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BHRT (bioidentical hormone relacement therapy) and HRT
I went to my endocrinologist for the first time this week. He told me that bioidentical hormone does not exist. I got the transdermal patch, estradiol. Then, I got a consult when I went to the pharmacy to pick it up and the pharmacist said he had never heard of bioidentical hormones for hormone replacement !!! !!! !!! I asked if what I was picking up was estradiol, and he said yes it was. Everyone's talking about bioidentical hormones, for hormone replacement, but my doc and the pharmacist say it does not exist. Can anyone shed light on this? What I got was the Vivelle patch. That may be the wrong spelling.
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Someone please speak up about this ! I heard that maybe BHRT has to be made by a formulating pharmacy- is that true ?
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1 ReactionMine is considered BHRT and is made by a compounding pharmacy.
I use creams for estradiol, estriol, and progesterone.
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2 Reactions@oknowwhatpixie thanks.
Hi, @gargoy. It makes complete sense that you’re confused. You’re hearing one thing but then your doctor and pharmacist are saying something completely different!
Here's where the confusion usually happens:
Technically, the term “bioidentical” means the hormones in a product are chemically identical to the ones your body makes. But in recent years, the term "bioidentical" has been used to describe plant-based custom-compounded hormones from specialty pharmacies.
Compounded hormones aren't controlled by the FDA. Because of this, the quality and safety of these products can vary. There's also no research showing that compounded hormones are safer or better than standard hormone therapy.
You can learn more here:
- https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/hormone-therapy-for-menopause
- https://www.acog.org/womens-health/experts-and-stories/the-latest/menopause-misinformation-is-everywhere-heres-how-to-detect-it
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6 ReactionsWhile compounded hormones aren't controlled by the FDA.
By compounding them there is more control over the types and amounts. When my practitioner first prescribed BiEst (Estradiol and Estriol) I had a reaction to the Estradiol. She was able to adjust the amounts of the two estrogens so that I no longer had a reaction. So much more customized and adjustable.
The FDA approved meds seem to be a one size fits all, which wouldn't work for me.
I've been using BHRT for almost 8 months and for now feel like its the right approach for me.
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3 Reactions@oknowwhatpixie thanks ! Adjusting dosage is SO important !! And, not all compounding pharmacies are equal, so check them out carefully…... (.Time to think out of the box, especially with the current FDA.)
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3 Reactions@nycmusic That does not seem to be true. I am on BHRT and I use the estradiol patch, micronized progesterone pill, and compounded testosterone (because there is no FDA approved version for women). Bioidentical just means that it's the same chemical structure as what we make naturally. Be aware that the major risks associated with HRT are with specific versions, like oral estriol, not estradiol patches.
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4 Reactions@downdog thank you for your very clear answer.