Write-up on bio-identical hormones and dizziness

Not sure if this will be helpful for anyone, but came across this article relating to migraines and hormone balancing. I know a few women were trying the bio-identical approach.

The last paragraph says this-
Sharon’s situation shows first of all, that hormone fluctuations can lead to migraine equivalents, which biologically are related to changes in multiple brain neurotransmitters, which then lead to a state of brain “hyperexcitability”, which then leads to changes in regulation of brain blood flow. In Sharon’s situation, the areas affected centered around the vessels which provide blood flow to the right ear, and without adequate blood flow, she experienced acute vertigo and hearing symptoms. This would also explain why her brain imaging studies and thorough ear examination never led to any abnormalities. The other main point of education in her case is that each person’s situation is different, and that there is NOT a “one size fits all approach” to hormone balancing. Each of the hormone manipulation methods we tried were all bio-identical, yet clearly the formulation and method of delivery to her made a world of difference. I credit a lot of what I now know about hormone balancing to Sharon, as she kept me searching for the right answer and did not give up when her situation seemed discouraging.

This is REALLY interesting…

Does anyone know of any doctors involved in this kind of field in the UK???

MM X

thanks for sharing. I recently went to a specialist in this field. After appt, I had to get a ton of blood work and I return this monday for the results and to go over treatment plan, etc. I am definitely not jumping into anything, but an open to hearing what doc has to say. I have tried many meds to therapeutic doses and nothing has yet helped. I am not by any means giving up on migraine meds, but want to also explore this as I know hormones play a HUGE role for me. I’ll def post of anything positive gained from this avenue.I truly don’t think I can take much more of this torture, so I am hoping so very much that maybe (just maybe) this can help me, while continuing migraine med trials as well.

FYI - excerpt from article on sciencebasedmedicine.org:

Bioidentical Hormones
Published by Harriet Hall under Pharmaceuticals

The Medical Letter recently evaluated “bioidentical” hormones and concluded

“There is no acceptable evidence that ‘bioidentical’ hormones are safe or effective. Patients should be discouraged from taking them.”

“Bioidenticals” include progesterone, estrogens (estriol, estradiol, and estrone), and testosterone. They have mainly been promoted as a safer, more natural alternative to menopausal hormone replacement therapy (HRT), but they are also claimed to increase energy, well-being, and quality of life, and to have an anti-aging effect. Suzanne Somers recommends them for all age groups and both sexes. There is no evidence to support any of those claims.

The whole “bioidentical” thing is a pseudoscientific concept: it is a marketing term rather than a scientifically meaningful one. Bioidenticals are promoted by celebrities like Suzanne Somers, a few maverick medical doctors like Kent Holtorf, proponents of “natural” medicine, patients who were frightened by the Women’s Health Initiative study of hormone replacement therapy, and critics of Big Pharma. The mainstream scientific community is in consensus: a number of medical organizations, from the American Cancer Society to the Mayo Clinic, have issued statements similar to that of The Medical Letter.

The terminology is confusing. Bioidenticals are plant extracts modified to have the same molecular structure as endogenous hormones. But there are FDA-approved Big Pharma hormones that are just as “bioidentical”: they are also plant extracts modified to have the same molecular structure as hormones produced by the ovary. Only one bioidentical hormone, estriol, has no corresponding FDA-approved version. It is only present in large amounts during pregnancy: its safety and efficacy as a supplement have not been tested. Proponents of “bioidenticals” make much of the difference between “artificial” Big Pharma progestins and “natural” progesterone, but that same progesterone molecule is also sold as a prescription drug. (Progestins were originally developed because progesterone is poorly absorbed, but now Big Pharma has developed a micronized version of progesterone that is absorbed adequately.)

One of the biggest concerns is that “bioidenticals” are prepared in compounding pharmacies that are not regulated. The FDA has long been concerned about these pharmacies. In a 2006 survey, the potency ranged from 67.5% to 268.4% of the amount specified on the label, and there were variations within the same samples. Contaminants have also been found, including bacteria. Package inserts describing risks are required for FDA approved products but not for compounding pharmacy products…