Natural Vs. Synthetic Estrogen

Menopause is a time of life when a woman's hormonal system undergoes major transitions in terms of menstruation and childbearing abilities. Hormone therapy is a form of treatment used to address the hormonal changes and resulting symptoms during this time of life. The use of natural versus synthetic estrogens has more to do with a drug's effects than how the drug is formulated.

Identification

• Menopause is a time when a woman's ovaries produce decreased amounts of estrogen and progesterone. In effect, menstruation and fertility functions within the body come to an end. These hormonal changes can cause imbalances to occur in other areas of the body. Mood swings, hot flashes and vaginal dryness are some of the symptoms that accompany menopause. Hormone therapy is a common treatment used to correct these imbalances. When considering natural versus synthetic estrogen treatments, natural drugs are the ones most compatible with a women's body chemistry, whereas synthetic estrogens are manufactured according to standard formulas.

Synthetic Estrogens

• Synthetic estrogens are sometimes referred to as bioidentical hormones. These drugs are created in a laboratory, but their formula is based on the structural and chemical design of naturally occurring hormones in the human body. The word synthesis actually refers to how the drugs are manufactured rather than the source from which they came. Bioidentical hormones like Synthroid and Estrace are derived from plant compounds. Women who opt to undergo bioidentical hormone therapy submit saliva and blood samples. These samples provide the information needed to manufacture a hormone replica of what their body produces.

Natural Estrogens

• Natural estrogens are also created inside a laboratory, but the materials used are actual hormones derived from a biological organism like a horse, or a plant. Premarin is labeled as a natural hormone, though the type of estrogen contained in it doesn't resemble the kind that the human body produces naturally. Genistein is another natural drug that's derived from plants like soy and red clover, though the molecular shape of this estrogen is also different from human estrogen.

Cyclic Effects

• While natural estrogens may seem like the logical alternative when compared to synthetic types, there are other factors to consider as well. A normal menstrual cycle is regulated by hormonal secretions that follow a certain biological rhythm. As a result, the structural compatibility of bioidentical hormones may or may not restore the body's natural rhythms. Saliva and blood testing can help with determining the molecular structure of a woman's hormones; however, hormonal levels can fluctuate throughout the day during menopause.

Considerations

• Balanced hormonal function in the body is a delicate system that requires specific levels and specific concentrations of each hormone. A feedback system works to coordinate hormonal secretions in response to different conditions within the body. As a result, any disruption or incompatible material can impede the body's ability to create a natural balance. In effect, the addition of natural or synthetic estrogens can possibly worsen the body's hormonal balance. Metabolic imbalances or nutritional deficiencies can also play a part in regulating hormonal levels at any age. In some cases, nutrient or herbal therapies may be all that's needed to restore normal hormonal levels.