Biest 50/50 (Estradiol + Estriol)
- Estradiol is the most potent form of estrogen and is typically used to relieve common menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and mood swings.
- Estriol is a weaker, "safer" estrogen that has less of a stimulating effect on estrogen-sensitive tissues like the breasts and uterus. Estriol is often used to reduce the risk of certain types of cancer, especially breast and uterine cancer, compared to other forms of estrogen.
Progesterone
- Progesterone is often prescribed alongside estrogen in women who still have their uterus (as opposed to women who have had a hysterectomy). This is because unopposed estrogen can increase the risk of endometrial hyperplasia (thickening of the uterine lining), which can lead to endometrial cancer. Progesterone helps balance estrogen and prevent this.
- Progesterone can also help with symptoms like anxiety, sleep disturbances, and mood swings, and it can promote a more natural, balanced sleep cycle. It is often preferred over synthetic progestins (the synthetic form of progesterone) because it is more similar to the body’s natural progesterone.
Hormonal Balance: Biest 50/50 (estradiol + estriol) provides two forms of estrogen, and progesterone is used to counterbalance these estrogens in women who still have their uterus. The combination helps prevent the risk of endometrial cancer, which is a concern when using estrogen without progesterone.
Safety Profile: Estriol, being a weaker form of estrogen, is thought to have a lower risk of stimulating the breast and endometrial tissue compared to estrone or estradiol alone. This makes Biest 50/50 particularly appealing for women who want to use bioidentical hormones and avoid some of the risks associated with synthetic estrogens.
Symptom Relief: The estradiol component of Biest 50/50 provides effective symptom relief for hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, and mood swings. Progesterone can help counteract estrogen’s potential effects on mood and reduce anxiety, while also supporting a healthy sleep cycle.
Bioidentical Hormones: Both Biest and progesterone in their bioidentical forms (as opposed to synthetic hormones) are structurally identical to the hormones naturally produced by the body, which may be preferred by women seeking a more "natural" HRT option.
- Endometrial Protection: If you have a uterus, the combination of Biest 50/50 with progesterone protects against the risk of endometrial hyperplasia or cancer by ensuring that progesterone is present to oppose the action of estrogen on the uterine lining.
- Symptom Management: This combination can help with hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, mood swings, and sleep disturbances. Additionally, progesterone can help reduce anxiety, irritability, and improve sleep quality, which are common menopausal symptoms.
- Lower Risk of Cancer: Estriol is considered less likely to stimulate breast tissue or the endometrium compared to estradiol alone, so using Biest 50/50 in combination with progesterone may have a somewhat safer profile for long-term use compared to other forms of estrogen.
- Mood and Cognitive Benefits: Progesterone is also thought to have neuroprotective effects, supporting mood stability, memory, and overall mental health during menopause.
- Progesterone Side Effects: Common side effects can include dizziness, fatigue, breast tenderness, headaches, or bloating. Some women may also experience mood swings, depression, or irritability.
- Biest 50/50 Side Effects: While generally well-tolerated, Biest 50/50 may cause side effects such as headaches, nausea, weight changes, or breast tenderness. Estradiol can also increase the risk of blood clots, strokes, or heart disease, though this risk is lower with bioidentical forms.
- Endometrial Health: If you have a uterus, not using progesterone with estrogen can increase the risk of endometrial hyperplasia and cancer. This is why progesterone is critical when using estrogen in women with an intact uterus.