(Note: I wrote this blog with my friend, Dr. Lindsey Berkson)
We can’t live without hormones. Hormones have much more to do with the body than just controlling reproductive actions. In fact, hormones control every bodily function, which includes the neurological, cardiovascular systems as well as the kidneys and even our vocal chords. In order to achieve optimal health, we need our hormones properly balanced on all levels. When hormonal pathways are disrupted, disease and disorder sets in.
In our toxic world, hormonal pathways are often disrupted by synthetic hormones, which are found in our food, medicines, and the environment. Over the last 20 years, many scientific articles have proven the effectiveness and safety of bioidentical, natural, hormones. Bioidential, natural hormones refer to substances derived from plant products that are exact copies of our own hormones in structure and function. During that same time period, many physicians began prescribing bioidentical, natural hormones in order to help maintain optimal function of the endocrine system in their patients.
Unfortunately, conventional medicine has consistently relied on using synthetic hormones such as Premarin® and Provera®. Many conventional doctors still prescribe synthetic hormones today. Synthetic hormones are foreign substances to the body. This practice continues even though countless studies have found these foreign substances are associated with severe adverse effects including an increased risk of breast cancer as well as blood clots and heart attacks and less severe effects such as weight gain and gallbladder disease.
On the other hand, bioidentical, natural hormones do not have these adverse effects. In fact they are often protective against these issues. And natural hormone therapy, by improving multiple bodily systems, has been shown repeatedly to allow many women to stop taking many drug therapies including statins, as well as medications used to treat hypertension, depression, osteoporosis, and sleep disorders.
More and more holistic practitioners are starting to prescribe bioidentical, natural hormones. As the public became more aware of the hazards of synthetic hormones, they have naturally gravitated to the use of natural, bioidentical hormones. Needless to say, this trend does not please The Big Pharma Cartel. In order to counter the trend of more people using natural, bioidentical hormones, The Big Pharma Cartel petitioned the FDA to remove bioidentical hormones from the market place.
However, compounded estrogen has been made for nearly 80 years. Bioidentical, natural hormones can be easily “compounded”–a term for manufacturing a prescription individually by a trained pharmacist. The FDA’s actions are not based in factual science. Rather, the FDA is trying to help The Big Pharma Cartel dominate the natural hormone marketplace by getting rid of their competition—in other words, eliminating compounding pharmacists.
For over 30 years, from 1970 up to the early 2000’s, women (and doctors) were told by The Powers That Be (e.g., American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology as well as the American Academy of Clinical Endocrinology) that conventional hormone replacement therapy (HRT) was effective for preventing heart disease. Furthermore, women were assured that conventional HRT would not increase their risk of cancer. This happened even though many studies during this time period showed that conventional (synthetic) HRT significantly increased a woman’s risk for breast cancer and heart disease.
Then, in 2002, the world was turned upside down when the Women’s Health Initiative found that the use of synthetic hormone replacement therapy—Premarin and Provera—were associated with significant increased risk of breast cancer, heart disease, strokes and blood clots. (1)
Now everyone knows better—or at least they should. More and more studies have found that bioidentical, natural HRT—using natural progesterone, estrogen and testosterone–does not increase the risk of heart disease, breast cancer, blood clots, or stroke. In fact, natural HRT is the one of the most effective treatments for protecting the brain from dementia and dementia-related illnesses. As emergent science is showing that natural, bioidentical hormone replacement is the one intervention that enlarges hippocampal volume, that part of the brain that stores memories and shrinks before cognitive decline. Furthermore, natural HRT has now been shown to protect against premature death and heart disease. (2)
No matter how many conventional medical associations warn against bio-identical or natural hormone replacement, a new survey from American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) (2015 Annual Meeting: Abstract O-8. October 19, 2015) clearly shows that doctors prefer bioidentical, natural hormones over synthetic hormones. Today, almost 60% of clinicians write scripts for them. Why wouldn’t any physician use a natural hormone as it is safer and more effective than a synthetic hormone?
