Bioidentical Estrogen

Menopause is characterized by widely fluctuating estrogen levels as natural production starts to decline. This often causes the common symptoms of hot flashes and changes in mood. As the ovaries fail in later menopause and estrogen levels decline further, symptoms such as difficulty with sleeping, loss of bone density and subsequent osteopenia/osteoporosis and memory issues, to name but a few, become evident.

Low estrogen also causes a drop in libido or diminished sex drive because vaginal walls become thinner and drier resulting in painful intercourse. Orgasms also become harder to reach and are less intense. A lack of estrogen can also cause other skin changes in women. Reduced estrogen causes a reduction in collagen, which is responsible for building skin and connective tissue, and that can lead to thinner, drier and wrinkled skin.

These and many other aspects of aging are considered inevitable when in fact, they can be managed or relieved through bioidentical hormone restoration therapy. Aging is a symptom of hormone imbalance. Hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, and memory loss are among the other symptoms of too little estrogen.

What is Bioidentical Estrogen?

The body naturally produces three (3) main forms of estrogen: Estrone, Estradiol, and Estriol. The most potent form is the estradiol mainly responsible for the development of female secondary sexual characteristics and the regulation of the menstrual cycle and reproductive system. This form is converted into another important but weaker estrogen called estrone (E1) – a repository for estradiol. Estriol (E3) is yet another form of estrogen metabolized from estradiol (E2) and Estrone (1), weaker than the other two, but still active.

Because estriol (E3) has been considered the weakest form of estrogen, it has been largely overlooked as a beneficial piece of the hormone pie. However, studies suggest that when estriol, is administered topically, it does not increase the risk of hormone-dependent cancers of the breast or endometrium (uterine lining) and can help reduce a variety of symptoms associated with perimenopause and menopause, including hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and decrease in bone density.

Revitalife Compounding pharmacy offers bioidentical estrogen preparations of various concentrations and dosage forms that will fit the patients’ individual needs. We offer estrogen combinations of estradiol and estriol at various ratios depending on physicians’ requests. Bioidentical estrogens are plant-derived hormones that are molecularly identical to the natural estrogens of the body. They can provide relief for peri-menopausal and post-menopausal symptoms and clinical signs and symptoms of low estrogen levels including

Short or long menstrual cycle
Depressive constant fatigue
Premenstrual depression
Menstrual hot flushes
Droopy, flabby breasts
Osteoporosis or low bone density
Wrinkles

References:

Moskowitz D. A Comprehensive Review of the Safety and Efficacy of Bioidentical Hormones for the Management of Menopause and Related Health Risks. Alternative Medicine Review. Volume 11, Number 3, 2006: 208-223.
Takahashi K, Okada M, Ozaki T, et al. Safety and efficacy of oestriol for symptoms of natural or surgically induced menopause. Hum Reprod. 2000 May;15(5):1028-36.
Melamed M, Castano E, Notides AC, Sasson S. Molecular and kinetic basis for the mixed agonist/antagonist activity of estriol. Mol Endocrinol. 1997 Nov;11(12):1868-78.
Weiderpass E, Baron JA, Adami HO, et al. Low-potency oestrogen and risk of endometrial cancer: a case-control study. Lancet. 1999 May 29;353(9167):1824-8.
Yang TS, Tsan SH, Chang SP, Ng HT. Efficacy and safety of estriol replacement therapy for climacteric women. Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi (Taipei). 1995 May;55(5):386-91.
Lauritzen C. Results of a 5 years prospective study of estriol succinate treatment in patients with climacteric complaints. Horm Metab Res. 1987 Nov;19(11):579-84.