BHRT – THE ALTERNATIVE TO HRT

Bioidentical hormones, often described as ‘natural’,  differ from synthetic hormones used in traditional HRT as they have an identical chemical structure to the naturally occurring hormones which are produced in the body. 

Our Bioidentical hormones are produced from natural plant sources (Mexican yams) and compounded by Specialist Pharmacy to seamlessly deliver your bespoke hormone prescriptions, which can come in different application methods, from creams to lozenges.

Both body identical and bioidentical hormones consist of hormones extracted from natural sources that are identical in chemical and molecular structure to those occurring naturally in the human body.

However, body identical hormones are produced by large pharmaceutical companies in, set doses and application methods catering to a one-size-fits-all approach preventing modifications for patients with more specific needs. On the other hand, bioidentical hormones are personalised and produced by compounding pharmacies enabling them to prepare custom doses and application methods to address the individual needs of a patient.

Bioidentical hormones can be very beneficial for both men and women in reducing the symptoms caused by hormonal imbalance. We can use BHRT to treat a wide variety of hormonal imbalances from menopause, PMS, endometriosis in women to andropause in men. More information on the common symptoms and conditions we treat can be found here.

BHRT can also be used as an alternative for those who have tried synthetic hormone treatments, such as HRT, but experienced unwanted effects as a result.

We are often asked about the safety of bioidentical hormones, particularly whether bioidentical hormones are safer than the synthetic versions commonly used in HRT. There have been many studies on bioidentical hormones; however, as they are officially not drugs they don’t require expensive, large-scale trials.

The clinical data available certainly suggests that bioidenticals are safer. For example, long running research which studied 80,000 post-menopausal women found that taking progesterone plus natural estrogen had no raised risk of heart disease or cancer. HRT had been licenced on the basis of favourable trial results for years before this WHI study.

Those who took estrogen only had a 29% rise in their risk of breast cancer. But for those on progesterone as well the cancer risk disappeared. Combining estrogen with various non- identical progestins, however, pushed up the risk by as much as 69%.

Another concern that some have about the safety of bioidentical hormones relates to the dosage. Critics of BHRT say these labs can get the doses wrong or sell contaminated batches of hormones. But each patient’s bioidentical hormones must be prescribed by a doctor and is made in a lab known as a compounding pharmacy. These compounding facilities are often used by hospitals and are providing a range of drugs for doctors all the time. They are tightly regulated and overseen by the General Pharmaceutical Council and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

Before BHRT can be prescribed, you’ll be seen by your doctor, who will carry out a comprehensive consultation to gather all necessary information about your symptoms, medical history, and any test results. Your treatment will be tailored to your individual needs and is usually prescribed as a lozenge or cream. As part of ongoing treatment reviews, we require blood tests, mammograms and pelvic ultrasounds so we can keep a close eye on the effectiveness of treatment and any potential side effects.

Many women are concerned they will need to be on BHRT for the rest of their life. As the hormone therapy we provide is completely tailored to you, the duration of any treatment will be specific to you and your needs. Some will experience symptoms for just a few months whilst others may experience symptoms for years.