What is the difference between Natural/Bio-Identical and Synthetic Hormones?
Natural hormone replacement refers to the use of hormone supplements that are bio-identical to those that are naturally produced by our own endocrine glands. Synthetic hormones are the results of pharmaceutical “tampering” with the molecular structure of the natural hormones. These synthetic derivatives are patentable by the pharmaceutical manufacturers, while naturally occurring hormones are not. These patentable synthetic hormones are then marketed to the medical profession as somehow better than their naturally occurring parent hormone. An example of this is Provera ,a synthetic derivative of progesterone. This drug is widely used by Gynecologists and Family Doctors for treatment of menstrual and menopausal bleeding disorders and combined with synthetic estrogens for postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy. There is actually no reason for this drug existing. It offers absolutely no advantage over natural progesterone in any treatment situation. In fact, it is poorly tolerated by
