How To Understand Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy

Hormone replacement therapy in general is a familiar treatment for women who are experiencing symptoms of menopause. If you are experiencing hot flashes, insomnia, sluggish metabolism, vaginal dryness, aging and melancholy, your physician might suggest hormone replacement therapy for you.

With the federal governments’ temporary prohibition on of the use of synthetic hormone replacement therapy in clinic trial in 2002, women and doctors have become wary of the adverse effects of synthetic hormones and are now looking for better substitutes.

One alternative to the synthetic hormones that has been advised by doctors is the bioidentical ("natural") hormone replacement therapy (nBHRT). This form of therapy however has not been widely prescribed by the experts.

Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy is a type of hormone replacement therapy where the hormones are derived from plants unlike HRT, which are produced from synthetic chemicals. Another difference between the two hormones is the fact that the synthetic products are manufactured by pharmaceutical companies with fixed doses while the nBHRT is prescribed in doses relative to each person and prepared by a pharmacist. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not sanctioned the use of bioidentical hormones, but a number of doctors believe that this is better than the FDA prescribed hormone replacement drugs.

Bioidentical hormones are prepared for each individual woman depending on her needs. nBHRT comes in a wide selection that can be administered in the body. It can be given to you as creams, pills, injections, or suppositories. The physician will suggest a prescription, which he or she will prepare depending on the result of the saliva test that he will conduct on you.

You should take note however that bioidentical estrogen and progesterone are also present in FDA sanctioned hormone therapy drugs, such as:

1. Estradiol, like Estrace, Climara patch and Vivelle-Dot patch
2. Natural progesterone (Prometrium)

These FDA approved hormone therapy medicines come in different forms and doses. Because of this, you have the option not to resort to unregulated, custom prepared products as your sole supply of natural hormones.

Doctors who prescribe nBHRT and those who have tested this claim the following to be the advantages of this treatment:

1. The hormones are tailor-made depending on the needs of each woman and not a one pill for all approach to this therapy.
2. The natural sourcing of nBHRT has been touted as a big advantage since it is safer than the synthetic hormones.

Those who are against the use of bioidentical hormone replacement therapy pointed out to the following reasons to avoid the use of this form of treatment:

1. A number of experts argue that no sufficient study has been made to see the long term effect of this mode of therapy thereby it could pose some potential and undiscovered threats
2. The FDA has not sanctioned it although this institution has individually approved a number of compounds used.
3. It has received criticism from some prestigious medical groups or societies.

Some women may be undergoing hormone replacement therapy. You may also consider the bioidentical hormone replacement therapy if the synthetic form does not answer your issues. Consult with your physician who could provide you with the proper therapy you need.