What are Bioidentical Hormones?
Bioidentical hormones preparations is a medication that contains hormones that are an exact molecule-by-molecule chemical match to those made naturally by the human body. Derived from plant sources they mimic the natural wavelike, rhythms of the hormone blood levels in a normal menstrual cycle.
By contrast, synthetic drugs such as Premarin, Prempro and Provera have different molecular structures of estrogens and progesterone from those found in the human body. And since this is so, the body reacts to them differently and the results are often times harmful.
Common Disorders
Bioidentical hormones are used to relieve patients from common symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes, night sweats and vaginal dryness. They are also used as relievers for depression, anxiety, irritability, insomnia, mood swings and exhaustion due to Premenstrual Syndrome and Postpartum Depression. Likewise, bioidentical hormones provide relief for allergies, fatigue and stress due to weight gain, muscle weakness, decreased libido and memory loss in cases of Hypothyroidism, Hypoadrenalism and Andropose.
Bioidentical hormones are also prescribed to patients who are suffering from Endometriosis, Polycystic Ovaries and Osteoporosis.
FDA approval
Contrary to popular knowledge that bioidentical hormone medications do not have FDA approval, many of the bioidentical hormones are commercially available in several well-tested branded prescription drugs. All of them are FDA approved and are sold at local drug stores.
Concern arises with custom-compounded bioidentical hormone medications prepared by a pharmacist in compounding pharmacies following individual orders for specific patients. These medications do not have FDA approval because as they are custom-made and not standardized; they do not undergo the tests required for mass-produced medical products. Since the purpose of compounding is to do it on a patient-by-patient basis, there's nothing that's submitted to the FDA to evaluate, so there is nothing for the FDA to approve.
In addition, the FDA's drug approval process takes years and can cost hundreds of millions of dollars. Requiring this for individually personalized medications that fulfill an individual doctor’s prescription is both impractical and contrary to the best interests of patients requiring immediate treatment.
Fortunately for consumers who need their medications to be custom-mixed yet still wish for the peace of mind from an FDA approved seal, it is noteworthy to mention that compounding pharmacies that provide for these services are legal and still regulated by the FDA.
All pharmacies and pharmacists are licensed and strictly regulated at the state level. The state boards of pharmacy are responsible for the inspection of pharmacy operations and development of appropriate regulations as well as responding to problems and violations. Since the compounding of bioidentical hormones is still a component of pharmacy, it will always be subject to the regulations of the state boards.
Also, just like big pharmaceutical manufacturing companies, bioidentical hormone compounding pharmacies get their ingredients for medications from suppliers that are registered and inspected by the FDA. So regardless if the actual custom-compounded medication has the FDA approved seal, you still can be assured that the ingredients used are all FDA approved.
Doctors who prescribe bioidentical hormones
Although most of the doctors today are ordinarily schooled and trained in synthetic drug therapy, there are many existing doctors who prefer to prescribe bioidentical hormone drugs over synthetic ones. Most of them are holistic doctors and naturopathic practitioners who have additional specialized training in bioidentical hormones therapy.
A holistic medical doctor is one who uses a combination of conventional Western medicine and other alternative medicines such as acupuncture, herbal therapy or homeopathy. Naturopathic physicians, on the other hand, are medical doctors that work to restore and support the body's systems by using medicines and techniques that are in harmony with natural processes. Naturally, if you are looking for a doctor who is best equipped with the understanding of bioidentical hormone therapy, the best doctor to see is a naturopathic physician.
Bioidentical Hormone Drug Formulations
While synthetic hormones are usually available only in oral form, bioidentical hormones come in a variety of delivery systems such as creams and ointments, oil capsules, gels, and suppositories.
Bioidentical hormone topical creams, ointments and gels as well as vaginal creams are efficient ways of transporting bioidentical hormones into the body. The can be compounded with a variety of different hormones without diminishing the strength and dosage of the medication. They can also be altered as to the consistency and absorption required to minimizing patient allergies.
Suppositories are insertions that can deliver a variety of bioidentical hormones directly to the uterus. They are easily absorbed by the body and are transmitted in their most natural state, making them more effective and less hazardous.
Oil capsules are formulated either as individual bioidentical hormones or compounded bioidentical hormones. They are provided usually with fillers for patients who have multiple allergies or who extremely sensitive to chemical exposure.
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