Portland Oregon Bioidentical Doctors Seminar - Bioidentical Hormones

Bioidentical Hormones Replacement Therapy

Portland Oregon Doctors Seminar

Part 1

Part 2

What are Bioidentical Hormones?

Dr. Kathryn Retzler, HormoneSynergy Clinic LLC

Bioidentical hormones are plant-derived, and are structurally identical to hormones produced by your body. Bioidentical hormone delivery methods and dosages are chosen based on testing and your individual symptoms and specific needs. There are many types of bioidentical hormones including pharmaceuticals such as patches and gels, as well as compounded options including sustained-release capsules, topical creams or gels, sublingual lozenges, and subcutaneous pellet implants.

Historically, hormone replacement has involved the use of synthetic hormones, especially synthetic estrogen, progestins (e.g., Premarin® and Provera® or PremPro®) and testosterone (methyltestosterone in Estratest®). These synthetic hormones have been shown to increase the risk for health problems including breast cancer, heart disease, stroke, and liver problems.

Bioidentical hormones are prescribed in individualized dosages (based on clinical symptoms and lab results). Because bioidentical hormones are identical in structure as those hormones produced by the human body, they are safer and more effective than synthetic hormones (this is especially true for bioidentical progesterone and testosterone).