The Difference Between Natural, Plant-based, and Bioidentical Hormones | Empowering Midlife Wellness
When it comes to assessing hormone replacement, the terminology can be incredibly confusing. Terms like natural, synthetic, plant-based, bio-identical, compounded, or FDA approved are used regularly (mostly as marketing terms) and often don’t have much real meaning. Today I’ll do my best to make sense of all of that terminology and simplify it for you, and let you know what is important and what isn’t!
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Пікірлер: 72
So in short, bio identical is less taxing on the liver. Thank you!
They may be synthetic because they’re made in a lab, but the chemical makeup of bioidenticals is identical to the human body which is what makes them better than synthetic.
@angelabalken6223
5 ай бұрын
That puts things in a whole different light for me.
One of your best episodes! While I do have a doctor that I go to for Biote pellets - she isn’t as schooled as you and my GYN is emphatically opposed to what I am doing. I love how you broke down BHRT versus synthetic hormones and how each has their place. Likes someone else posted - I do wish I was closer to where you are but I will work with what I have and arm myself with your very wise education and advice. Thanks for all you do!
@drsusan
Жыл бұрын
Thank you for watching! I'm glad these videos are helpful
My opinion is "FDA approved" is not a big deal unless you trust the government.
Dr Susan, what blood/urine tests are needed to decide what estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone dosage are required?
You are a Godsend! Thank you❤
Hi Dr. Hardwick-Smith, New Subscriber. I found your KZread channel from Dominique Sachse KZread channel. Thanks for the informative videos!!!
I so wish I lived closer to you! I would be in your office ASAP! I have been through a hard time with my OB. Went to her a year and 5 months ago told her I was having urinary problems and I felt very dry along with hot flashes. She a vaginal exam and said everything looks great. Continued to have these problems even got worse. I ended up going to my General practitioner and told him the exact same thing he said let’s run some labs. He said in the mean time let’s try some vaginal estridol 1 mg 3 times a week. So I got on that and things started to slow down. In the meantime it was time for my yearly went to my OB told her what my GP had put me on and she said “I” am one of 5 hormone specialist in Arkansas you need to leave your hormones to me. I was like Oh Ok…. She said take 1mg 2x a week. You can be on this the rest of your life. Ok….. I said what do I need to do and not sleeping etc. she said very roughly are you ready to start HRT? I said no because I thought she might have explained it to me first. So from that day on I did my research and talked to several other women. Went to my yearly 3 weeks ago and told her I had low libido basically none at all and she said “If I had a magic pill I would be rich” 😏 proceeded to say download the Rosey app and gave be a name of a book to read… Really! At that point I shut down. She did my exam and said is there any other concerns? I said no because I felt so defeated at that point! So I got no information from the doctor I have seen for 29 years and who delivered both my kids! Ugh I’m at a loss on what to do!
@drsusan
Жыл бұрын
Hey there Shannon, I'm sorry to hear about the difficulties you've been having. Many times your regular doctors are just not equipped with the information necessary to guide us through this change. I know this from my own experience as an OB, I gave poor advice to menopausal women until I started going through it myself. I would suggest finding a menopause practitioner in your area by going to www.menopause.org and searching for NAMS certified doctors. Things can get better!
@8181Shannon
Жыл бұрын
@@drsusan Thank You! Funny thing is I just looked up and she is on that list 😏 there are others as well so I will look into one of them.
i am interested in switching to BHRT, ran across your channel doing more research. thank you for your experitse. Will continue seeing my dr for correct dosage, perscription.
Thank you so much for this explanation!!!
Synthetic does not mean fake. It is a combination. Synthetic could be a combination of two organic natural materials.
Thank you for the explanation!
@drsusan
Жыл бұрын
You're welcome!
I have heard that if you did not start HRT during menopause that there is no benefit to women once they passed menopause. Should I be doing HRT?
Thanks I understand I used a cream compounded
So helpful! I have been told that I shouldn't begin HRT until after I'm a year without a period and post-menopausal, even though I'm suffering many horrible symptoms of hormone deficiencies in perimenopause. Is there a real reason I should have to suffer with waning hormones for possibly 10 years and not begin HRT until postmenopausal?
