What does Bioidentical mean? Bioidentical means that the substance is derived from a natural (usually plant) product, but has been subtly altered to make it structurally identical to the hormone produced by the human body. Estrogen and other hormone molecules fit (bind) into specifically shaped cellular receptors much like a key in a lock. If the key fits and turns the lock, certain cellular responses occur. If the key is a close, but not exact fit (not bioidentical) it may bind to the receptor and occupy the site, but it may not direct the cell to act or may prevent the right key from binding. In addition, the fit may be close enough to turn the lock, but the cellular response may not be the appropriate one and/or other unwanted side effects may occur. Pharmaceutical companies cannot patent naturally occurring substances, be they drugs extracted from plants or human hormones. So they create a synthetic chemical (or chemically alter a natural substance) with a molecular structure similar enough to function somewhat like the naturally occurring substance but that they can own the patent to (do you hear cha$ching?). Unfortunately, our bodies sometimes have severe reactions to these man made chemicals and our livers have a hard time breaking them down so that the body can excrete the by-products. Birth control pills (the original fertility pills) are made by synthesizing estradiol and/or progestin to look enough like the natural hormones to fool the body into thinking it has just seen the real thing.

What is Natural Progesterone? Natural progesterone is derived from plant sources, usually soybean or Mexican (wild) yam, both of which contain significant amounts of diosgenin, a molecule that is structurally similar to the progesterone made by the human body. Diosgenin is converted in the laboratory by enzymatic reaction into a molecule exactly like (bioidentical) to the human hormone. Synthetic progestin(s) made by pharmaceutical companies that are prescribed to reduce the side effects of HRT estrogens (think Premarin + Provera) are not bioidentical and cannot perform many of the crucial functions natural progesterone does. Indeed, synthetic progestins have been linked to several conditions and diseases, not the least of which is increased incidence of stroke, blood clots and breast cancer.

The important point here is:

                 natural(bioidentical) = progesterone                synthetic = progestin.

Supplementing with natural progesterone satisfies the body's need for adequate levels of progesterone regardless of your hormonal status (pre-, peri- or post-menopausal). Botanical Alternatives' Bioidentical Progesterone Cream uses USP micronized progesterone derived from Mexican (wild) yam in a base of easily absorbed, nourishing plant oils and vitamins.

What method is best to supplement Progesterone? Progesterone can be administered orally in pill form or sublingual drops, or by transdermal application (topical cream absorbed through the skin). Progesterone taken in pill form must first pass from the stomach through the liver before entering the bloodstream. The liver rapidly breaks down the majority of the dose into metabolites which are excreted out of the body and never reach the target tissues. A similar fate occurs to sublingual drops (liquid drops under the tongue) although some is absorbed by the skin in the mouth cavity. Natural progesterone applied as a transdermal cream is absorbed into the fat cells under the skin, goes directly into the bloodstream (bypassing the liver), and is distributed to the target tissues. Transdermal application of natural progesterone is clearly the superior method to supply the body with levels necessary to maintain optimal health. It is true that some people's skin absorbs more efficiently than others and some who metabolize hormones faster than others (convert hormones to by-products that are eliminated from the body). With a little experimentation, one can determine what dosage will reduce or eliminate symptoms. A safe and effective way of supplementing natural progesterone is the transdermal application of Botanical Alternatives' Bioidentical Progesterone Cream.

What about hormones in the environment? Animals fed or injected with estrogens or growth hormones to increase the production of meat, eggs and milk result in hormone-laced products that when eaten, contribute to our body's accumulation of those hormones as well. Phyto or plant estrogens are abundant in some foods we eat, such as soy products, as well as in some herbs and spices.  Natural plant estrogens from food intake are not considered harmful and can actually reduce the body's overproduction of estradiol. Some plastic and pesticide molecules from our environment, called xenoestrogens, also mimic human estrogens! These look a lot like, but are not identical to, the estrogens the human body makes. Laboratory research has proven that some environmental estrogens can act on human cells in a manner similar to the body's own estrogens. However, there is no scientific proof that plant progesterone-like molecules can act as progesterone. Think of all the birth control pills consumed in the United States; huge amounts of synthetic hormones, most of which goes down the toilet and where does it end up? In our water supply! Our environment is awash in a sea of synthetic hormones! Because of the many sources of estrogen and estrogen-like molecules, our bodies can be exposed to an overabundance of estrogens compared to progesterone, resulting in symptoms associated with estrogen dominance. Worse, many of these xenoestrogens are considered carcinogenic! To reduce your exposure to environmental hormones; 1) eat organic meat, eggs, and dairy products, 2) cook and store your food in glass-not plastic, 3) drink charcoal filtered water, but not from plastic containers, 4) avoid exposure to petrochemicals-gas, oil, exhaust fumes, and home, lawn and garden pesticides and herbicides, 5) don't take birth control pills or synthetic prescription drugs.

