NATURAL HRT

The History of Natural HRT and Custom Compounding
What is Custom Compounding?
How are Natural Hormones made?
Natural Hormones: Their place in Modern Medicine

The History of Natural HRT and Custom Compounding

Before the pharmaceutical industry took over the manufacturing of nearly all drugs, all pharmacists were compounding pharmacists. But by the 1980s most pharmacists had been relegated to the role of "pill counters" that perform a function almost capable of a vending machine (Wright and Morgenthaler 1997: 116).

The industrial revolution of the 19th Century brought about significant changes to many industries. The medical/pharmaceutical industry was no different. Mass production and mechanization inevitably brought about a bulk-producing, "one-size-fits-all" mindset amongst pharmacists and physicians alike. However, throughout the 1930s and 1940s, compounded items accounted for approximately 60% of all medications dispensed.

Mass production boomed through the 1950s and 60s, bringing a steady decline in compounding. The pharmacist's role in all this changed from the preparer of medications to "pill-counter" and dispensary.

During the 1980s, and even more so in the 90s patients and physicians revisited the merits of specifically tailored, compounded medications. These compounders are also known as "problem-solvers" and often perform an integral part in the treatment of ailments, combining innovative compounding techniques and modern technology to meet specific patient needs. This resurgence in individual patient care stems from the motto, "treat the patient, not the condition", and reflects the current social trend towards individualism.

In 1936, Japanese researchers drew similarities between diosgenin - extracted from wild yam - and human adrenal hormones. These compounds were also remarkably similar to the precursor molecule, cholesterol.

The major breakthrough came about in 1943, by Professor Russell Marker of the University of Pennsylvania. Marker had heard of certain plant substances being used by the "medicine men" of tribes in Central and South America, and that certain wild yams were being used for birth control and to treat specific feminine problems.

Marker returned to America and presented a bag of white powder and claimed it contained Progesterone that he had extracted from the Barbaso-yam.

Because yam-based hormones are Bio-identical, they cannot be patented by anyone. It is legally impossible to claim ownership of these hormones because everybody is producing them every day within their own bodies.

Without the ability to patent the safer, effective alternative, pharmaceutical companies have had no interest in promoting Bio-identical hormones. In fact, fearing a drop in their market share, these companies have made a concerted effort to block their availability to the public. Unfortunately, these companies have exerted their considerable influence over the medical industry to prevent research into, and the education about NHRT. For these companies, it is more profitable to mass-produce patentable synthetic hormones, despite the best interests of the patient.

John Lee MD, of Sebastopol, California, has carried out perhaps the most extensive research on Natural Progesterone. He says that synthetic progestins carry unwanted side effects because "it is not Progesterone". Pharmaceutical companies alter the molecule of Progesterone so that it no longer represents the human molecule, and thus is patentable. Progesterone taken from yam, Lee explains, is identical to what the body produces. It is therefore readily accepted by the body, and the body easily converts it to the molecule that it needs.

What is Custom Compounding?

Mass-production of medication means limited strengths and dosage forms, aiming at the average rather than the individual's needs. Many individuals require dosages that are not available by this "shot-gun" form of treatment, and are therefore seeking customized alternatives.

The Menopause Clinics of America has the ability to individualize treatment. This is particularly important in the area of hormone imbalance, as no two people are the same.

The factors that necessitate custom-prescribed medication for hormone imbalances include:

• Patients with Daily Hormone fluctuations
• For lowering and preventing side effects from over or under dosing.
• Giving the patient at the absolute minimum dose of what they require.
• Allowing doses to be specifically adjusted and monitored, determined by fluctuating symptoms.

By working with the patient, the Menopause Clinics of America can provide the highest level of care. With the ability to individualize doses we are in the unique position to maintain higher patient compliance, as well as provide outcomes  specific to their needs.

How are Natural Hormones made?

Natural hormones are produced in a lab and are derived from diosgenin, a chemical compound found in yam and soy. These hormones are prepared as per an individualized prescription by a doctor, by a specialist pharmacist.

Natural Hormones: Their place in Modern Medicine

There are two statements that place BHRT into perspective:
Hormones do not decline because we age - rather we age because our hormones decline. BHRT is not the secret to the fountain of youth; it is the secret to the fountain of youthfulness.

Decline in key hormones is the primary cause of Menopause. The symptoms experienced by patients (Hot Flashes, depression, sleeplessness, drying skin) are the body's reaction to this sudden decline. Natural, Bio-identical hormones allow low dose treatment that reduces the risks of side effects attributed to synthetic treatments.

The goals of BHRT are to alleviate the symptoms usually caused by the natural decrease in production of hormones by the body, and to bring balance back to the body's hormonal balance. Another goal of BHRT is to imitate the body's natural processes as much as possible, by doing this doctors believe will limit most of the unwanted effects and long-term risks of the traditional synthetic hormone replacement therapies.

*other than long term use and anecdotal evidence supported  by the high level of patient satisfaction and absence of litigation and fatalities, there is no long term studies that have been done to prove the absolute safety or lack of side effects of BHRT.