Heteromolecular Artimones (HMA)
Heteromolecular artimones (HMA) are hormone-like drugs whose molecules differ from the hormones the body makes. Dr. Thomas W. Hilgers coined the term as part of NaProTechnology. He used it to set these drugs apart from isomolecular hormones. Those hormones match the body's own molecules.
Examples include norethindrone and ethinyl estradiol, the active drugs in many oral contraceptives. Medroxyprogesterone acetate and conjugated equine estrogens are further examples. Many standard hormone replacement products use these drugs.1
Hilgers documented that these drugs differ from the body's own hormones in kind as well as degree. Synthetic progestins act on androgen and glucocorticoid receptors. Natural progesterone also acts on other receptors. That side action differs in kind and degree. It is mainly antimineralocorticoid.
Conjugated equine estrogens and ethinyl estradiol also differ from the body's own estradiol. The body breaks them down differently. They also act differently in different tissues. For this reason, NaProTechnology holds that the two kinds of drugs cannot be swapped for each other in care.2
NaProTechnology, as Hilgers developed it, does not use these drugs for hormone replacement or pregnancy support. Its cooperative progesterone replacement and cooperative estrogen replacement use only the isomolecular kind.
When oral contraceptives came up in NaPro discussions, Hilgers applied this label to their active drugs. The label shows why these drugs fall outside the NaProTechnology way of treating.3
The HMA label matters in any review of past medications. A heteromolecular hormone acts one way at the receptor. An isomolecular hormone acts another way. This holds even when the two are sold for similar uses.
Clinicians who work within NaProTechnology sort drugs into these two groups. They do this when they review past care and plan restorative hormone support. and hormone replacement therapy.
Cited in this entry
- Williams WV et al. Hormonally Active Contraceptives Part I: Risks Acknowledged and Unacknowledged. Linacre Q. 2021. https://rrmacademy.org/library/hormonally-active-contraceptives-part-i-risks-acknowledged-and-unacknowledged-recrdkj7l2ft6afzf/
- Hilgers TW, Keefe CE, Pakiz KA. The Use of Isomolecular Progesterone in the Support of Pregnancy and Fetal Safety. Issues Law Med. 2015. https://rrmacademy.org/library/the-use-of-isomolecular-progesterone-in-the-support-of-pregnancy-and-fetal-safet-rec9gz3n4iplw6vym/
- Hilgers TW. The Medical and Surgical Practice of NaProTECHNOLOGY. Pope Paul VI Institute Press; 2004. https://rrmacademy.org/library/the-medical-surgical-practice-of-naprotechnology-rectiyuppdjrktphh/
This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult an RRM clinician or healthcare provider for guidance specific to your situation.
