BHRT

Bioidentical hormones are defined as man-made hormones that are very similar to the hormones produced by the human body. These are then used as a treatment for men and women whose own hormones are low or out of balance.

What are bioidentical hormones?

Hormones are special chemicals made by parts of the body called glands. They are messengers that tell other parts of the body how and when to work. Hormones control almost all tasks in the body. These include sex and brain function, growth, and the breakdown of food. When hormones are out of balance, symptoms can occur.

Bioidentical hormones are defined as man-made hormones that are very similar to the hormones produced by the human body. Common hormones that are matched are estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. These are then used as a treatment for men and women whose own hormones are low or out of balance.

Some prescription forms of bioidentical hormones are pre-made by a drug company. Other forms are custom-made by a pharmacist based on a doctor’s order. This is called compounding. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a number of preparations of bioidentical estradiol and progesterone, which are molecularly identical to the structure of the hormones generated by the human body.

They have been through testing for safety and purity and to be sure each dose has the same amount of hormones. The compounded forms have not been tested and approved by the FDA. Though it is often advertised that products that are made from plants like soybeans and yams are “natural” choices, they are altered greatly in a lab so are no longer natural when done with processing.

Both the FDA-approved and compounded hormones come in a variety of doses and routes of delivery (pills, creams, gels, sprays, and vaginal inserts).

Customized bioidentical hormones are often advertised as being a safer, more effective, natural, and individualized alternative to conventional hormone therapy. However, these claims remain unsupported by any large-scale, well-designed studies.

Also, the lack of FDA oversight for compounded hormones generates additional risks regarding the purity and safety of custom compounded bioidentical hormones.

Although custom hormone combinations often include blends of the same ingredients found in FDA-approved bioidentical hormones (i.e., plant-derived 17β-estradiol or micronized progesterone), some custom compounded preparations include additional hormone varieties (i.e., estriol, pregnenolone, and DHEA). These additional hormones have not undergone adequate testing and are therefore not included in any FDA-approved products.

Why are bioidentical hormones used?

As men and women age, the levels of some key hormones in the body go down. These include estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. This can lead to certain symptoms. Some are very common in women who are past the age of having periods (menopause). Some common effects of low hormones include:

• Hot flashes
• Night sweats
• Vaginal dryness
• Loss of interest in sex
• Pain during sex
• Problems sleeping
• Loss of energy
• Fatigue
• Loss of muscle mass
• Weight gain
• Foggy thinking
• Mood changes
• Memory loss

The treatment is to replace the hormones that have been lost with hormone therapy. As a result, hormone levels will increase and symptoms will improve. Currently, national societies and expert recommendations state that the risks and benefits of conventional and bioidentical hormones should be considered equal. Your doctor can discuss with you the variety of options available, and guide therapy based on your preferences.

How common are bioidentical hormones?

The use of the compounded type is very common in the U.S. in women in menopause. The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) reports that about 1.4 million women are using this treatment. NAMS notes that that is 40% of all prescriptions for hormone therapy in women who are in menopause. The number of men using this treatment is not noted.

How are bioidentical hormones given?

There are many ways to get bioidentical hormones. These include pills, patches, creams, gels, shots, and implanted pellets. Your doctor will decide which method is best for you. You may try more than one way before you find one that works well for you.

How does my doctor select my dose?

People on hormone treatment are watched very closely by their doctors. Most often, doses are adjusted according to a patient’s symptoms and needs, with the goal of keeping the dose to the minimum required to achieve your goals.

Depending on your doctor, you might have routine blood, urine, or saliva tests to check your hormone levels. A doctor may adjust your dose based on your changing hormone needs.

It should be noted that the FDA recommends against using hormone levels to guide the dosing of hormone therapy in women, as normal levels fluctuate day to day, and vary between patients. In particular, salivary hormone levels are known to fluctuate widely and have not been shown to be related to menopausal symptoms.

Are bioidentical hormones safe?

The bioidentical hormones that have been approved by the FDA have been tested for safety. They have passed the FDA’s very strict standards and have been shown to be safe for people to use. The compounded hormones have not gone through the FDA’s testing. As yet, little research has been done on them. They have not been proven to be safe or unsafe. Many major medical groups do not support using them because not enough is known about their safety and long-term side effects.

Are compounded bioidentical hormones bad?

There are risks to taking compounded hormones. But in some cases, they might be the better choice. They might be needed to get the right source (gel, cream, pill, etc.), dose, or mix of hormones for a patient. Also, a patient might have a bad reaction to the pre-made form. Your doctor will know which type is better for you.

What are the risks of bioidentical hormones?

It has been shown in research studies that there are risks for women who take hormones, called hormone therapy (HT). It can increase the risk of blood clots, stroke, and gallbladder disease. In women who are older, and who use hormone therapy for an extended period, the risk of heart disease and breast cancer may also increase.

Many doctors who use bioidentical hormones claim they are safer than regular HRT. But there have been no large research studies on bioidentical hormones. It has not been shown that they really reduce the risk of these problems.

What are the side effects of bioidentical hormones?

When the FDA approves a drug, the drug company must report any side effects they are told about, including prominently noting it in the paperwork when picked up at the pharmacy. Pharmacies that compound hormones do not have to report drug side effects to the FDA, or provide such paperwork. This contributes to the myth that compounded hormones are safer, when in fact doctors don’t know all of the possible side effects of these hormones.

Side effects can occur when a dose is first given. The body is not used to the new level of hormones. The dose may need to be changed. Some side effects can be linked to a certain hormone in the mixture. Many side effects get better as the body adjusts to the new level of hormones. Some common side effects include:

• Weight gain
• Blurred vision
• Tiredness
• Acne
• Increased facial hair (women)
• Headaches
• Breast tenderness
• Spotting
• Cramping
• Bloating
• Mood swings
• Indigestion

You may itch or get red around the area where you get a shot or where you apply your hormones if you use a patch, cream, or gel.

When should I call my healthcare provider?

Get in touch with a healthcare provider if you have a bad side effect after getting a dose of hormones. If you have a side effect that you cannot manage or does not go away in a short time, your hormone level might be too high.