Bioidentical estrogens are plant-derived exogenous estrogens that are biochemically the same as

endogenous ovarian estrogens. Bioidentical estrogens can be available either as an FDA-approved

prescription product, or they can be obtained from compounding pharmacies that are not federally
regulated for purity, potency, efficacy, or safety of hormones. The benefits and risks of estrogens in
general apply to all synthetic as well as compounded and FDA-approved bioidentical preparations.

Phytoestrogens (plant oestrogens) are substances that occur naturally in plants. They have a similar
chemical structure to our own body's oestrogen (one of the main female hormones), and are able to
bind to the same receptors that our own oestrogen does. They do, however, behave differently to
female oestrogen and this depends on the oestrogen's environment (eg, whether a woman is in her
reproductive years and has higher oestrogen, or is postmenopausal with lower oestrogen), how they
bind to the oestrogen receptor and particularly to which oestrogen receptor they bind to.

What can phytoestrogens do for your health?

To a limited extent, phytoestrogens could serve as a type of natural hormone replacement therapy.
This is especially the case with phytoestrogen supplements.

Because they mimic your body's own estrogen, phytoestrogens accomplish some of the same things.

Acne treatment

Treating acne with phytoestrogens may also be possible. The idea is that estrogen counters
androgens (male hormones), which can contribute to acne in women.

In a perimenopausal or postmenopausal woman, when her own body's oestrogen is low,

phytoestrogens may help ease the symptoms of low oestrogen in about one in three women. This is
because about a third of the population has the specific gut bacteria that can metabolise the
isoflavones (a type of phytoestrogen) in soy to a more potent phytoestrogen called equol. The
amount of isoflavones needed daily to achieve therapeutic effects is contained in about 200g of tofu,
or 100g of tempeh.

Because phytoestrogens act similarly to estrogen, they may counter androgens and relieve or
prevent acne as a result. Some research supports this, but more is needed.

50mg of soy isoflavones =

About 200g tofu

About 100-150g of tempeh

About three cups of whole bean soy milk

About 100g of cooked/canned soybeans

n recent years, synthetic estrogen has received a bad rap for negative side effects. This includes
increased risks for obesity, cancer, reproductive disorders, and birth defects in pregnant women.

While phytoestrogens are natural and seem safer, they act in the same way. They may create the
same risks. These include:
changes in hormonal cycles

difficulties with lactation

increased risk of breast cancer

increased risk of endometriosis

increased risk of endometrial cancer

increased risk of nonviral toxic hepatitis

increased risk of uterine fibroids

More research is needed to understand the full extent of what phytoestrogens do. Thus far, a diet
rich in plant foods poses only health benefits. There are no known health risks from eating more
plant foods.

Avoid taking phytoestrogen supplements in high doses and over long periods, just to be safe. Talk to
your doctor before taking a phytoestrogen supplement or considerably upping your phytoestrogen
intake.

Some herbs are high in phytoestrogens and can be taken in supplement form. Supplements may
have higher levels of phytoestrogens than foods, so talk to your doctor before taking them.

The most significant and notable sources are:

angelica

black cohosh

broccoli

carrots

chaste tree berry

coffee

dong quai

evening primrose

legumes (beans, peas, peanuts)

licorice root

oranges

red clover
soy (tofu, tempeh, miso, soymilk)

tea

https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/natural-therapies-supplements/phytoestrogens

Evidence from rigorous randomised controlled clinical studies to support the efficacy of extracts of
black cohosh rhizome in relieving menopausal symptoms is lacking; two studies have reported a lack
of effect for black cohosh preparations on certain primary outcome variables (see Pharmacological
Actions; Clinical studies). Further investigation to assess the effects of well-characterised black
cohosh preparations in well-designed randomised controlled trials involving sufficient numbers of
participants is required.

There are mixed reports in the research as to whether black cohosh is an effective treatment option
for menopausal symptoms. A recent review of clinical trials of black cohosh has shown there was no
significant difference between this herb and hormone replacement therapy in some trials. This
review also stated that black cohosh has no significant benefit over placebo for the control of
menopausal symptoms generally. However, in combination with the herb St John's wort it was
shown to improve menopausal symptoms.[2] Another review of 16 clinical trials which involved
2,027 perimenopausal women taking black cohosh for an average of 23 weeks, showed there was no
significant difference between black cohosh and placebo (dummy pill) in the frequency of hot flushes
or menopause symptoms as scored by a questionnaire, and that hormone therapy was more
effective than black cohosh in reducing hot flushes and menopausal symptoms. The author
concluded there is need for further research into black cohosh, as the quality of the research has not
been up to standard to test the effectiveness of this herb.[3]

The key ingredient in evening primrose oil is gamma-linolenic acid (GLA)—an omega-6 essential fatty
acid that helps strengthen the skin barrier, reduces moisture loss, and causes the anti-inflammatory
effects that can calm some of the lesions associated with acne, as well as the redness. Our bodies
can't make GLA, but Mattioli says we can get it from other sources, including evening primrose oil.

Hormonal acne is very common among teenagers who go through hormonal restructures as they
reach adulthood, meaning that EPO can be very effective in dealing with their acne.

Typically, women go through regular periods of hormonal fluctuations (during menstrual cycles,
menopause, etc.) which can cause hormonal acne breakouts.
Soy isoflavones exert both estrogenic and/or antiestrogenic effects depending on the compounds
and target tissues, interacting with estrogen receptor, blocking the binding of potent estrogens
and/or regulating target genes expression

Being a weak form of estrogen, isoflavones can compete at estrogen receptor sites, blocking the
stronger version naturally produced by the body from exerting its full effect. Since high blood levels
of estrogen are an established risk factor for breast cancer; weaker forms of estrogen may provide
protection against this disease.

What Have We Learned?

Red clover has not been clearly shown to be helpful for any health condition.
Most research indicates that taking red clover does not relieve menopause symptoms such as hot
flashes.

What Do We Know About Safety?

No serious side effects have been reported in studies that evaluated red clover for various health
conditions for up to a year.

Because red clover contains estrogen-like compounds, there’s a possibility that long-term use would
increase the risk of women developing cancer of the endometrium (the lining of the uterus).
However, short-term studies of women who have taken red clover have not shown harmful changes
in the uterine lining.

Red clover may not be safe for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, for children, or for
women who have breast cancer or other hormone-sensitive cancers.

You’ll see people using DIM as an estrogen blocker, but that’s not exactly how it works. Your body
will continue to produce the estrogen it would have produced without DIM

More accurately, DIM works two ways. First, it blocks the enzyme that converts testosterone into
estrogen. Second, it converts bad estrogens into good estrogen metabolites.

There’s a bit of controversy as to whether 2-hydroxyestrone (2-OHE1) causes cancer or prevents it.
It’s tricky because so many other factors go into DNA damage and tumor formation. So far, evidence
points to 2-OHE1 as a cancer preventive.

Healthy levels of 2-OHE1 are associated with:

Lower body fat and more muscle[1]

Higher quality collagen in the skin and joints[2]

Healthy bone density[3][4]

Proper cholesterol levels (in animal models)[5]

Hormonal acne results from an imbalance of good estrogens, bad estrogens, and testosterone.
When you supplement with DIM, it works to prevent the bad estrogen pathways and strengthens
the good estrogens and testosterone. When everything is in balance, you skin will have the proper
support to stay clear and healthy.