This increased awareness and prescribing trend of physicians to use natural, bioidentical hormones has not gone unnoticed by Big Pharma. In fact, Big Pharma wants to profit from this paradigm shift.
A new Big Pharma company, TherapeuticsMD, has been formed which contains members from the old Big Pharma Company (Wyeth) that manufactured synthetic hormones. TherapeuticsMD is manufacturing a bioidentical, natural hormone called Replenish®. (3) It contains bioidentical forms of estrogen and progesterone. Interestingly, according to the company’s abstract, they actually claim that natural hormones are proven to be safe and protective. Keep in mind that for many years Big Pharma was busy trying to prove that bioidentical hormones were ineffective and dangerous.
Let’s follow the money and the players:
The study on REPLENISH® was funded by TherapeuticsMD, Inc. Many of the employees of TherapeuticsMD, Inc. were employees of Big Pharma Cartel founding member Wyeth which made Prempro®—the synthetic HRT that was found to cause significant increases in blood clots, breast cancer, strokes, and heart disease.
How long should hormones be taken?
Many doctors that have used bioidentical hormone replacement for decades have seen that it keeps women and men healthy as long as they take it. However, the conventional group NAMS (North American Menopause Society) has consistently stated that HRT should be prescribed for the shortest time period possible in order to minimize adverse effects.
We have a better idea: Don’t use conventional HRT–Prempro–ever. Then you won’t have to worry about serious adverse effects. If you are going to use a hormone for any condition, it should be a bioidentical, natural version of a hormone such as natural progesterone, estrogen, or testosterone.
A new Finnish article showed that hormones need to be taken “life-long”, not short term, to lower mortality timing by preventing heart attacks and strokes. This study was presented at the North American Menopause Society (NAMS) this October 2015. And, guess what? Big Pharma partially funded this session. Why? You can probably guess this one by now—Big Pharma is soon going to market their new natural product Replenish®. Once the emerging news gets out that hormone therapy is optimal and safe for many decades to come, Big Pharma wants to be the one to supply and make money from it.
How do they do that? By eliminating their competition.
Enter in the best friends of the Big Pharma Cartel: The FDA.
Over the last decade, the FDA, working under the commands of Big Pharma, has been actively trying to eliminate all compounding pharmacies. The FDA states that compounding pharmacies are dangerous, unregulated and use items that are too complicated to compound. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Compounding pharmacists are skilled professionals at mixing bioidentical hormones to a doctor’s prescription. In our practices, we (LB, and DB) have successfully used compounding pharmacies for over 30 years. In fact, a compounding pharmacist should be part of the health team when natural, bioidentical hormones are prescribed. A knowledgeable compounding pharmacist can provide a wealth of experience for both the doctor and the patient. Furthermore, they provide an invaluable service at manufacturing a safe product that is unique for that particular patient.
Natural, bioidentical HRT is a safe and effective treatment that has many clinical uses. Dr. Howard Hodis, MD, from the atherosclerosis research unit at the University of Southern California at Los Angeles, is a physician/scientist who stated, “These are irrefutably consistent data that say that hormones lower mortality — and the message is, you stop, you die.” (4)
Individualized hormone replacement provides technology that safeguards against premature dementia, aging and even early death. (5)
There is a tsunami of aging folks who need to keep their hormones balanced. It’s critical, to live better and longer, to be educated about the benefits of natural HRT and the dangers of synthetic HRT. We have each written a book about natural, bioidentical hormones. For more information we refer you to: The Miracle of Natural Hormones by David Brownstein, M.D. and Safe Hormones, Smart Women by Dr. Lindsey Berkson.
Be informed to stay empowered.
Dr. Berkson’s website is: http://drlindseyberkson.com/
Dr. Brownstein’s website is: www.drbrownstein.com
- JAMA 7/17/02. Vol. 288, No. 3
- J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2015 Sep 28:jc20151864
- Maturitas. 2015 May;81(1):28-35. doi: 10.1016/j.maturitas.2015.02.266. Epub 2015 Mar 9.
