Hormones that are marketed as bioidentical and natural are no safer than the hormones used in traditional hormone therapy. And there's no proof that they work. And there's no proof that they work best for relieving menopausal symptoms, including hot flashes and vaginal dryness. In addition, some medicines with bioidentical hormones are mixed in a personalized way and their quality can vary considerably. There is also concern regarding bioidentical oral preparations, as there may be inconsistencies in the amounts of estradiol and other estrogen preparations in the composite preparations.
This can increase the risk of venous thromboembolism, as well as increase the risk of endometrial cancer. Using any type of hormone therapy is a decision you and your healthcare provider make after carefully weighing the risks and benefits. Bioidentical hormones have been the subject of controversy and many aren't approved by the FDA, but that doesn't mean your healthcare provider will rule them out as a treatment option. They are designed for the body to use them in the same way as it does with its own hormones.
Bioidentical hormones can be very useful for people who have a hormonal imbalance or who may not produce enough hormones naturally. Compound drugs are in a situation similar to that of manufactured products that are prescribed for uses not indicated on the label, accounting for approximately one-fifth of all prescription drugs. The FDA has not approved its use, and yet it is widely accepted that doctors should be able to use their judgment to prescribe medications for unapproved uses. A doctor is trained and authorized to diagnose diseases and determine appropriate treatment for patients.
A physician uses clinical experience to determine appropriate therapies for patients. Premarin and Prempro may be appropriate for some patients. Bioidentical hormones may be appropriate for others. It is up to doctors to make that determination.
For many patients, manufactured synthetic products are effective, but for some they are not. In some cases, your healthcare provider may recommend not using bioidentical hormones and opting for a more traditional hormone replacement therapy option. The good news, which is often surprising, is that there are many bioidentical hormone preparations approved by the FDA. Bioidentical estradiol, the main estrogen during reproductive age, is available in the form of 17-beta estradiol in several capsules, patches, creams and gels.
Regulated bioidentical hormones are often referred to as “body identical hormones” (rBHRT) to reduce confusion with composite bioidentical hormones (cBHRT). The goal of bioidentical hormone therapy or conventional hormone therapy is to replace these lost or low hormones. Hormones may start as a natural plant-based extract, such as soybeans or yams, but are converted into bioidentical molecules in a laboratory. When they determine that these products are inappropriate, doctors sometimes prescribe bioidentical hormones designed to meet the unique needs of each patient.
However, replacing the hormones you no longer produce with bioidentical hormone replacement therapy prescribed by a doctor can reduce symptoms and help you have a better quality of life. Starting to use bioidentical hormones is a personal decision that you and your doctor can make together. On the contrary, “traditional or non-bioidentical hormones have hormonal actions in the body, but they don't have exactly the same structure as human hormones. In fact, the hormones in bioidentical drugs may not differ at all from those in traditional hormone therapy.
If you use composite bioidentical hormones, customized quantities of hormones manufactured for you are mixed. The term bioidentical means that the hormones in the drug are chemically the same as those produced by the body. So how do doctors determine the type and amount of hormones they give you? In the case of bioidentical compounds, they are often based on an analysis of saliva (saliva). In recent years, the number of private clinics offering composite bioidentical hormone replacement therapy to women has increased, which is a reason of great concern.
