sleeping patterns; and reduction in hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, and feminine dryness.

Seeking out safer alternatives

Our network has recognised over time that synthetic HRT is toxic to some women, and that these women tend to respond marvellously to bio-identical hormones.

Those of us using natural-to-the-body, bio-identical progesterone know that as soon we start rubbing progesterone cream onto our body there’s an incredible physiological reaction. It’s as if it resonates immediately, and we can tell progesterone is central to our renewed health, not necessarily because of what’s we’ve read but how it intrinsically feels once applied to the body.

Indeed, natural progesterone is proving to be the drug of choice to off-set estrogen dominance.

Do women experience any side effects coming off NHRT? Based on observation, “no”. Women who stopped using natural progesterone cream were not bothered by drug-related ‘withdrawal’ symptoms. Rather, they reported a resurgence of their estrogen dominance symptoms indicating their body genuinely required natural progesterone supplementation to support hormone balance.

Are our outcomes using natural progesterone merely placebo? For so many women to be finding relief over so many years, and who report a resurgence of symptoms when cream is discontinued, that seems highly unlikely. But, of course, our feedback will have to suffice until controlled test trials are conducted that will win over the medical fraternity. This is now only a matter of time since drug companies have already begun peddling their patented versions of oral micronised progesterone (Prometrium).

Just keep in mind, when considering which delivery system best suits you, that natural progesterone cream is preferred to pills or capsules as more than 75% of the natural progesterone in pills may be lost through the liver.