Hormone replacement therapy is an extremely effective way to alleviate menopausal symptoms like hot flashes, mood swings, and fatigue. It can also improve quality of life by restoring sex drive, balancing hormones, and relieving chronic stress. But what many people do not realize is that hormones found in bio identical hormone replacement therapy can have serious side effects when misused or taken for too long. In order to get the most out of BHRT, patients should talk with their doctors about the best hormone dosages and timing for their specific needs.

Despite the widespread confusion and misinformation, women are finding relief from hormonal imbalances through BHRT. But it is important to understand the difference between FDA-approved BHRT and compounded bioidentical hormones, as these can differ in their chemical compositions. The FDA only approves products that are tested and proven safe, but a growing number of physicians are prescribing non-FDA approved hormone preparations known as bioidentical hormones to their patients.

While the term “bioidentical” is widely used in marketing, it does not have a standardized definition. According to the Endocrine Society, bioidentical hormones are compounds that have the same molecular structure as endogenous hormones. This can include estrogens (synthetic conjugated estrogens, plant derived or bioidentical estrogen), progestins, and combination therapies. FDA-approved hormones such as conjugated equine estrogen and medroxyprogesterone acetate have been studied extensively for safety, efficacy, and side effects. But, according to the FDA, bioidentical hormones such as Premarin (a conjugated estrogen derived from the urine of pregnant mares) and bioidentical hormone replacement therapy las vegas nv progestins have not undergone such extensive testing or evaluation.

In addition, many women are confused by the ambiguous nature of the word bioidentical. It can be interpreted to mean natural or synthetic, and the phrase is often used interchangeably with “natural” hormones. But this distinction is misleading because a great deal of hormones that are marketed as bioidentical hormones are actually synthetic.

According to a recent study by the Australian Medical Association, there is a significant lack of education about HRT in medical school programs. This has led to many GPs using compounded bioidentical hormones (cBHT) to treat menopausal symptoms, even though several professional societies and government bodies have strongly cautioned against the use of untested cBHT products.

The authors of the AMA study recommend that all doctors use only FDA-approved cBHT products. They also urge the Therapeutic Goods Administration to follow the lead of the US Food and Drug Administration in regulating this class of medications. In the meantime, they call for greater education among GPs about cBHT and encourage them to refer their patients for appropriate care by specialist doctors in their areas of expertise. This would allow these specialists to spend more time with their patients, ensuring that they fully understand and address their underlying hormonal imbalances. This approach would reduce the risks associated with cBHT and improve its efficacy and safety. Hopefully, this will help to minimize the number of women who experience the potential harms from poorly researched and formulated cBHT preparations.