Bioidentical hormones are hormones that share the exact same molecular structure with those in your body. Unlike synthetic hormones they cannot be patented because they are already  naturally a perfect identical match to the hormones in your body.

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Sources of bioidentical hormones are yam and soy, and their molecules must be activated outside the body by a highly trained licensed pharmacist who is also trained in compounding. A compounding pharmacist 'compounds' or creates customized dosages and formulations to replace only those hormones that are in decline. 



​Synthetic HRT are SUBSTITUTES for your natural hormone molecule(s); Bio-identical HRT is an exact REPLACEMENT of the molecule in your body.



​The conventionally prescribed hormones, also known as synthetic HRT, are generally not bio-identical and are never found in humans. Examples of this are Premarin, Provera, the birth control pill. They contain synthetic estrogens and/or progestins which ARE NOT the same molecular structure as your body's own estrogen and progesterone molecules they are intended to replace. 

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What this means is that your body will perceive the incoming hormone as being foreign, and it will need to put it through various chemical reactions in order to make a useable product that the body recognizes. Research has shown that synthetic HRT is associated with various risks, including  cancer, stroke, coronary artery disease, blood clot and dyslipidemia. The other concern is that many times conventional HRT is prescribed in a pill form, which means that first must pass through the liver in order to be utilized. This further adds to risk. 



It is important to know that not all synthetic and conventional HRT is non-bioidentical, and not all of it is in pill form. For example, the commonly prescribed HRT Estrogel happens to be bio-identical AND a gel on the skin. This is great because it avoids the first-pass effect in the liver and it is also bioidentical. Estrogel differs from the compounded version of estrogen called bi-est in that biest contains two types of estrogens, estradiol and estriol, whereas estrogel contains only estradiol. Estradiol is a strong estrogen and  while the  body needs it to maintain its estrogen-related functions, too much can mean proliferation of breast cells. A different and safer approach involves using a combination of estradiol and estriol; estriol is not associated with the same negative effects on the breast as is estradiol.



Another commonly used medication is Prometrium. This is a bioidentical progesterone taken orally. While there is less risk with progesterone taken orally compared to estrogen taken orally, it still goes through the liver. There are benefits to this however, as progesterone when metabolized through the liver has the effect of enhancing the neurotransmitter GABA, which is important for reducing anxiety and helping to induce sleep. So for people with insomnia and anxiety, some doctors will preferentially prescribe oral progesterone over transdermal. The challenge with using commercially available promethium is that it comes in one dosage only, 100mg, which makes it more of a challenge to customize the dose to the individual. 

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Bioidentical hormones commonly prescribed to restore balance:

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Progesterone:

Progesterone is a hormone made by the corpus luteum of the ovaries. It is involved in the production of estrogen and testosterone, as well as DHEA and cortisol in the adrenal glands. Progesterone receptors exist in the uterus, brain, skin, thyroid, blood vessels, breasts and bones. It is an important hormone to counter-act the effects of estrogen in the body. Symptoms of low progesterone levels include anxiety, heavy periods, water retention, headaches, weight gain (usually around the abdomen), low bone density, irregular periods. Studies have shown that progesterone is protective against the development of esteogen-related breast cancers. 

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Bi-est:

​Biest is a combination of two types of estrogen: estradiol and estriol. Estradiol is a strong estrogen that is neeed in the body for over 400 different functions, including regulating body temperature (eliminating hot flashes!), boosting levels of HDL ("good" cholesterol), lowering levels of LDL ("bad" cholesterol), maintenance of bone density and structure, maintenance of memory, protection from Alzheimer's disease, increasing metabolism, maintaining  insulin sensitivity, decreasing accumulation of plaque on arteries, decreasing platelet stickiness...to name only a few. Estriol, a weak estrogen, has benefits on the vaginal lining (improves dryness), improves cholesterol, reduces wrinkles/improves collagen in the skin, restores proper pH balance in the vagina (helps prevent bladder infections) and is currently being investigated as having a role in protecting against estradiol-related breast cancers.