Natural estrogens: a review of the primary literature.

Andrew Glasnapp, RPh, FIACP, PharmD Professional Compounding Centers of America, Inc. 9901 S. Wilcrest, Houston, TX 77099 The average age of women at menopause has remained approximately 50.4 years for centuries.1 Thus, women today may spend 30% of their lives with reduced ovarian hormonal concentrations. It is estimated that 75% to 85% may develop symptoms secondary to this hormonal decline that may require some form of hormonal replacement.1 For years this has been accomplished by supplementation with synthetic estrogens. Synthetic estrogens, by definition, are not the same biological chemicals that exist in our bodies from birth but are only imitations that have similar characteristics. Unfortunately, synthetic estrogens also cause many unwanted side effects. Recently natural estrogens have been the topic of much discussion among health professionals. The natural estrogens, which include estrone, estradiol and estriol, are made up of the exact biological chemical composition that has been part of the makeup of mankind for millennia. In theory, treating hormonal deficiencies with natural estrogens should have many benefits over synthetic estrogens. In fact, countless books have been written on the subject and currently many patients do take natural estrogens for hormonal supplementation.