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They are synthesized from yams and soy in the laboratory to be identical in molecular structure to the hormones made in a woman’s body. Sometimes bioidentical hormone therapy is called “natural hormone therapy”, but that can be misleading, since there are estrogen preparations that are made from the urine of pregnant horses and others from plants, but they are not identical in molecular structure to the estrogens made by a woman’s ovaries. Horse urine and plant sterols are natural … they are just not identical to a woman’s hormones.
The plant derived progesterone creams which are sold over the counter contain too little of the hormone to be effective. Additionally the creams derived from yam extract are of no use to a woman’s body since she physiologically cannot convert them into progesterone. Essentially the over the counter preparations are a waste of money.
Compounded bioidentical hormones on the other hand contain the molecularly identical hormones for a woman’s body. Each prescription should be written in an individualized manner for each woman. The prescription should be based upon the results of a formal blood (not saliva) test evaluation along with a complete history and physical, as well as any other diagnostic tests felt to be important to the comprehensive evaluation of your physiology and health. Every woman is an individual and thus their treatment should be individualized as well.
The prescription and treatment should be overseen by an experienced physician who has been trained to prescribe such therapy. Not by a pharmacist or an internet doctor, but by a credentialed and experienced medical doctor.
The decision to utilize bioidentical hormone therapy is a personal one. It should be made as a team effort between you and the doctor. I would be happy to meet with you and answer any and all of your questions. Given that opportunity, I would consider it a privilege.
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