Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) effectively eliminates the symptoms and health problems caused by low hormone levels.
HRT is usually associated with restoring women’s health and vitality after menopause. However, you might need this treatment when chronic conditions, stress, or other challenges cause hormonal imbalances.
If you need HRT, Chetanna Okasi, MD, at Women’s Wellness MD, prescribes bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. Here are three qualities that set bioidentical hormones apart from synthetic drugs.
There are two types of medications prescribed for HRT: bioidentical and synthetic. Both restore hormone levels, whether treating menopause or other health conditions. However, there are distinct differences between them:
Bioidentical hormones mimic the body’s natural hormones. They have the same molecular and chemical structure, meaning your body identifies and uses bioidenticals the same as if your ovaries produced them.
Synthetic hormones are similar but not identical to those produced by your body. While bioidentical hormones are pure, synthetic hormones often contain various hormones.
For example, if you need estrogen, bioidenticals are primarily estradiol (the principal estrogen made by the ovaries). By comparison, a synthetic medication may contain several precursors, which are forms of estrogen that can convert into estradiol.
Bioidentical hormones come from plants that contain natural estrogens, such as yams. The plant-based estrogens are extracted in a lab and converted into bioidentical hormones.
Synthetic hormones are produced in the lab from animal urine. Labs typically use the urine from pregnant horses (conjugated equine estrogens).
Compounding pharmacies create personalized medications. They customize your bioidentical hormone replacement therapy to ensure you receive the precise dose needed to restore hormonal balance.
Synthetic hormones (and non-compounded, FDA-approved bioidenticals) get developed into tablets, capsules, patches, or creams containing a predetermined dose. This one-size-fits-all approach may or may not meet your hormone needs.
We prescribe compounded bioidentical hormones in the form of tiny pellets. After inserting the pellet under your skin, it slowly and continuously releases hormones, giving you a steady balance that lasts several months.
If you search for information about bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, you likely discover many articles disparaging the treatment.
The most common concern is that the FDA doesn't regulate compounding pharmacies. As a result, compounded medications don’t undergo the same standardized quality, safety, and effectiveness testing as big pharma facilities.
The Maryland Board of Pharmacy regulates individual compounding pharmacists in neighborhood stores. Compounding pharmacists must comply with strict standards to ensure patient safety. Additionally, the FDA can inspect them if a complaint arises.
However, most compounded bioidentical hormones are produced in outsourcing facilities registered with the FDA. The FDA inspects these facilities. They also report adverse events and follow the same quality standards as big pharma companies.
These quality standards, called current good manufacturing practice (CGMP), ensure that facilities are clean and sterile and maintain the highest quality throughout manufacturing and distribution.
Big pharma facilities don’t produce safer products just because they’re regulated by the FDA. They’re frequently cited for not meeting CGMP, often because the FDA found adulterated products.
Additionally, many drug shortages in recent years occurred when big pharma facilities temporarily stopped production due to quality control problems.
Ultimately, you depend on the integrity of the people producing medications, whether bioidentical or synthetic.
Call Women’s Wellness MD today or use online booking to schedule a consultation. We’re here to help if you need relief from menopause symptoms and want to learn more about the benefits and risks of bioidentical hormone replacement therapy.
