Bioidentical Hormone Treatment

Bioidentical hormones are hormones that are created in a laboratory to mimic natural hormones. The hormones typically are made for women in menopause looking for hormone replacement therapy. The bioidentical versions can be customized for individuals or patented by drug companies as one-size-fits-all synthetic hormones.

Safety

• Bioidentical hormones are thought to be safe by some, as they are all natural and easily metabolized in the system; because they are compounded individually, the FDA cannot regulate the hormones.

Anti-aging

• Men and women are using bioidentical hormone treatment to help stave off the effects of aging.

Compounding

• After a saliva or blood test, the healthcare provider writes a prescription that must be filled at a compounding pharmacy, where the pharmacist creates the customized medications.

Types

• The bioidentical hormones can be made into pills, but often are prescribed as creams that enter the bloodstream through the skin.

Efficacy

• While controversy surrounds its use, the Mayo Clinic reports that it has not seen proof that bioidentical hormone replacement therapy is any better than pharmaceutical hormone replacement therapy.