Is bioidentical estriol oil safe?

March 28, 2024

Bioidentical estriol oil is a significant development in the world of hormone supplementation. While it’s exciting to consider the potential health benefits of this hormone oil, it’s equally imperative to look at the safety and health concerns. This article explores the health and wellness benefits of estriol oil and dives into possible health concerns.

Understanding Bioidentical Estriol Oil  

Bioidentical estriol oil is a kind of hormone therapy that’s proven effective in treating all types of women’s health issues. Unlike traditional synthetic hormones, bioidentical hormones chemically mirror those naturally produced in the body. Estrogen is an essential woman’s hormone and comes in three distinct bioidentical types. Estriol is the least potent estrogen and is commonly used in bioidentical formations. 

Due to its gentleness and the positive way it interacts with estrogen receptors to alleviate menopausal symptoms and other conditions like systemic lupus erythematosus, it’s commonly used in hormone therapy. This apparent affinity to estrogen receptors makes bioidentical estriol oil a transforming option for those looking for a natural approach to hormone balance and overall well-being, especially when looking at concerns related to women’s health.

Bioidentical Estriol Oil Formulation 

Bioidentical estriol oil formulation is a process similar to all bioidentical hormone oils. It involves extracting and changing plant-based compounds into hormones identical to ones produced in the human body. The process begins with using soybeans or wild yams for estriol oils since the structure is similar to human steroidal hormones. The specific sterols are extracted from the plants and used as the base for hormone synthesis. 

These are then converted into bioidentical hormones using a series of chemical reactions to change the plant sterols to match the exact molecular structure of human hormones, such as estriol, estradiol, progesterone, or testosterone. 

Once this happens, the bioidentical estriol becomes synthesized into an oil base, resulting in the final hormone supplement. The estriol oil helps aid hormone absorption when applied to the skin. 

Potential Health Risks of Estriol Oil 

Concerns about hormone replacement, in general, are always a question for most people. Estrogen has a well-known relationship with some forms of breast cancer due to having a positive estrogen receptor that may help to grow cancer. What this means is that breast cancer may develop in response to high levels of synthetic estrogen.

However, estriol oil, unlike synthetic hormones or anabolic steroids, is bioidentical and designed to chemically match the ones produced in the body. In addition, estriol is a weaker form of estrogen. It generally has a higher safety profile than traditional hormone supplementation. Still, the risk level depends on the person’s overall health profile, age, lifestyle, and other essential factors.

Estriol Oil and Heart Health

Estriol oil has many benefits, and one of them is heart health. Randomized controlled trials looking at estriol and heart disease studied the impact on cardiovascular health. 

It’s possible that estriol can influence the levels of cholesterol and other lipids in the blood. Clinical trials indicate estriol may lower the LDL (low-density lipoprotein) or “bad” cholesterol while increasing HDL (high-density lipoprotein) or “good” cholesterol in the body. A healthier level of HDL is connected with a lower risk of heart disease. 

Estriol may also enhance blood vessel function, improving circulation and normalizing blood pressure. This, in turn, reduces the risk of atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries. 

Another healthcare benefit for the heart is the anti-inflammatory effect of estriol. Chronic inflammation is a high-risk factor for heart disease, and estriol, with its anti-inflammatory properties, may reduce the overall risk of cardiovascular problems.

Impact on Hormonal Balance and Endocrine Health 

When we look at hormonal imbalance and endocrine health with estriol, we must also look at dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). DHEA is a precursor hormone for estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. Precursor means that DHEA converts to these hormones and directly impacts estriol hormone balance and endocrine health. Therefore, the levels of DHEA in the body directly influence the balance of these sex hormones. 

DHEA is produced in the adrenal glands, an integral part of the endocrine system. As one of the most abundant steroid hormones in the body, the function of the adrenal glands is crucial for maintaining optimal levels of DHEA. If the adrenal glands become impaired, this can lead to adrenal insufficiency, resulting in lower levels of DHEA and estriol. This can lead to hormonal imbalances and all the symptoms associated with this condition. 

Estriol Oil Hormone Replacement Therapy

Both DHEA and estriol oil hormones are used in hormone replacement therapy, but for different reasons. Estriol boosts estrogen levels in the body, while taking DHEA provides a broader range of support for bodily functions since it is the base for all the sex hormones. In essence, DHEA delivers a synergistic effect with estrogen to provide a wide range of hormone support. 

Muscle and Bone Health 

Estriol oil can potentially boost bone mineral density, body composition, and muscle strength. Due to its estrogenic properties, it may preserve muscle mass and provide an anti-aging effect. 

One of the most recognized benefits of estrogen is its positive effect on bone health. 

It can maintain and potentially increase bone mineral density and reduce the risk of osteoporosis due to declining estrogen levels. Women have a higher risk of postmenopausal osteoporosis due to the dramatically decreased levels of estrogen that come with menopause. 

Body composition is the distribution of fat and lean muscle mass. Estrogenic compounds like estriol impact body composition. Estrogen deficiencies during menopause can lead to higher body fat, particularly around the middle of the body, and less lean muscle.

Estriol Oil and Sexual Health

Estrogen is a primary sex hormone that helps regulate fertility and overall sexual health. Lower levels of estrogen may result in poor egg quality, leading to miscarriages and the inability to conceive. 

For women going through menopause, low estrogen levels result in poor sexual function, resulting in a lower sex drive and feeling inadequate. All of which can have a direct effect on personal relationships. For men, it can result in erectile dysfunction. 

Estriol Oil and Cognitive Function

It’s no secret that aging can result in impaired cognitive function. Estriol has been studied for its potential effect on mental health, and one result is the neuroprotective effects. Estrogen may help protect neural tissues from damage, reduce brain inflammation, and support neural connection growth. 

Estrogen also plays a role in memory and cognition due to its potential in aiding memory and learning tasks. This is even more important for postmenopausal women since the decline of estrogen is a natural part of this transition.  

Another area of cognitive health that estrogen plays a role in is mood regulation. Fluctuating estrogen levels are connected to mood instability and an imbalance in emotional state, which directly affects cognitive health. 

Estrogen therapy research shows that estriol may also help treat neurological conditions like multiple sclerosis (MS). This also suggests that estriol may help with other neurological disorders as well. 

Key Takeaways

Bioidentical estriol oil is essential when treating everything from menopausal symptoms to overall cognitive health. Since it’s a milder form of estrogen, it has a lower safety risk and health profile. In essence, bioidentical estriol oil is safe. Yet it can pose risks, and each person should evaluate whether it’s right for them based on their needs and doctor’s advice. 

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