Bio Identical HRT?
Before starting any menopause treatment, it’s essential to do your research. Compounded bio-identical hormones are often marketed as being safer or more effective, but there is no scientific evidence to support this. Unlike body-identical HRT, these products haven’t been through the same strict testing for safety and effectiveness.
Sadly, many people aren’t aware of this and end up spending a lot of money on treatments that may bring little symptom relief, carry unwanted side effects, and offer no proven long-term health protection.
For your wellbeing, it’s important to use the safest option available – body-identical HRT – prescribed in the right form and dose for your personal needs. Your doctor or nurse should go through the potential benefits and any risks with you, tailored to your individual situation. To find out more about Bio identical Hrt please click here on the British Menopause society for more detailed information.
It is really important to understand that regulated bio identical hormones (like rBHRT) are tested for safety and effectiveness by regulatory bodies like the MHRA. Compounded, custom-made bio identical hormones are often unregulated and lack rigorous clinical evidence for safety and effectiveness, according to the British Menopause Society and the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Body Identical HRT?
The safest and most regulated type of HRT is body identical HRT. It is thoroughly tested and researched, recommended by the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines [1], and prescribed by the NHS.
This includes oestradiol you take through your skin in a patch, gel or spray, micronised progesterone, mostly commonly known as Utrogestan in the UK, and testosterone.
Body identical HRT is derived from the yam plant and soy and has the same molecular structure as the hormones your body naturally produces.
Regulated body-identical HRT is both tested and regulated, whereas compounded or custom "bio identical" hormones are not. Body-identical hormones are manufactured by pharmaceutical companies under strict quality controls and MHRA licensing in the UK, making them safe and effective treatments available via standard NHS prescriptions. In contrast, compounded bio identical hormones are made in unregulated labs, have not undergone the same testing for safety and efficacy, and are not recommended by organisations like the British Menopause Society.
All information in this blog has come from good researched and approved websites.
https://thebms.org.uk/ ( The British Menopause Society)
https://bjgp.org/content/69/688/540 (British Journal of genral practice)
https://www.drlouisenewson.co.uk/knowledge/body-identical-hormones
