One of the most frequently asked question we get from women is "Should I take hormone replacement therapy?" 

Answering that question is ultimately between you and your health care provider. But here are some essential things you should know about the range of hormone options.  

There are four basic categories of hormones: 

• Bioidentical compounded hormones.  These are hormones made from a natural substance and are bio-chemically identical to human hormones (called bioidentical hormone therapy or BHRT) and then compounded by a pharmacist as a customized dose and in a customized preparation.
  
  Compounded bioidentical hormones can be customized for the individual and meet the unique needs of each woman with lower doses, special combinations, and unique delivery methods.  Compounded bioidentical hormones are prescribed by a health care provider and made by a compounding pharmacy. Many women are better able to tolerate them because they are identical to her hormones and can be delivered in individualized doses.  
  
  Natural, or bioidentical progesterone creams sold over the counter also are available in unique low doses.  Look for brands that contain USP progesterone, have supporting research, and are paraben free.

• Bioidentical pharmaceutical hormones.  Hormones made from a natural substance and are bio-chemically identical to human hormones, as in bioidentical compounded hormones, but now these are made by a pharmaceutical company, in standard doses, not customized formulations, and may include the specific (patented) additive of a binder, filler, preservative, dye or adhesive. (Examples include Estrace, Prometrium, Climara, Vivelle)

• Hormones that are not bioidentical.  These are hormones that include some that are natural  - to a horse - but not bio-chemically identical to a woman's hormones.  Called conjugated equine estrogens, they are manufactured to “act like” human estrogens.  Premarin, made from the estrogens found in pregnant mare’s urine, is an example of this.  Many women experience side effects because the chemical structure does not match a woman’s biological hormone receptors.

• Hormones that are synthetic—not derived from a natural substance and not bio chemically identical.  Synthetic hormones were created by pharmaceutical companies to attempt to mimic the effects of female natural hormones.
  
  For example progestins, such as Provera, are not the same as progesterone, which is the natural female hormone. The difference between synthetic progestins and progesterone is very significant.  For instance, progestins are given to women to prevent pregnancy, whereas progesterone is used to assist fertility. Since progestins are foreign to a woman's body, sometimes they create adverse effects on a woman's brain, blood vessels, skin, heart and breast.  In selected cases however, they may be a necessary option. 
  

In most cases, Women in Balance believes that if a woman needs to supplements her hormones she should work with her health care provider, and only if hormone treatment is needed, choose bioidentical hormones in appropriate physiological doses. More >>   

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