Bioidenticals?

[melissaK]

I've been really puzzled by bio identical hormone claims. And my investigation led me to think it was just marketing hype to sell me expensive herbal products. I couldn't see that any bioidenticals came with reliable active ingredient statements. And today I stumbled on a Medscape lecture by a physician that said kinda the same thing.

I think few of us on the TS boards mess with anything but the real pharmaceuticals, we're just too serious about our situation to do otherwise. Does that sound right?

Hugs,
'Lissa

[Bree-asaurus]

I think few of us on the TS boards mess with anything but the real pharmaceuticals, we're just too serious about our situation to do otherwise. Does that sound right?

Pretty much. If you want the job done, do it right the first time.

[Aprilrain]

If you're taking 17B-estradiol your taking a "bioidentical" hormone, this is what you get for $4-$12 from the pharmacy. If you're taking medroxyprogesyerone then your taking a progestin which is close to but not chemically identical to progesterone. Prometrium IS "bioidentical" to progesterone but cost a lot more which is why they usually prescribe the aforementioned medroxyprogesyerone. All of theses so called "bioidentical" hormones are synthisisized in a lab, you don't just go naw on some plant and get your hormones though prometrium is made from yams.
The only "all natural" hormones that work are Premarin which is extracted from horse urine. Oddly enough these are usually refered to as synthetic hormones. Though Premarin containes 17B-estrodiol and esterone, "bioidentical" hormones it also contains estrogens, like equiline, native only to horses and NOT humans therefore, overall, Premarin is NOT considered "bioidentical".

You're right to think that any website that claims to sell "all natural" "bioidentical" blah blah blah herbals is just blowing pink smoke up your a$$. :battingeyelashes:

[LeaP]

... I think few of us on the TS boards mess with anything but the real pharmaceuticals, we're just too serious about our situation to do otherwise. Does that sound right?


That sounds right. What does amaze me are the people taking herbals they think are bio-identical ... but believe the real thing too dangerous!

We are conditioned to believe in the miracle of herbal remedies. We read story after story over the years about someone discovering an obscure plant in the forest somewhere that's the latest cure for something. We read about primitive cultures with seemingly advanced knowledge of the use of herbs and plants. We get movie scenes where people are miraculously cured by a medicine man or shaman. And everyone knows someone with a testimonial. So we believe - if we can only find the right herb, the right combination of potions and extracts, the person with the real secret knowledge!

Add to that a barrage of skepticism and cynicism regarding the practice of modern medicine and its limitations, and you have a fairly potent combination. Then, for good measure, toss in some desperation. Finally, in the case of TG people, there is often a desire to stay off the radar - so for some, herbals become the path of choice so nothing appears on a medical record.

[melissaK]

If you're taking 17B-estradiol your taking a "bioidentical" hormone, this is what you get for $4-$12 from the pharmacy.

Good point April. The Medscape doctor said the same thing. She also was aiming her talk at post menopausal women scarred off of some estrogens because of the possible breast cancer link (new research out says its remote and limited to certain genetic combinations?). Apparently the bioidenticals have tried to infer they're "natural" and safer.

I think too that the "Bioidenticals" label has been used by herbalists to try an compete against herbalists selling "estrogenic properties" products that are criticized as being too different to work well. I know when I first decided I had to take some bigger steps toward transitioning, I looked at these "estrogenic properties" products too; though I researched the products and saw what they really were and I never bought any. My HRT is all big pharma made.

Hugs,
'lissa