- North American Menopause Society (NAMS) 2015 Annual Meeting
- Obstet Gynecol. 2014 Nov;124(5):947-53. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000000461.
Great post, thank you!
I am taking bio identical Thyroid hormones (Thyroid Erfa) and here in Denmark, doctors and endocrinologist tell met that NDT are dangerous and especially during pregnancy. (I am in week 16, everything goes well so far) Any thoughts/ comments about NDT and pregnancy?
Desiccated thyroid hormone is one of the oldest medications used in Western medicine. It has a track record of over 100 years of use–and during that time has been used in pregnant women. It is a safe and effective hormone for pregnant women. To say otherwise is fallacious.
DrB
Dr. Brownstein, is there any reason to discontinue
Use of cortisol in therapeutic low doses when one becomes pregnant?
Very much appreciate your opinion. Med has helped a love one to be more even tempered and possibly to become pg finally!
Ellie
Cortisol is safe (I think) to take during pregnancy. I do not believe there are contraindications. However, I have not delivered babies in a long time. It is best to confirm this with your gynecologist.
DrB
There is no doubt that the bio-identical hormone industry has its share of quackery. But, if patients and doctors are informed and find it useful, I don’t have a problem with that.
But let me warn every person reading this blog….be VERY careful if you are taking a supposedly sterile injectable product compounded by a compounding pharmacy. Very few compounding pharmacies know what they are doing in this regard. And the consequences can be deadly. Google “NECC meningitis” and see for yourself. NECC was a compounding pharmacy. They killed over 60 people and infected hundreds more with just one of their products.
There are many other examples of compounding pharmacies that buy some basic equipment and think they can produce sterile injectables. At least 90% of these pharmacies cannot properly compound sterile products. I’m an insider, and there is no chance I’d want to inject into my own body an injection compounded by a compounding pharmacy. The risks are real, not just trumped-up charges of an overzealous FDA.
Agree. However, many injectable, FDA-approved drugs have caused great harm as well. Remember the heparin scandal. If the FDA was doing its job, many drugs would not be on market.
DrB
Dear Dr. Brownstein:
My naturopath moved to a different office and the office no longer takes my insurance, therefore, I found another naturopath who was also trained at Bastyr University as well and I like her style. My T3 came back higher and the new naturopath would like me to consider going on Levothyroxine (T4 only) since I don’t need more T3 using Armour Thyroid.
My original naturopath had me take 50 mg of Armour Thyroid since February 2015 with selenium to help with conversion of T4 into T3. Apparently, that worked and now I have more T3 than I need.
I read all your books and all the testimonies and I am very skeptical to use anything except bioidentical hormones. Besides, now all my tests came back great and I feel great.
I told my new doctor that I would like to take a blood draw at the end of December and would stop using selenium with my Armour Thyroid until then to see if the T3 level come back to normal.
Question:
1) I have not found a bioidentical hormone with just T4. This is what I would prefer. Can a compounding pharmacist make up a pill with just natural, bioidentical T4? I can’t find an answer in my reading.
2) If I just continue to use 50mg of Armour Thyroid and make no changes, what are my risks if I have too much T3 floating around? I can’t find an answer in my reading.
Thank you, Dr. B.
Martha Grazioli
You mention the importance of checking one’s iodine levels. I have used the dried urine test to determine my mine. It is done by ZRT laboratories. Do you think it gives reliable results?
I agree that there is a conspiracy. I do believe there is a better way to balance hormones, but it can be time consuming and cost a lot of money because insurance will not pay for it. Getting your body to produce the balance amount of hormones is the best way to go, such taking supplements to support the adrenals and thyroid and brain glands.
HI, I take bioidentical hormones estriol/progesterone/testosterone 2X a day. I need these or my blood pressure is like 90/43. Estriol helps circulation in the brain. The progesterone helps sleep, helps thyroid medicine get into the cell and makes estrogen receptor sites more sensitive. Testosterone helps lower swelling from the estriol and helps energy/sex drive and makes skin less saggy baggy.
