Understanding Bio-Identical Hormones

When hormone levels drop or become imbalanced, people often seek treatments such as bio-identical hormone therapy to treat the associated symptoms. What does bio-identical hormones mean, and how do they differ from other hormone treatments?

Compounded Bio-identical hormones options

Bio-identical hormones are compounds that have the exact same chemical structure as the hormones naturally produced by the human body. These hormones are typically derived from plant sources such as wild yam and then processed in a lab to match human hormones like estradiol, estriol, progesterone, DHEA and testosterone.

The key point is that bio-identical hormones are molecularly identical to what your body makes. This contrasts with synthetic hormones, which may have a similar but not identical structure, or animal-derived hormones, which come from sources like pregnant mares’ urine. Because bio-identical hormones match the body’s natural hormones, they can bind to hormone receptors in the same way. This means the body recognizes them and can use them effectively to restore hormone balance. Many commercially available FDA products contain bio-identical hormones such as Estradiol patches, Progesterone capsules and Estradiol Vaginal Cream.

Doctors may choose to further customize bio-identical hormone therapy with compounded prescriptions based on individual hormone testing and/or specific symptoms. This personalized approach aims to provide the right dose and combination of hormones for each person’s needs.