How Are Bioidentical Hormones Different From Steroids?

Menopause is a time of a woman's life when her body undergoes hormonal changes that can significantly alter her quality of life. Mood swings, hot flashes and weakening bone formations are some of the effects experienced. Bioidentical hormones and steroid drugs are two types of hormone therapy used to restore hormonal balance within the body.

Hormone Therapy

• Estrogen, progesterone and small amounts of testosterone are the hormones that regulate a woman's reproductive system. During menopause, hormonal changes take place as a woman's reproductive system shuts down. Hormonal imbalances result in the symptoms so often associated with menopause. Hormone therapy works to replace missing hormones and restore hormonal levels in the body. The difference between bioidentical hormones and steroids lies in how they are manufactured and what formulas they are modeled after.

Bioidentical Hormones

• Bioidentical hormone therapy is an alternative treatment approach that specializes in manufacturing custom-made hormones according to individual body chemistry. These prepared medications are sometimes referred to as "synthetic" hormones, however the formulas used to make them are based on naturally occurring hormones found in the body. The term "synthetic" refers to the synthesis process used in the lab. Plant compounds are synthesized into medications that resemble human hormones in molecular shape and function. This resemblance is intended make bioidentical hormones compatible with the chemical processes that take place in the human body.

Steroid Hormones

• Steroid hormones used to treat menopause symptoms include estriol, estradiol and DHEA. Steroid hormones are also manufactured within a laboratory setting, however the formulas used are different than those used for bioidentical therapy. These hormones are derivatives of animal estrogens which differ in molecular makeup and function from those found in humans. Standardized formulas are used in the making of these drugs. Steroid hormone replacement therapy is currently endorsed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a standard treatment for hormonal imbalances. As of 2009, bioidentical therapy has not received this endorsement.

Molecular Structure

• The primary difference between bioidentical hormones and steroid hormone is the biochemical make up of the drugs. Bioidentical hormones are intentionally designed to be replicas of human estrogens, progesterones and testosterones, whereas steroid hormones contain animal-type versions of these chemicals. In addition, the human-based formulas are tailor-made to match the hormone-molecular structure of each individual patient. Individual saliva and blood samples are used to determine each person's biochemical makeup. Some steroid medication brands incorporate bioidentical formulas; however, these are added ingredients and are not manufactured according to individual body chemistry.

Considerations

• The FDA has not endorsed bioidentical hormone therapy because of its use of customized formulas. As each prescription will vary according to individual needs, no regulations can be assigned for dosage amounts, safety guidelines or effectiveness, whereas steroid prescriptions can be regulated. In terms of hormone compatibility, bioidentical hormones may be comparable in molecular structure, however, obtaining accurate saliva and blood samples can pose a dilemma. Hormone levels are known to fluctuate on a daily basis during menopause. As a result, saliva and blood samples can only provide information on a woman's hormone levels during a certain time of the day. These levels may or may not reflect her overall biochemical makeup.