Nowadays bio identical hormones have become most popular, partly because of increased health risks associated with standard hormone replacement therapy or partly due to celebrity endorsements.

Bio identical means the hormones in the product are chemically similar to those your body develops.

Marketers say that their products are safer than standard hormone therapies because:

• They are made from plant chemicals instead of synthesizing in a laboratory. There are some FDA approved products that are made from plants such as: Prometrium natural progesterone, Estrace, Vivelle-Dot patch and Climara patch. FDA has approved over 20 natural bioidentical hormone products including estrogen, progesterone and testosterone


• These hormones are custom made for you. They are based on an examination of your saliva to assess your distinctive hormonal needs. But, the hormone levels in the saliva do not replicate the levels in the blood or correspond to menopause symptoms.


• These hormones are prepared in various doses and forms that are very much different from some of the FDA approved products. You will get some bio identical hormones without any prescription, but most of them need prescription.


• If you want these hormones in any nonstandard combinations, you need to consider a non-compounding pharmacy. Here you will get medications that are specially customized to satisfy your needs.


• The most familiar bio identical hormones are estrogen and progesterone, which are produced by compounding pharmacies to reduce the menopause symptoms and hormonal imbalances.


• Hormonal imbalances lead to the risk of heart attack, stroke and even breast cancer and when used accurately, bio identical hormone replacement therapy can decrease this risk.


• Bio identical estrogen and progesterone have constantly been shown to lessen and remove the breast-cell proliferation rates whereas synthetic hormones, particularly progestin, have been revealed to raise risk of breast cancer.


• In terms of cardiovascular disease, bio identical progesterone maintains and enhances the heart protective effects of estrogen, decreasing the risk for heart attack and stroke.
  

Bio identical hormones are safe when used properly and under the care of an expert physician trained specifically in bio identical hormone replacement therapy.