Bioidenticals safer and more effective than synthetic HRT, studies show

Posted on July 21, 2009, 9:14 a.m. in Aging Hormone Replacement Therapy Longevity and Age Management Women’s Health

The appearance of Suzanne Somers on a recent Oprah Winfrey show sparked controversy in the mainstream media about the benefits of using bioidentical hormones for hormone replacement therapy instead of synthetics. Dr. Al Sears, who notes that Somers is the author of several best-selling books on the subject, says that she has educated herself about the options for HRT and he writes that he agrees with her that bioidenticals are matter, whereas synthetic HRT drugs are chemically altered forms of hormones that come from animal waste,” he notes, highlighting that Prempro and Premarin, one of the most widely prescribed HRT drugs, both contain horse urine from pregnant mares. So, how should patients get started with bioidenticals? Dr. Sears stresses the importance of first having a physician check levels of estrogen, progesterone and testosterone in order to detemine which hormones need replenishing. And he emphasizes that not all bioidenticals are equal. “When it comes to hormones, one size does not fit all. Everyone’s needs are different. With bioidenticals, a doctor can prescribe a custom blend of naturally occurring hormones that are specific to the patient’s needs,” he notes. Some doctors are unwilling to prescribe bioidenticals, but many are, particularly those who specialize in alternative and natural health.