Bioidentical Hormone Therapy means that the exact molecule in the product is identical in structure to the hormone produced in our body's glands. These bioidentical hormones can be made into creams, capsules, gels, sublingual lozenges, sublingual drops and subcutaneous implantable pellets at a compounding pharmacy.

Pharmaceutical companies make synthetic hormones that are not structurally the same as what our body produces. These chemicals have been altered by attaching a group to the compound therefore making man-made chemicals that can be patented. It is possible to find bioidentical hormones that are made by pharmaceutical companies and they do this by patenting their delivery system since bioidentical hormones themselves cannot be patented.

For example, estriol or estradiol can be found in a patch form for women. Testosterone can be found in a gel form. This is how the pharmaceutical company delivers a bioidentical hormone in a patented delivery form. The molecule itself is not patented, only the delivery system.

The Women's Health Initiative and the HERS Study both showed that the synthetic form of progesterone called medoxyprogesterone acetate caused thin women to have an increase in breast cancer, ovarian cancer, heart attack and stroke. After these two studies, an enormous amount of women stopped taking Prempro and Provera. But they still continued to experience symptoms of progesterone and estrogen deficiency. Women are actively seeking information on bioidentical hormone therapy and they want answers.

Please see the video Why Hormones Are Not Enough to learn more about how it is necessary to supply your body with the proper nutrients so that your body is able to produce the hormones required for your body to function properly.

by Robert Seik, PharmD