What is a normal menstrual cycle? Approximately every 28 days estradiol and progesterone rise and fall in a precise pattern that concludes with menstruation. The process begins when the pituitary gland secretes FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) which signals the ovary to produce estradiol, thus beginning the follicular phase of the cycle. Estradiol rises and peaks around day 12 of the cycle (counting day one as the onset of bleeding of the previous cycle) and facilitates maturing an egg(s) within a small pocket of specialized cells called a follicle on the surface of the ovary. The mature egg erupts from the surface of the ovary (ovulation) and travels down the fallopian tube into the uterus. Another pituitary hormone, LH (luteinizing hormone) is released about day 14 which causes the follicle cells to develop into the corpus luteum (yellow body), beginning the luteal phase of the cycle. The corpus luteum are the only cells in the body capable of producing adequate levels of progesterone other than the adrenals, which convert most of the progesterone they make into cortisol (the placenta also produces large amounts of progesterone during pregnancy). Estradiol and progesterone work together to build up the uterine lining and create a hospitable environment that allows the fertilized egg to implant and grow. Progesterone levels peak at about day 20, and if fertilization of the egg does not occur, levels begin to drop which in turn triggers the shedding of the uterine lining (menstruation).

Place monthly cycle graph showing E2, Pg, FSH and LH here.

What is PMS? PMS is a group of symptoms that may include: mood swings, irritability, depression, water retention, bloating, weight gain, tender or fibrocystic breasts, loss of libido, and headaches or migraines just to name a few. Menstruating women of any age, teens to menopause, can be affected. There is no laboratory test for PMS. Diagnosis depends on monthly timing and a range of symptoms. There are two important things to understand about PMS: 1) Yes, it is real and 2) No, you are not going crazy. The symptoms of PMS are generally associated with a lack of progesterone production. When an egg fails to mature and be released from the ovary, called an anovulatory cycle, no progesterone is produced by the ovarian follicle. Even when an egg is released, adequate amounts of progesterone may not be produced. Both instances result in a hormonal imbalance or estrogen dominance. Botanical Alternatives' natural progesterone cream can help restore hormonal balance and thus alleviate uncomfortable symptoms of PMS.

What is Peri-menopause? As the human body ages it becomes less efficient at producing adequate hormone levels. A woman's hormone balance can begin to shift as early as her mid-30's and continues through menopause. By this time, the ovaries are running out of eggs capable of maturing and ovulation may or may not occur. This can cause irregular periods. If ovulation does not occur, the follicle cannot produce progesterone. Although estradiol and progesterone are primarily secreted by the ovary, other cells in the body (particularly fat cells) can continue to supply estradiol. The adrenal glands produce some progesterone, much of which is used to make cortisol and other hormones, but it is not available at levels necessary to balance estradiol. Due to modern day stresses the adrenal glands may not be functioning at normal levels anyway (called adrenal exhaustion). Without progesterone to counter-balance estradiol (called estrogen dominance) the following symptoms can occur: hot flashes, night sweats, depression, fatigue, foggy thinking, water retention, weight gain, fibrocystic breasts, uterine fibroids, bone and hair loss, among others. Although hot flashes and night sweats are usually associated with low estrogen levels, Dr. David Zava suggests that these symptoms may instead be caused by the extreme and rapid fluxuation (peaks followed by crashing) of estrogen levels due to the inconsistent regulation of the hormone as the ovaries proceed toward shutdown (menopause).

What is Menopause? Menopause is defined as the cessation of menses, in other words, no bleeding for a year or more. During this time, some peri-menopausal symptoms due to estrogen dominance may continue. Of special concern after menopause is increased bone loss and higher incidence of heart disease and stroke. Progesterone is necessary to maintain strong bones and keep the heart and circulatory system healthy. Supplementing with progesterone can both alleviate post-menopausal symptoms and assure that your body has an adequate supply of progesterone to maintain bone integrity and heart health. When progesterone is restored to adequate levels, it wakes up the estrogen receptors and enables them to be more sensitive to what little estradiol is being produced by the body. Symptoms associated with low estrogen levels, such as incontinence, vaginal dryness, foggy thinking, dry skin and brittle hair, can be reduced or alleviated simply by raising one's progesterone level.

What about Male Hormones?   Men have the same hormones as women, just in different proportions. Estradiol is the predominant sex hormone in women and what gives women ‘feminine' characteristics in both body and brain function. Testosterone, on the other hand, is the predominant male sex hormone that produces secondary sexual characteristics such as increased body hair, masculine voice, increased bone and muscle mass, etc. Women have much lower levels of testosterone in relation to men.  Testosterone regulates our sex drive (libido) and determines our muscle mass, among other things. Men's bodies produce small amounts of estradiol as well.  As men age, more testosterone is converted into estradiol, which has a feminizing action. Their breasts may become more developed, their testosterone levels diminish, their libidos diminish, and they become more susceptible to reproductive cancers (especially prostate). Estradiol causes

References:

What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Breast Cancer,  John R. Lee, MD, David Zava, PhD, and Virginia Hopkins

Natural Progesterone, The Multiple Roles of a Remarkable Hormone, John R. Lee, MD

You've Hit Menopause, Now What?, George Gillson, MD, PhD, and Tracy Marsden, BScPharm

Hormone Balance in Men, John R. Lee, MD.

This information is educational in nature and should not be regarded as medical advice. These statements are the opinion of the author and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The author, Marilyn Blen, is not a medical practitioner and has compiled this information based on her research experience in the field (see About Us link above). Please consult a health care professional if you need to discuss your symptoms or make decisions regarding your medical care.

Hormones 201--coming soon to this website! Featuring: Polycystic ovaries, Endometriosis, uterine fibroids, fibrocystic breasts, Estrogen dominance and hypothyroidism, osteoporosis, The HRT bungle, what's the matter with a little horse urine?, progesterone and cortisol. Get ready, it's a blockbuster!