BHRT vs traditional HRT: which should I ask for and where?

BHRT vs Traditional HRT: A Practical Guide

Quick Answer

For most people, FDA-approved hormone therapy is the better starting point. Here's why:

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Traditional HRT (FDA-Approved)

Recommended brands to ask about:

• Estradiol patches: Vivelle-Dot, Climara - well-studied, consistent dosing
• Estradiol gel: Divigel, EstroGel - easy application
• Progesterone: Prometrium - FDA-approved bioidentical progesterone pill
• Combo patches: Combipatch

Where to go: Your OB-GYN, primary care doctor, or Midi Health (telehealth specialist in women's hormones, highly rated)

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Compounded BHRT

• Not FDA-regulated for safety/efficacy
• Dosing consistency varies between compounding pharmacies
• Can be useful when standard options don't work for you
• Reputable compounding pharmacies: PCAB-accredited pharmacies like Belmar Pharmacy

Where to go: Integrative medicine doctors or Winona or Alloy (telehealth platforms specializing in this)

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My Recommendation

1. Start with Midi Health or your OB-GYN
2. Ask about FDA-approved bioidentical options (Prometrium, estradiol patches)
3. Only consider compounded BHRT if standard options fail

Always consult your doctor - hormone therapy needs personalization.