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 (consistent dosing, well-studied)
- Estradiol gel: EstroGel, Divigel (easy application)
- Progesterone: Prometrium (bioidentical AND FDA-approved - best of both worlds)
- Testosterone: AndroGel (for women, sometimes prescribed off-label)
Where to get it: Your OB/GYN, primary care doctor, or menopause specialist
Compounded BHRT
Potentially useful IF standard options don't work for you
- Available through compounding pharmacies like Belmar Pharmacy or Women's International Pharmacy
- Requires a prescribing doctor familiar with compounding
Concerns to know:
- Not FDA-tested for safety/efficacy
- Dosing can be inconsistent
- Some providers oversell it
Who to See
- Menopause Society (NAMS) certified providers - find one at MenopauseSociety.org
- Midi Health (telehealth, menopause-specialized)
- Alloy (telehealth, affordable HRT focus)
Bottom Line
Ask specifically for bioidentical estradiol + Prometrium - you get bioidentical hormones with FDA oversight.
Want specifics for your situation?