BIOIDENTICAL HORMONES

"Bioidentical hormones" is a marketing term used for custom compounded hormones. 

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Many types of hormone therapy are available for you to use for your menopause symptoms. These include hormones that are manufactured to be identical to the naturally occurring hormones produced by your body. Although the term "bioidentical hormones" often is used to refer to these identical copies of natural hormones (typically prescribed as custom mixes or compounds for an individual), bioidentical hormones is a term invented by marketers and has no clear scientific meaning.

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These products not only contain the active hormone(s) but also other ingredients to create a cream, gel, lozenge, tablet, spray, or skin pellet. Healthcare providers who prescribe bioidentical hormones often claim that these products are safer and more effective than clinically tested and FDA approved hormones. They also may assert that bioidentical hormones slow the aging process. There is no scientific evidence to support any of these claims.

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FDA approved hormone products are required by law to come with a package insert that describes possible risks and side effects. Custom-compounded hormones are not required to come with this information, but this does not mean they are safer. They contain the same active hormones (such as estradiol and progesterone), so they share the same risks.

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Custom-compounded hormones allow for individualized doses and mixtures; however, this may result in reduced efficacy or greater risk. These compounds; however, individually mixed recipes are not tested to verify that the right amount of hormone is absorbed to provide predictable hormone levels in blood and tissue. If you have a uterus, there are no studies showing that the amount of progesterone in these custom-mixed hormones is enough to protect you from developing uterine cancer.

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The right dose of hormones for you is the lowest dose of estrogen that treats your menopause symptoms combined with enough progestogen to protect your uterus from cancer. It is not necessary to check blood, urine, or saliva hormone levels to find the right dose.

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If you prefer to use hormones for your menopause symptoms that are identical to the hormones you produced naturally before menopause, ask your healthcare provider for FDA approved products containing estradiol and natural progesterone. There is no benefit to using custom-compounded hormones, and there may be additional risks.

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Compounded hormones are rarely the best choice.