I also need cortisol/Synthroid/Amour thyroid/LDN/Vit B12 methylcobalamin shot, Vit C IV and glutathione, EDTA/DMPS IV chelations…… which come from compounding pharmacies. I pray the compounding pharmacies and all they make are protected. I need this kind of help to stay on this earth.
I have Lyme disease now and also need Cryptolepis from a compounding pharmacy.
I appreciate your great articles that inform people. Yes..Conventional medicine is trying to compete/eliminate Alternative medicine which is their competition and hurt the compounding pharamacies and Alternative doctors. I pray I will always be able to get what I need to be well.
First of all to Ann B, there is a compounding pharmacy in Lansing, Michigan, you may not have to order from Wisconsin. It is called The Apothecary Shop. Dr. B, I am 67 and have been suffering from the effects of extremely low estrogen ever since my OBGYN took me off the hormone patches many years ago. She refuses to use ANY hormones except for Progonol Cream which I have been using now for 2 years, but it has no Estrogen in it.. Is that an artificial Progesterone? I would love to find an OBGYN who would work with me but have been unable to do so. I read your suggestion to ask the compounding pharmacy, and I will do that, since there is one in my town (above). My Naturopathic Physician doesn’t even listen to me. He thinks when my adrenals get straightened out I will be able to make my own hormones (I have very little Cortisol), but I disagree with him. He will not even order a hormone level test. I did have my testostorone tested because of hair loss, which showed an extremely low level of that. He has me taking small doses of DHEA and Pregnenolone. What is your opinion on that? THANK YOU for this vital information for women.
Thyroid medication is also an area where synthetic T4 is far inferior to natural desiccated thyroid replacement therapy, despite what the Big Pharma has been telling our GP’s for ever!
Compounding pharmacies are one way to obtain bio-identical hormones, but not the only way. The human ovary makes 17 beta estradiol and progesterone-both molecules are available by prescription, usually for far less cost than compounded products. I see many women who are spending hundreds and hundreds of dollars for compounded products because they are led to believe it is the only way to obtain bio-identical hormones. Women who have insurance with pharmaceutical coverage can usually use bio-identical hormones with minimal out of pocket expense for co- pays.
I always start with transdermal 17 beta estradiol, in a patch or gel- completely bio-identical, and Progesterone capsules orally before bed. I have no problem using compounded versions of the same, and frequently use my compounding pharmacist when patients have little or no insurance coverage, allergies or other special needs.
Replenish is an oral tablet- oral estrogen goes through the gut to the liver and has been shown to increase stroke/ clot risk. Transdermal ( absorbed through the skin) estrogen shows minimal risk and is the preferred route for estrogens.
Women need to be aware that there are affordable, bioidentical options to Premarin and Provera.
Jan,
Bravo.
DrB
I am a patient of Dr. B. I Take bioidentical, natural hormones from a Compounding Pharmacy in Wisconsin. Dr. B recommended them. They mail them them to me in Michigan. It is all very easy!
Thank you for all your information. I have broached this subject to my MD who is willing to work with me more than other doctors have in the past; however, she won’t touch this with a 10 foot pole. Also, we have very few compounding pharmacies here in this area. Will this product, Replenish, work or is there an art to compounding bioidenticals for individuals? Currently, all I can do is use Progest progesterone cream recommended long ago by the late Dr. Lewis.
Where do the thyroid hormones fit into this discussion?
Thanks.
Dr. Brownstein: I have been on hormone replacement for 12 years now. Currently I am taking Estrodial .05 mg and Medroxyprogestrone 10 days every 3 months. I recently inquired with a dr about changing to natural replacement and was told that would cause heart attack and possibly death. I still have hot flashes and weight gain and infrequent mood swings. I am 66 years old and feel as if I will never get rid of the medication. I have cut the Estrodial to 1/2 tab 3 times a week but cannot quit completely or hot flashes return with a vengeance. Any suggestions??? Thanks in advance for any suggestions. Judy.
