Thoughts on Compounded Bio-identical Hormone Therapy
Let's Talk About Compounded Bio-Identical Hormone Therapy
Have you heard about compounded bio-identical hormone therapy for menopause symptoms? Often touted as safer and “more natural,” popular marketing campaigns have been giving it a lot of attention lately, and knowing what it's all about is essential.
Bio-identical hormones are a type of hormone that has the same structure as the hormones your body naturally produces. They can be found in both FDA-approved commercially available medications AND compounded medications.
Compounded medications are medications made just for you based on what your provider prescribes. The pharmacist "compounds" them (mixes them up) individually per your provider's instructions. This is very different than the usual branded medications you buy (such as Advil), which have the same formula and strength as advertised on the label every time.
Many people are turning to custom compounded bio-identical hormone therapy as an alternative to the standard FDA-approved hormone therapy because it's advertised as a safe and effective option that can be customized just for you.
But here's the thing: while the idea of a personalized treatment plan may sound great, there are some important things to consider. Compounded medications have their own risks and limitations that you should be aware of. Understanding all the facts before making any decisions about your health is essential.
Let's Explore the Differences in Safety and Quality
One of the most important things to know about compounded medications is that they don't undergo the same rigorous testing for safety and effectiveness as FDA-regulated ones. This means there are some potential risks and uncertainties involved.
Since each compounded medication is made individually, there can be differences in how they are prepared by different pharmacists or pharmacies. This means you're not guaranteed to get the exact amount or type of hormone prescribed for you. The amount of hormone you receive may vary from prescription to prescription, leading to inconsistent hormone levels in your body.
Because of this lack of testing and consistency, there's a chance of being under-dosed or over-dosed, which can adversely affect your health. For example, certain types of progesterone may not be well absorbed or used by your body, which could mean you're not getting enough protection against uterine cancer. Having a too high dose of hormones can cause harmful side effects and potentially raise the risk of uterine cancer or blood clots.
To highlight the importance of quality, a study conducted by the FDA tested 29 compounded medications containing estrogen and progesterone that were ordered online. Shockingly, 10 out of 29 (34%) of these medications failed at least one standard quality test. In contrast, the failure rate for FDA-regulated medicines is less than 2%. This shows that when you choose conventionally available hormonal therapy, you can trust that you're receiving the prescribed medication at the correct dose.
The Truth about Customized Hormone Testing
There’s also been a lot of talk about testing your hormone levels through saliva or urine tests to personalize compounded bio-identical hormone therapy. But let's uncover the facts and limitations of this approach.
When it comes to menopausal hormone therapy, the primary goal is to relieve symptoms, not to achieve specific hormone levels in the bloodstream. Symptoms can vary significantly among individuals at different hormone levels, making it challenging to rely solely on lab tests to determine the correct medication dosage. Finding a hormone dosage that effectively alleviates your symptoms rather than sticking to predetermined lab values is critical.
Moreover, no scientific evidence supports the idea that individualized hormone regimens based on saliva or urine testing are safer or more effective. These tests can be expensive and unnecessary. If you're feeling better and not experiencing significant side effects, it's a good indication that your hormone dosage is appropriate. You don't need pricey tests to confirm this.
The Bottom Line
Contrary to popular advertising, compounded bio-identical hormone therapy is not proven safer or superior to conventional FDA-regulated menopausal hormone therapy. In fact, the opposite is more likely true. With FDA-regulated hormones, you know exactly what you're getting every time. There are FDA-regulated bio-identical options available for both estrogens and progesterones. Additionally, many FDA-regulated hormone formulations are covered by insurance, making them more affordable and accessible.
In most cases, FDA-regulated commercially available hormonal therapy is preferred over custom compounded hormone medications. It's safer, more consistent, easier to access, and often more affordable. So, for many women, sticking to conventional hormone therapy prescribed by a physician is the wiser choice.
Remember, the bottom line is to make informed decisions about your health based on reliable evidence and discussions with your healthcare provider. Seek out a trusted menopause expert to help you decide what is best for you.