Hi Dr Hadwick, what about the combi patch, which is estrogen progestin therapy ? Should someone in early menopause if not sleeping and mood and starting to run hot with some aches in joints use this? I wasn’t sure the difference between progestin and progesterone ! The brand is estalis 140/50 noterhindrone acetate Thank you for this valuable info! 😊
I need to find a doctor willing to help me with my hormones. I have a very unusual cancer story of mistakes, misinformation, and doctor not providing me complete information which led me down a path of treatment I wouldn’t have agreed to had I known them what I know now. I had a debunking surgery which includes a full hysterectomy, plus large amounts of platinum based chemotherapy. 2 1/2 years after all of this I had a brain MRI. And diagnosed with mild dementia and told my brain will continue to shrink. I’ve had my heavy metals tested and my body is off the charts high with platinum (above dangerously high levels). It’s very difficult to find a doctor to help me get better. I’m assuming the platinum and the lack of hormones are two huge contributors to the dementia. I am now 5 yrs out from chemo. And I feel as though I’m fighting for my life. How can I get help with my hormones with spending a fortune. I’m no longer successful at my career and my life is very different because of this. It’s getting difficult to support myself.
@tammygonzalez9313
Жыл бұрын
I'm so sorry! I hope you get all the answers you need!
What about the Sustained Release Compounded Progesterone? I had a very different experience taking that vs. taking prometrium. I had spotting every day with the prometrium thinking it was the same as the compounded formula. But SR Progesterone was much more effective for me. No spotting. Can you discuss this? Thanks for the info!
Im on combipatch for 9 months. Should i worry re the norenthindone. .14 mg.
Dr Susan you look like a royalty, very classy 😊❤
Wonderful videos Dr. Susan👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼. I am a 55 years old that started about 1 year with HRT, after doing my research i had an appt with a new obgyn, it does not seem to be A doctor that specializes in HRT/menopause in my area. After trying 2 different doses of the combipatch & still spotting we changed to .1 mg of Estradiol pact made by Mylan & 1 daily 5 mg Medroxyprogesterone pill. For the las 3 months i have not stopped spotting. Last December 2022 Vaginal ultrasound good . 3mm thickness. Biopsy was negative. At the beginning of March got another ultrasound measuring 5mm, have not stopped spotting, it is light but inconvenient & worry some to me. I have not being able to find the names of FDA bio identical estradiol & progesterone to ask her for the specific prescription. Were can i find their name to see if my insurance will cover it 10:53 & I can get it at Walgreens. Thank you do much for your videos. Xenia.
I have just been prescribed Divigel+Provera combo for starting HRT for the first time. I am 49 still having periods. Worried about the Provera- any thoughts on this or experiences from someone..? Thinking about asking to switch it to Utrogestan…
Great discussion! I currently take compounded BHRT, and I hear other dr's say that since compounded medicines as formulations aren't tested, nor are the pharmacy's products regulated or tested, there's no way of verifying you're getting the correct levels. How would a customer/dr/patient verify the pharmacy is rigorous in its formulations? Thanks!
Thank you, can let me know some of the brands at the pharmacy I can buy?
@alexandraferreira561
2 ай бұрын
Progesterone/Utrogestan and progeffik is also micronized progesterone
Is there not biodentical birth control available? And why not?
@janetleephoto59
5 ай бұрын
No because synthetic hormones suppress your natural hormones which is what facilitates their effectiveness. They cause your body to think it’s pregnant. Bioidentical hormones enhance your natural hormones and help your body function naturally.
Thank you so much!!!!
I wonder why the Pharmaceutical companies are still putting the findings from the WHI in the HRT packaging?? Required by law?
Is she saying Premarin is as good as Bio identical Progesterone?
Thank your all the information. Its the inactive ingredients i m concerned about. Peanut oil can go rancid
Thank you!
I wonder why progesterone is in peanut oil? I have a severe peanut allergy. I realize that’s just the oil, but why would they do that lol
@KelM56
6 ай бұрын
Cheap to mass produce! 😏
I had a double mastectomy last year, and in one Breast the cancer left the cell … I was given anastrozole and it started giving me bone pain, i went off it and I’m better, no bone pain… I’m going to be given another like drug… can I take hormones
Thank you!🙏🏻
When I look up the bio-identical micronized plant-based progesterone there is such a wide variety. Are there any brands that you recommend?
@TheShumoby
10 ай бұрын
ProGest
I'm on compounded progesterone I was on Prometrium which is a lot less expensive, the insurance covers this but my doctor told me to be on the compounded Pharmacy progesterone which is much more money I don't know I'm going to switch since Dr Susan said they are the same thing
@TheShumoby
10 ай бұрын
It's the same😂 you can take it vaginally. I use menstrual cup about 50mg. I spread on the menstrual cup outer surface, less side effect and need less quantity.
