Bio-identical hormones have the same chemical structure as the naturally occurring hormones which are produced in the body and are derived from diosgenin, which is sourced from Mexican yams.
They are 100% identical in chemical structure to our own hormones, and their effects and benefits replicate them closely. Synthetic hormones, on the other hand, have a chemical structure that may be similar to, but not exactly the same as, the hormones produced by the body. These chemical differences can mean that synthetic hormones act differently in the body and can produce different effects.
Bio-identical hormones can therefore be very beneficial to patients who have a hormone imbalance or have previously tried other hormonal medications, including HRT, and experienced unwanted effects.
Men and women can benefit from bio-identical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) because it can provide relief from a wide range of symptoms experienced during the menopause, andropause and other hormone-related conditions such as premenstrual syndrome (PMS), postnatal depression, endometriosis and menstrual problems.