Dear Dr. Northrup, I know you’ve been an advocate of bioidentical hormones for menopausal symptoms, but sometimes you also recommend herbs. I’m confused. How do I know which I should take? Thank for your guidance, Kikoo
There seems to be a lot of confusion around the definition of “natural” versus “bioidentical versus “synthetic” hormones. One thing to remember when making this distinction is that “bioidentical” refers to the shape of the molecule itself rather than the source of the hormone.
The conventional view of what happens at perimenopause is that estrogen levels plummet. This is a gross oversimplification and too often leads to treatment that can make mildly uncomfortable symptoms worse.
Too many women see the hormone therapy decision as an either/or, yes/no decision. It is important for you to know that you don’t necessarily have to choose between traditional HT and alternatives. Think of your perimenopausal support as a smorgasbord. You get to choose what appeals to you at the moment and leave what doesn’t.
