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

BHRT vs Traditional HRT: A Practical Guide

Quick Distinction

• Traditional HRT: FDA-approved synthetic or animal-derived hormones (consistent, regulated)
• BHRT: Hormones chemically identical to your body's own hormones

Honest Assessment

FDA-approved bioidentical options are actually your best starting point:

• Estradiol patches: Vivelle-Dot, Climara, Dotti
• Estradiol gel: Divigel, EstroGel
• Progesterone: Prometrium (FDA-approved bioidentical)
• Estradiol ring: Estring, Femring

These ARE bioidentical AND rigorously tested for safety/dosing.

Be Cautious About

Compounded BHRT (from compounding pharmacies) lacks FDA oversight, meaning:

• Inconsistent dosing
• Unverified purity
• Saliva testing used to guide doses (not evidence-based)

Where to Go

• OB-GYN or menopause specialist - first choice
• The Menopause Society (menopause.org) - find certified providers
• Midi Health (telehealth) - menopause-specialized
• Alloy or Evernow - solid telehealth options

Bottom Line

Ask for FDA-approved bioidentical hormones - you get the best of both worlds: body-identical hormones with quality control.

Avoid clinics pushing expensive compounded "custom" hormone panels primarily.