Judy,
Medroxyprogesterone (Provera) is a synthetic form of progesterone that is well known to significantly increase the risk for breast cancer, heart attack, stroke, and osteoporosis. There is no justifiable reason for any doctor to prescribe this drug–EVER. Your doctor was slightly misinformed–taking Provera could cause a heart attack and possibly death. Taking natural progesterone will cause neither. You might want to find a doctor who is more informed about both bioidentical, natural as well as synthetic- hormones.
DrB
Exdellent article. Do you think saliva tests are the best method to determine what the bio-identical RX should be?
Thank you very much. Linda
Linda,
I think saliva tests can provide useful information when prescribing hormones.
DrB
Excellent information, Dr. Brownstein! I have informed many of my friends and naturopathic doctor of your books and blog. When my friends read, they are amazed. God bless you a thousand times for your courage and sharing all this knowledge. It is nice to have an advocate on our side who has the experience, intelligence and insight to see through the lies and give us the truth so we can live healthier lives. Thank you so much. The information in your thyroid and iodine books saved my life. I feel like a human being again!!!
Martha,
Wow. I am humbled. Thank you.
DrB
Hi Dr B
I’m 60 year old very healthy and fit I’ve been on bio identical hormone therapy pellet for approximately 5 years the result was fantastic lots of energy, sleeping very well at night etc… And I can’t say enough however!!!! last month I felt pain and around my sides and stomach I went to my Dr. Did some blood and an ultrasound test and found out that my ovary was enlarged by 50%. As soon as I started the iodine the pain was gone and I’m not bloated anymore.
My question would be why, if I was on Bio Idential pellet, did the overy enlarge?
Please I need a scientific answer, if there is any. By the way I took compounded bio identical progesterone as well.
My holistic doctor who has been doing it said she has no answer and her solution is just take it all out. LOL, but now, through your articles I found Iodoral and feel better. Thanks.
Do you think you may have an answer. I could not find- one thanks a million
Magi,
Iodine has many functions in the body. Iodine helps to maintain a normal architecture of the glandular tissues–including the breast, ovary, thyroid, prostate, and pancreas. Iodine deficiency results in cysts forming in these tissues. If iodine deficiency continues, the cysts become hard and nodular. This can lead to hyperplasia and cancer.
Taking hormones in an iodine deficient state will worsen the iodine deficiency that is already present. The key is to ensure iodine sufficiency before or concurrent with any hormone therapy including thyroid therapy.
The short answer is ensure that iodine is replete.
DrB
Does this information include women with hysterectomies?
Mary Lou,
The answer is “yes”.
DrB
In response to C. Buchanon.
A few years ago I had some cysts in my Uterus and had pain and spotting. My Gynecologist wanted to do surgery to remove, she said “it’s no big deal, I’ve had it done 3 times. Well, I didn’t speak to that but thought, well good for you, you don’t mind being cut open 3 times! I went to an acupuncturist who explained to me that cysts are a sign of tissue waste buildup that needs to breakdown so it can be NATURALLY released from the body, similar to a calcium deposit.
I took herbs she prescribed called Resolve (Lower) by Evergreen Herbs, they must be purchased through a practitioner.
My issue was completely resolved within 2-3 months!
I also have taken natural hormones for years and would not be without since struggling with Hashimoto’s and problems that come with. And it was another acupuncturist who was reading DR Brownstein’s book on Thyroid in 2009, that first recommended an iodine protocol for me when others said no, well my body, my choice so it took it. All I can say is WOW!
Felt much better, almost immediately, how about that! I started at about 3mg and over a couple years went up as high as
56 mg per day, have since come way down again. Follow your instincts, always!
I hope this is useful for someone else.
Thank you DR Brownstein for boldly speaking the truth.
Thanks Belinda.
