Hormones
What is bioidentical hormone therapy (BHRT)?
Bioidentical hormone therapy uses hormones with a molecular structure identical to hormones the body produces. It may be considered when appropriate after an evaluation, and it is not automatically safer or more natural than other hormone products.
How it is evaluated
Evaluation starts with symptoms, history and appropriate labs such as estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA, cortisol and thyroid markers. Treatment is considered only when the full picture supports it.
FDA-approved vs. compounded
FDA-approved bioidentical products have been reviewed for safety, effectiveness and quality. Compounded hormone preparations are not FDA-approved and are not reviewed by the FDA before they are sold.