Mother Nature’s Gift: How Bioidentical Hormones Are Made
When it comes to hormone replacement therapy (HRT), many women worry about safety, side effects, and whether they’re putting something unnatural into their bodies. But what if I told you that nature has already provided the perfect solution? Bioidentical hormones are made from plants like wild yams and soybeans, but here’s the amazing part—they have the exact same molecular structure as the hormones your body naturally produces. That means your cells recognize them, metabolize them, and use them just like your own hormones.
How Are Bioidentical Hormones Made?
The process starts with plants that contain a compound called diosgenin. While our bodies can’t convert diosgenin directly into hormones, scientists have found a way to modify it in a lab—transforming it into progesterone, estradiol, and testosterone that are identical to what your body used to make in abundance.
Unlike synthetic hormones, which often have altered structures that can create side effects, bioidentical hormones fit perfectly into your body’s hormone receptors, just like the real thing. This makes them a safer, more natural way to restore balance and support everything from brain function to bone health, metabolism, and mood.
Bioidentical Hormones vs. Premarin: What’s the Difference?
Not all hormone replacement therapies are created equal. While bioidentical hormones match what your body produces, synthetic hormones like Premarin are a different story.
What’s in Premarin?
Premarin (short for PREgnant MARes’ urINe) is made from the urine of pregnant horses. It contains a mix of estrogens, including some that are unique to horses—not humans. The most dominant forms in Premarin, estrone sulfate and equilin, don’t match what your body naturally produces.
Premarin was the original hormone replacement therapy made to treat menopause. Premarin was first introduced in 1942 and quickly became the go-to hormone replacement therapy for menopausal women. By the 1990s, it had become the most widely prescribed drug in the United States, with millions of women using it to manage symptoms like hot flashes and osteoporosis.
How Does Premarin Act in the Body?
Because the estrogens in Premarin aren’t identical to human hormones, they interact with your body differently. Some bind too tightly to estrogen receptors, which can lead to overstimulation and an increased risk of side effects like blood clots and changes in cholesterol levels.
Since Premarin is taken orally, it also has to pass through the liver before it can be used. This first-pass metabolism can raise levels of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), which can affect how much estrogen is actually available to your body.
Why Bioidentical Hormones Are the Better Choice
• Bioidentical hormones are an exact match to human hormones, making them easier for the body to recognize and use.
• They come from plant sources, not animals.
• They don’t overstimulate hormone receptors, reducing the risk of unwanted side effects.
While Premarin and other synthetic hormones have been widely used, bioidentical hormones offer a more natural, safer alternative to support midlife hormone balance. Your body was designed to thrive with balanced hormones—bioidenticals simply restore what’s missing.
Mother Nature knew what she was doing. Let’s trust her wisdom!
Find Karen Martel on Apply Podcast
Karen Martel is a Certified Hormone Specialist and Transformational Nutrition Coach dedicated to empowering women through their health journeys.
As the host of the popular podcast The Hormone Solution, Karen tackles the complexities of hormonal health, weight loss resistance, and the challenges that come with perimenopause and menopause.
Her mission is to disrupt outdated narratives surrounding women's health, providing reliable information and practical solutions that help women reclaim their vitality. With personal experience overcoming her own health struggles, Karen offers insights into hormone optimization and sustainable weight management strategies.
Join her as she engages in enlightening conversations with experts and shares actionable advice, all aimed at helping women navigate their unique hormonal landscapes with confidence and clarity. Tune in to discover how to embrace life's stages while enhancing overall well-being.
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