Bioidenrical Therapy

Oprah featured it. Suzanne Somers loved it. And thousands of women have switched to it.

So what is it?

It's called bioidentical therapy - or bioidentical hormone replacement therapy - and it is helping many peri- and post-menapausal women feel better, look younger and live healthier.

What is bioidentical therapy?

In the year 2002, the Women's Health Initiative ended part of its study of conventional hormone replacement therapy because of some previously unappreciated risks that had been discovered. This led to a search for safer alternatives, one of which is called bioidenticals therapy or bioidentical hormone replacement therapy.

Totally identical

Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) is the use of hormones that are molecularly identical to a woman's endogenous hormones. The term BHRT is usually used to describe a group of practices that include the use of compounded hormone mixtures, saliva testing with the goal of restoring certain levels of hormones. This is in comparison with conventional hormone therapy the purpose of which is to provide relief from menopausal symptoms.

What hormones are used in bioidenticals therapy?

The bioidenticals hormones used in BHRT include estradiol and progesterone. Both of these hormones are available in FDA -- approved manufactured products and as pharmacy-compounded products.

Those who believe in bioidenticals therapy have published peer-reviewed articles stating that bioidenticals hormones have a better safety profile than non-bioidenticalss, and can be more effective.

What is BHRT compounding?

In compounding, pharmacies use commercially available bulk drugs to create new formulations that differ in form or dosage from those that are manufactured on a large scale by pharmaceutical companies. These compounded preparations may include estriol, estrone, estradiol, testosterone, progesterone and, occasionally, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA).

Is bioidenticals therapy better then conventional hormone replacement therapy?

This is a very controversial issue as there are no scientific studies supporting the idea that bioidenticals therapy is better than conventional hormone replacement therapy. While bioidentical hormones have been advertised, marketed and promoted as a risk-free panacea that is safer than conventional HRT, there is a lot of skepticism over these claims. Many commentators say that there is just not enough evidence to support them and there is a lack of randomized controlled trials that are required to form firm conclusions.

Much antecdotal evidence

However, there is a good deal of anecdotal evidence that suggests BHRT could be better for some women. So, if you believe that bioidenticals therapy is something that you would like to try, be sure to discuss this with your healthcare provider and your compounding pharmacist. That way you will know both the advantages and disadvantages of this form of hormone replacement therapy.

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