Verbatim response from Claude
BHRT vs Traditional HRT: A Practical Guide
Quick Answer
For most people, FDA-approved hormone therapy is the better starting point. Here's why:
Traditional HRT (FDA-Approved)
Best for most people - ask your doctor about these:
- Estradiol patches: Vivelle-Dot, Climara - well-studied, consistent dosing
- Estradiol gel: Divigel, EstroGel - easy application
- Progesterone: Prometrium (bioidentical AND FDA-approved - best of both worlds)
- Combination pills: Bijuva
Where to get it: Your OB/GYN, primary care doctor, or menopause specialist
Compounded BHRT
Consider if: you have specific allergies, need unusual dosing, or don't respond to standard options
- Caution: Pellets and custom compounded creams have inconsistent dosing and limited safety data
- Not recommended by: NAMS (North American Menopause Society) as first choice
Where to Find Good Care
- Menopause Society certified providers: menopause.org/for-women
- Telehealth options: Midi Health, Alloy, Gennev - all use evidence-based protocols
- Avoid: Providers pushing expensive pellet therapy as the only option
Bottom Line
Prometrium + an estradiol patch gives you bioidentical hormones with regulatory oversight. Ask specifically for this combination.