The Truth About Bioidentical Hormones
Podcast with Dr. Hugh Wegwerth
What This Episode Is About
In today’s podcast, Dr. Hugh talks about something important that many women are confused about — bioidentical hormones.
You’ll learn:
- What they are
- Why they’re safer than you’ve been told
- How they help your brain, bones, mood, and more
- Who should use them — and who should not
Why Hormones Matter More Than Ever
- Women today are living longer than ever before
- You might spend 40% of your life in menopause!
- Hormones like estradiol, progesterone, DHEA, and pregnenolone help keep you sharp, strong, and feeling young
What Happens When Hormones Drop?
Without enough hormones, women may experience:
- Hot flashes
- Trouble sleeping
- Brain fog or memory problems
- Mood swings or low mood
- Vaginal dryness
- Low sex drive
- Weight gain or blood sugar issues
The Real Difference: Natural vs Synthetic
Natural Hormones (Bioidentical):
- Made to match your body exactly
- Come from plant sources
- Fat-soluble (better for your cells)
- Examples: Estradiol, Progesterone
Synthetic Hormones (like Premarin and Progestins):
- Made from horse urine or in labs
- Water-soluble (harder for your body to use)
- Linked to more side effects
The 2002 Study That Scared Everyone
- A big study in 2002 used synthetic hormones in older women
- Most were already in menopause for 10+ years
- Results caused fear, but data was misunderstood
- Newer research shows starting early (perimenopause) is much safer and more helpful
What the Science Says Now
When taken early, even synthetic estrogen helped women:
- Lower their risk of heart disease
- Reduce breast cancer
- Improve memory
- Cut risk of diabetes
- Prevent bone fractures
Who Should Be Careful With Hormones?
You may not be a good fit for hormone therapy if you:
- Smoke
- Have uncontrolled diabetes
- Had blood clots or heart disease
- Are very sedentary or have autoimmune issues
Good News: You Can Get Started Safely
Over-the-counter options (no prescription needed):
- Estradiol cream
- Progesterone cream
- DHEA supplements
- Pregnenolone capsules
Only testosterone needs a doctor’s prescription.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
- What the 2002 hormone study got wrong
- Why bioidentical hormones are different and safer
- When to start hormone therapy
- How to feel better, sharper, and stronger — naturally
Want the full research?
The PDF is linked in the show notes or visit Dr. Hugh's website at www.drhughwegwerth.com.
Remember:
Where there’s hope… there’s healing.
You don’t have to suffer anymore. Let’s get you better.
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