Question :-I’m an ex-pat American living in the UK…my sister back home is taking bioidentical hormones & swears by them

I am trying to find information about this possible alternative in the UK, but am having trouble locating much about it over here. Can you point me in the right direction with regards to bioidentical HRT, please? I appreciate any info you can provide!

Reply:- Bioidentical hormones are hormones that are ‘identical’ to human oestrogen hormones on a molecular basis.

These hormones are typically isolated from natural sources such as soy beans and yams, but are modified so that they are just like the human hormone.

The drug is not widely used here but it might be worth asking your GP about dosage and use of.  Diet is the best form of phytoestrogen’s intake this includes Soya Yams green vegetables, pulses.

A selection of herbs listed are noted for there hormonal balance effect

Black Cohosh (Squaw root) is a member of the buttercup family, used by the Native American Indians - hence square root. It balances female hormones, containing important constituents that reduce the concentration of Lutenising Hormones, which in turn decreases the balance of Progesterone in favor of oestrogen; it may well act on oestrogen receptors. It can have a calming effect to the nervous system and be an excellent antiseptic to ease muscle cramps.

Sage (Salvia officinalis) grown in the Mediterranean originally, is now part of the vegetable and herb garden and is used to enhance the taste of food. Sage is known as a phyto oestrogen, although not containing oestrogen it possesses the potential of influencing oestrogen activity in the body. Sage can prevent sweating and combined with increased oestrogen activity can help with hot flushes.

Agnus Castus Its hormone-regulating effect is also useful in the peri-menopausal phase to help settle fluctuating hormones.

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