Bioidentical Hormone Therapy: Your Questions Answered

🔍Bioidentical hormone therapy refers to the use of estradiol, a prescription-strength estrogen.

✅FDA-approved estradiol is considered safe and can be obtained from commercial pharmacies.

⚠️Compounded non-FDA approved hormone therapy is unregulated and may vary in composition, posing potential risks.

💲Compounded hormone therapy is often expensive compared to FDA-approved options.

📊Limited research and lack of clinical trials make it challenging to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of compounded hormone therapy.

What is bioidentical hormone therapy?

—Bioidentical hormone therapy refers to the use of estradiol, a prescription-strength estrogen.

Is bioidentical hormone therapy safe?

—FDA-approved estradiol is considered safe. However, compounded non-FDA approved hormone therapy is unregulated, posing potential risks.

Are compounded hormones regulated?

—No, compounded hormone therapy is not regulated by an overseeing governing body.

What are the risks of compounded hormone therapy?

—Compounded hormone therapy may vary in composition, and its safety and effectiveness are difficult to evaluate due to limited research and lack of clinical trials.

Is bioidentical hormone therapy expensive?

—Yes, compounded hormone therapy is often expensive compared to FDA-approved alternatives.

00:00Dr. Heather Hirsch answers common questions about bioidentical hormone therapy.

09:17Bioidentical hormone therapy refers to the use of estradiol, a prescription-strength estrogen.

10:22Compounded non-FDA approved hormone therapy is unregulated and may vary in composition, posing potential risks.

11:24Compounded hormone therapy is often expensive compared to FDA-approved options.

11:44Limited research and lack of clinical trials make it challenging to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of compounded hormone therapy.