Regarding Herbals, Phyto-Estrogen, and Transgender HRT

So,
I wanted to post this in response to some issues that have come up, and address some concerns.

For those of you who don't know,
Some types of plants contain a plant hormone known as Phyto-estrogen.

Some people take phyto-estrogen in varrious forms for either hormone replacement for menopause, or for a natural approach to HRT for trans. folk.

Phyto-estrogen is not Estrogen. However when ingested, it does get assimilated into actual estrogen by the body.

Currently the only way to come accross this compound is to get it in capsule form from the natural foods store or such herbal place.

I have seen two forms:
One, a version of plant extracts in a liquid (presumbably alcahol of some sort [the traditional tincture method]) in capsule form.
The other, a blend of powdered herbs that contain high concentrations of Phyto-estrogen along with other traditional "womens herbs"
Also in capsule form.

Let me say right off the bat that I have used these with some success.

However there are some people who are opposed to their use, and even go so far as to say they are dangerous.

I will present their argument here as clearly as I understand it.

There are three main points.

1, that are unregulated, and variable (even if slightly) in their dosage levels, thereby they do not trust them as well as a capsule of micro-measured pharmaceutically made prescription estrogen.

2. That they are ineffective. People who say this discuss how the effect received from, say one herbal capsule, does not equal the effect of say one prescription Estrogen capsule.

3 That they are expensive. They cite how along with not comparing equally in dosage effect 1-to-1 with prescription capsules, the jar of herbals is also expensive, per dose needed for effective effect.

4. That they are dangerous. The primary arguement here is that due to the higher number of capsules needed for effective dose, one is also taking a higher dose of any other compounds found in the supplements. Of which some are not always known.

So, I thought that I'll take a moment to address these concerns as someone who uses herbal Phyto-estrogen.

1. That they are unregulated and variable in their dosage levels.

This is true in a sense, however 36 milligrams of dried, powdered mint is 36 milligrams of dried, powdered mint.
The kind of variations involved depend on how the plant was grown, however due to the low dosage levels of each capsule, the kind of variation we are talking about would be in the thousandths of a milligram. Hardly an overdose concern if you ask me. The danger here implied that if you took one too many, that "one" might contain an abnormal amount that could "send you over the edge"
Due to the extremely low variable we are talking about, I find this highly unlikely unless someone was VERY sensitive to some particular compound.

2. That they are ineffective, and do not equal the effect of prescription estrogen dose for dose.

This is a mixed bag. there are two assertions here. The dosage inequalities and their effectiveness.
I will address the dosage inequality first.
This is true. The dosage needed for the same effect of one prescription estrogen is much higher. Several at least. depending on the brand and milligrams per capsule, and what herbals were used. Usually brands have consistency within their brand.
The reason for this is because we are dealing with herbal substances, not refined chemically extracted drugs. A plant has as much phyto-estrogen as it has.It is not made up of 100% phyto-estrogen. So if you want more, you have to take more. A drug does consist of mostly what it is. Usually pure whatever, mixed with placebo (sugar) for dosage. Add capsule material if you like. Which means if you want more effect from an herbal you have to take more than you would if you were just using a drug version. Does this make them effective?
That depends. If you realize the inequality of the dose and do not expect beer to act like whiskey, per volume, then yes, they are quite effective. But you do have to take more.

3. That they are expensive.

This is basically true. One bottle of 120 powdered herb capsules that I take costs around 16 dollars. Ive seen the same bottle go for 20.
A bottle of 60 liquid capsules of another brand costs between 22 to 28 dollars, however IS much more potent than the powdered herbals ones. So yes. expensive. Very actually.

4. That they are dangerous. Once again, the primary argument being that due to the higher number of capsules needed for effective dose, one is also taking a higher dose of any other compounds found in the supplements. Of which some are not always known.

There [i]is[/i] some validity to this hypothesis. However, empirical experience has shown that I have not met anyone who has had or seems to know anybody who has had a bad side effect from taking Herbals.
I do think this should be investigated further, however I also think it is too far to conclude that they are dangerous, when the evidence suggests that they are not. I believe this deserves further study. There is also the fact that some of these "other" compounds in plants have been shown to be often beneficial, and complimentary. My favorite classic example of this is Asprin. When extracted from willow bark, the process used to make asprin, removes the buffers in the bark which aid safe absorption. Hence the later creation of Buffrin. Plants contain other things such as enzymes which help the body digest, as well as often contain other compounds that are also beneficial to the same cause. Compounds that are not present in prescription versions (such as buffers).

Conclusion:
Although I respect the opinions of others, I want to point out that all of these four arguments apply not only to Herbal Phyto-Estrogen, but to all herbal supplements as well.
It is the classic argument between Herbal users and Pharma users:
the pharma people accuse the Herbals of being unregulated, varriable, hence unstable; and the herbal people accuse the pharma-drugs of not containing essential compounds needed for safety as well as being commonly toxic, and not as safe as historically proven herbs.

So: the thing is, they both have good points. And most moderate people I know tend to use both, and not rely solely on one or the other
Doctors are split about this as much as the rest. some are either/or and some advocate both for different things.

Really it's up to you.
As far as Phyto-Estrogen is concerned, They can be effective, IF you are willing to shell out lots of cash.
I am.
and so I use them.
There are inherent risks involved with either.
I will probably end up using both as I like having the ability to adjust what I take to fit my body's needs on a daily basis.
Flexibility that a prescription alone, doesn't offer.

It's up to you though.
I would advise against calling one or the other dangerous, especially when they both are. And are both not.
There are risks inherent to both.
As well as benefits inherent to both.

What is appropriate for you depends on which benefits outweigh which risks.
Which risks are acceptable to you, and which are not.
Remember: Lots of sane people advocate and use both.

-thank you for your time.
-Sarah