Natural Hormones is a term reserved for those chemicals that are derived from plant sources and that are exact duplicates of what your body produces. These differ from some of the other hormones that have been chemically altered, which sometimes have more of an adverse impact on the body. There are four groups of natural hormones that are of major concern:
1. Estrogens 2. Progesterone 3. Testosterone 4. Dihydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)
Estrogens
These include estradiol, estrone, and estriol. The plant source of these chemicals is the soybean. These are prescribed for replacement therapy due to menopause, ovarian faulure, or for women who have had a hysterectomy with removal of the ovaries.
There are benefits of prescribing the natural hormone replacement of estrogen. When prescribed for menopause, estrogen can alleviate, in many cases, hot flashes, vaginal and urinary tract dryness, sleeplessness, and mood swings. There are also cardiovascular benefits such as increasing HDL's and decreasing LDL's, protecting against premature heart disease, hypertension, and high cholesterol. It may also help osteoporosis if the treatment is begun early enough.
Progesterone
Progesterone is derived from the Mexican Yam or Soybean. It can be prescribed for infertility, luteal phase defect, PMS, or in combination with estrogens for menopause. Researchers have conducted studies involving oral capsules filled with lactose or oil, vaginal or rectal suppositories, sublingual/buccal lozenges, topical gels, and transdermal creams. The major side effect of progesterone, especially when taken in capsule form, is drowsiness and possibly headache.
Testosterone
The use of Testosterone in women includes lack of vital energy, and low or decreased libido in the aging process. The side effect profile of testosterone should be discussed with your physician. However, low dose therapy can be achieved by the sublingual/buccal or transdermal cream routes, which should bypass the liver.
DHEA
DHEA may be used in Adrenal Insufficiency Replacement Therapy. It is a normal bio-identical hormone that is produced in larger quantities under unstressed conditions than other adrenal hormones. Used for insufficiency of secretion, it is a precursor for both testosterone and estrogen, but it is a relatively weak androgen. Levels of DHEA decline as we age so that by the time a person is 60 years old their levels are only 5 to 15% of what they were earlier in life. In prolonged adrenal insufficiency not only cortisol but also DHEA will become dificient.
Further information is available on:
Natural (Bio-Identical) Estrogens Rich Text Format Text only version
Progesterone Rich Text Format Text only version
Testosterone Rich Text Format Text only version
Adrenal Insufficiency Replacement Therapy Rich Text Format Text only version
Melatonin Rich Text Format Text only
Wilson's Syndrome Rich Text Format Text only