DrB
Thanks Dr Brownstein. I am forever grateful for all of the digging, writing and sharing of the truth that you do. I work with a doctor that is of the same breed as you, tirelessly educating, treating and promoting the truth and helping thousands of men, women and children heal their bodies so that they can live long. It is sad to think that we have been tricked and lied to for the benefit of profits for a few but it is true. I am forever grateful that you are marching on the front lines with us being a true healer, putting the lives of human beings ahead of profits. Research and writing take time and energy away from everyday living but you continue on anyway more concerned with the health and wellness of the masses than with the health of your bank account. Thank you so much for caring and sharing. Together we can make a difference of that i am certain. Together we can help heal a planet and its inhabitants and move into a more balanced caring loving way of life that seems to have become second to profits and racketeering. I will continue on as I have for years sharing knowledge and true health knowing that eventually the population at large will wake up and turn their backs on the money mongers, and instead walk side by side in true health with the men and women of the world that are true healers.
Great great article Dr Brownstein! Thank you. I’m 54 and I am in menopause. However I deviated from my dear mothers path (she took anything the doc recommended including Prempro and Premerin… They know best, right? Don’t question any of it!). I would try to convince her to take other paths, but she didnt. She just turned 78 yesterday, and pretty healthy due to walking 4-5 miles everyday, and dealing with Type 2 diabetes. However, I chose a much more natural method. Read Dr. John Lees book.. What your doctor doesnt tell you about Menopause. His natural Progesterone made sense to me. Besides regular exercise and a healthy diet, its the only thing I take. A dab of Progesterall every morning has been so good for me. Now that I’ve read your article, sounds like I should just continue to use my choice of natural HRT every day for the rest of my life. Its very affordable and when I began testing it on myself, going thru Pre- menopause several years ago, it took a few months but noticed I no longer suffered from PMS mood swings. I’ve never suffered from hot flashes or weight gain or any other side affects you hear about. When I use to get MMograms, they’d always notify that they saw something. I’d go for further tests and 3 times it was false. The doc would say “you have very fibrous breast tissue” but no problems. I figure the fibrous tissue was from years of not getting enough IODINE which I regularly take as a result of reading your articles. What can I say, I love you Dr Brownstein, for caring, for not following the mainstream big pharma, and for fighting on behalf of those who would prescribe pharma garbage just because they get kickbacks or are afraid to consider the REAL facts. Thank you.
I have been on BHRT (progesterone and E2 and E3) for the past three years. I have seen an increase in vascularity on my yearly thermascan. From what I have read online, this might be due to the estrogen (E2 and E3) I am taking. Any thoughts?
Amy,
You might want to have your iodine levels checked.
DrB
Dear Dr. Brownstein,
I read your article with great consternation as I am about to go to Florida specifically to get bioidentical hormone treatment. Am I correct in now assuming that this will now be impossible due to FDA prohibition?
Thanks so much for all your helpful information
R,
Not impossible, yet. However, if the FDA has its way, compounding pharmacists will be out of business.
DrB
Dr. Brownstein,
For about 10 years I was on what my gynecologist said was a natural hormone, Activella, and every year i was finding more and more cysts in my breasts and would always have to get a second mammogram and have my cysts drained. I also was only sleeping 3-4 hours a night. Searching for an answer I went to a holistic MD and was put on an Estradiol patch and compounded progesterone. I saw an immediate improvement. I was sleeping soundly through the night and I never had another breast lump. After about 2 years I had some breakthrough bleeding and my holistic MD advised me to see my gynecologist who did a hysteroscopy and finding nothing but a 2nd degree prolapsed uterus told me to wait a few months since I had been under a lot of stress and see if things didn’t improve. He also told me prometrium is a natural hormone and my insurance would cover it so why not switch to that. I have been on the prometrium for about six months now and I find I do sleep but my sleep is broken up with very disturbing dreams. I don’t think this is the same as the compounded progesterone at all. I am also still having the breakthrough bleeding ( really just a little spotting) and my gynecologist said I may have to have a hysterectomy. I read your blog all the time and value your opinion. What do you think of all of this? Is prometrium a bio identical hormone? Do I need a hysterectomy or are there exercises I can do to help support my uterus?
C,
Prometrium is a bioidentical hormone. I can’t answer whether you need a hysterectomy or not, but you should have your iodine levels checked.
DrB