Are you experiencing some symptoms of Menopause? Have you discussed with your physician what treatments are available to you?  Were you given the option to use bioidentical hormones? Are you still asking questions?  Let’s unravel the puzzle together.  Read on to find out why bioidentical hormones may be right for you.

 What are Bioidentical Hormones?

 Hormones are chemical messengers that are delivered to the body tissues through the blood. They affect many different processes (growth and development, metabolism, sexual function, reproduction, mood…).  “Bioidentical hormones” refers to substances that have the exact same chemical structure as the endogenous hormones in our bodies: estradiol, estrone, estriol, progesterone and testosterone. These bioidentical hormones are made from botanical plants such as soy and yams. Our bodies cannot convert the plant hormones into human hormones, so the plant hormones are pharmaceutically processed to match our endogenous hormones.

 Bioidentical or Synthetic Hormones?

 Much confusion exists for both women and health professionals over the latest buzzwords “bioidentical or synthetic” hormone therapy.  The word bioidentical is often equated to being natural while in contrast synthetic is equated to being man-made. Synthetic hormones indicate hormones created in a laboratory that do not chemically match the hormones made by our bodies.  Whereas bioidentical hormones match our hormones precisely. Both bioidentical and synthetic hormones are created in pharmaceutical laboratories using chemical means. Also, both bioidentical and synthetic hormones come from natural sources (yams, soy…), and then are manipulated in the laboratory to create either identical or synthetic hormones.

 Why use Bioidentical Hormones?

 Since these have identical molecular structure to our endogenous hormones their effects are more consistent with our own hormones. According to some studies women respond more quickly to bioidentical hormones while finding relief from hot flashes, insomnia and vaginal dryness within a few days of commencing use.   Also, these are not mass produced, they are compounded in pharmacies so they can be tailored to your specific needs.  Synthetic hormones in order to be patented, were created to be different from human hormones. This causes them to interact differently with hormone receptors allowing for a greater chance of undesirable side effects.

Where Are They Available?

Bioidentical hormones are available by prescription, at any compounding pharmacy. The compounding pharmacist individualizes drug therapy at the request of the physician or patient. Usually these hormones are compounded into creams to be applied on the skin (transdermal) or vaginally (transmucomal). They can also be made into oral lozenges, but these require higher doses of hormones since they must pass through the liver and be metabolized which can lead to unwanted side effects.

Are you embarrassed to take off your shoes in front of company? When you take off your shoes do you get the same reaction as lifting the lid from a garbage pail?

Foot odor usually occurs because your feet are overheated, sweat pours from the sweat glands just under the skin and then the bacteria acts upon the sweaty secretions. The best way to stop the smell is to reduce perspiration and get rid of the bacteria.

The first foot odor remedy is to wash away the bacteria with deodorant soap followed up by drying your feet well.

• For extra sweaty feet soak them in a drying solution such as tea (black tea). Place two to four tea bags in a pint of boiling water for fifteen minutes. Pour the brew into a pail filled with two quarts of cool water and soak your feet for twenty to thirty minutes. Do this daily for a week to ten days and after that use only as needed. The tannins in the tea block the pores and choke off the sweat.
• Another foot odor remedy is to soak your feet in half a cup of kosher salt added to a quart of water. After soaking don’t rinse your feet, just let them air dry. Salt has an antiseptic effect as well as a drying effect on the skin.
• Use your antiperspirant or deodorant on your feet. Deodorants contain antibacterial agents that can kill the bacteria and will eliminate the odor but they won’t stop the sweat.  Antiperspirants stop the sweat and eliminate the odor.
• Make sure your socks are made from natural fibers such as cotton or wool which breath and help to keep your feet dry. Likewise, choose shoes that breathe such as leather or canvas. Avoid shoes lined with rubber or synthetic materials.
• Dust your feet, socks and shoes with absorbent powders that contain cornstarch or talc. Deodorize shoes by sprinkling one to two teaspoons of baking soda inside to absorb moisture and hide odors.
• A simple foot odor remedy is to wear shoe inserts containing activated charcoal to help absorb moisture and odor. Change these inserts often.