1. Does Bio-Identical Hormone Compounding Help Alleviate Symptoms of Unbalanced Hormones? Julie Bryant Undergraduate Student Biology Department Tennessee Technological University Cookeville, TN

2. Introduction • Hormones are very potent substances • Initiates and governs growth, development, and mental & physical functions • This changes when hormones become unbalanced due to aging and physical & emotional stress (Grimes, 2002) • Symptoms of Hormone Imbalance: • Depression, hot flashes, irritability, low libido, memory lapses, mood swings, night sweats, and weight gain • Bio-Identical Hormones: • Compounded at a pharmacy to match a woman’s individual needs based on their test selection to alleviate the unwanted symptoms

3. Objective/ Hypothesis • The objective behind this experiment is to determine if compounded bio-identical hormones help to alleviate symptoms of unbalanced hormones

4. Methods & Materials • Each test subject was given a hormone checklist to determine what kind of unbalanced hormone symptoms they were having • List contained symptoms a woman would have if her hormones were unbalanced

5. Data Sheet 1 Check Which Symptoms Pertain to you. ____ Hot Flashes ____ Mood Swings ____ Night Sweats ____Heart palpitations ____ Cystic ovaries ____ Acne ____Heavy menses ____ Foggy Thinking ____ Depressed mood ____Fibrocystic breasts ____ Irritability ____ Headaches ____ Thinning skin ____ Uterine fibroids ____ Bone Loss ____ Urinary incontinence ____ Vaginal Dryness ____ Weight Gain ____ Increased body/facial hair

6. Methods and Materials • Checked hormone levels at beginning of experiment using a Saliva Test • Saliva Test is convenient, inexpensive, and accurate means of testing hormones (Gambiacciani, 2004) • Checked hormone levels to see if the test subjects progesterone levels rose during the experiment -Saliva testing was done at 4, 8, & 12 weeks during the experiment • Each subject was given another hormone checklist at the end of the experiment to determine if there hormones symptoms had lessened or completely disappeared

7. Results • Hormones significantly increased in all subjects from the beginning of the experiment compared to when they were tested at the 12 week mark • All subjects were not in optimal range (500-3000 pg/ml) at the beginning, however, all but one did reach the optimal range by the end of the experiment

8. Results

9. Results

10. Discussion • Conventional hormone replacement therapy (HRT) composed of either estrone or estradiol, with or without progestins carries an unacceptable risk of breast cancer, heart attacks and strokes (Shepherd, 2002). • I propose a more rational hormone replacement therapy using bio-identical hormones in dosages based on true needs as determined by saliva testing.

11. Discussion • In addition to proper hormone balancing, other important risk factors are described, all of which are potentially correctable. • Combining hormone balancing with correction of other environmental and lifestyle factors is our best hope for reducing the present risks of breast cancer, strokes and heart attacksalong with those unnecessary symptoms of unbalanced hormones.

12. Conclusions • Hormones levels did increase in all test subjects upon using the bio-identical hormones that were compounded • After the subjects completed the last hormone checklist of symptoms, there were significant declines in there symptoms as well as some disappearing completely

13. Conclusions • So, upon conclusion of this experiment I can say that I have proven my hypothesis which stated that the bio-identical hormones will lessen the symptoms of unbalanced hormones

14. Literature Cited • Gambacciani, M. 2004. New HRT options for the treatment of menopausal symptoms and the maintenance of quality of life in postmenopausal women.Endocrine 24(3):231-8. • Grimes DA., Lobo RA. 2002. Perspectives on the Women's Health Initiative trial of hormone replacement therapy. Obstet Gynecol. 100(6):1344-53. • Hendrix, SL. 2003. Hormone therapy: evolving concepts.Curr Opin Rheumatol 15(4):464-8. • McKerns KW. 1963. The regulation of adrenal function by estrogens and other hormones. Biochim Biophys Acta. 71:710-8. • Romero, M. 2002. Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy-Customizing care for perimenopausal and menopausal women. Adv Nurse Practice 10(11):47-8, 51-2. • Sheperd JE., Bopp J. 2002. Pharmacy-based care for perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. Journal of the American Pharmacy Association 42(5):700-11 • Stevenson, JC. 2004. Hormone replacement therapy: review, update, and remaining questions after the Women's Health Initiative Study.Current Osteoporosis Rep. 2(1):12-6.

15. Thank You!