Dr. Susan, I am a 70 year old woman, I stopped having my period at 56. I have never had any side of effects of menopause, hot flashes etc. I have noticed as I have aged my weight gain has picked up. Could this be a hormone issue? Thyroid?
@drsusan
Жыл бұрын
Of course, that is certainly possible I would recommend having all of your hormones checked
@DW...
8 ай бұрын
@@drsusan😢 I was unable to swallow 100 mg small round hard micronized progesterone capsules so now take 2.5 mg Medroxyprogesterone tablets, just started 3 days ago ... (55 post menopausal)... Just heard that doesn't help w/depression & sleep... Is that true?
I switched to Walgreens and I get my progesterone for free. Now I have leg swelling. Got tested for blood clots, nothing. Not thrilled about the side affects. Not worth the cost savings.
Hello, Dr Susan, I'm post menopausal, I'm 67 still getting hot flasher at night, mood swings. My Doctor said I'm too old now to start hormone treatment? Please help ..🙏 I'm live in Australia.
@heidismit5261
4 ай бұрын
Hi I am not a dr. And I hope you have found another dr by now. If not, get yourself to onother one. It is never to late to start HRT. Never.
I’m still a bit confused 🤔 How are the plant based/natural hormones bioidentical to ours?? At the end of the video you said synthetic or plant based as if these are two different things but earlier you had said the bioidentical can be both natural and synthetic because although it comes from plants it still has to go through a pharmaceutical/lab process. Also what’s the deal with products that offer “natural phytoestrogens.” Are these any good/safe instead lab made stuff?
@Pdk764
5 ай бұрын
Phytoestrogens are good at removing excess estrogen from the body. Flax see and soy are the best.
Do I need progesterone if I had a total hysterectomy
@lf7065
Жыл бұрын
If you no longer have a uterus, then you don't.
@janetleephoto59
Жыл бұрын
@@lf7065 that’s not true. Progesterone has many more benefits than protecting the uterus. It balances estrogen, protects the brain, breasts and bones. Many drs say this, and they’re incorrect.
@janetleephoto59
Жыл бұрын
Yes. It balances estrogen, protects the brain, breasts and bones.
@debbielynnsmellowminutesme7909
10 ай бұрын
No . Not unless you have uterus is what I read. Progesterone is only needed it when your shedding uterine lining so I don’t know why people talk about this if after 50!
My doctor won’t evaluate my hormones I really feel my weight gain moods and sleepless nights are due to hormonal imbalances, how can I get on hormonal replacement without breaking the bank I’m on a limited budget and do I need a prescription? I’m sixty years old Thank you Dr
@drsusan
Жыл бұрын
Please try to find a menopause practitioner in your area that won't fight you on HRT. Visit the NAMS website www.menopause.org
Thank you I needed to hear this I want to use the best one I'm just going into perimenopause and I'm having vaginal bleeding they said that they seem atypical glandular cells during a pap smear they may need to do a biopsy I'm at a loss for words they will have to do a full hysterectomy either way I go I guess does anybody know anything about this is possibly cancer I do know that but what hormones would be better or I do have thyroid issues as well and I take levothyroxine 75 MCG everyday and then I skip Sunday I'm very new to all of this I need to make a decision within the next two three weeks I have nobody no family nothing and not familiar with anything anybody can give me any information at all it will be wonderful Thank you and God bless you Thank you so much for the video 💜🙏
@marybethcoonrod9424
Жыл бұрын
Another menapause resource is Dr Barbie Taylor. She also has videos on utube.
@drsusan
Жыл бұрын
Sorry to hear about all of what you’re going through and I don’t know your full medical history but I would definitely recommend leaving your ovaries when you have your hysterectomy, and then having your hormones fully evaluated afterwards- we’d be happy to see you in Houston! Good luck with your surgery and definitely that will solve a lot of problems 💕
Thank you for this! Synthetic is not necessarily bad! What a relief to hear because so many people say birth control pills are bad. And are birth control pills really that bad for your liver?
@bellaroccisano4156
11 ай бұрын
Yes, anything synthetic is bad
@marianneporter26
11 ай бұрын
Yes, they are but you have to choose benefit vs. risk. Increase risk of heart attack and stroke, can affect libido and change your brain. Look into it…if I had to do it over again, I would go IUD for birth control and bioidentical hormones for pms/menopausal symptoms.
What? No way! They are the same??
@janetleephoto59
Жыл бұрын
No, they aren’t the same.
@janetleephoto59
Жыл бұрын
Compounding pharmacies can use different ingredients in the base. Some women react to the peanut oil in the pharmacy product.