DISCLAIMER: THIS TREATMENT HAS NOT BEEN EXTENSIVELY STUDIED, AND IS NOT FDA APPROVED
Compounded Bioidentical Hormones
Symptoms it can treat
- Hot flashes
- Night sweats
- Vaginal dryness and irritation
- Low libido
Overview
Bioidentical hormones are hormones that are very similar to the hormones naturally produced by the body, like estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. These hormones are made from plant-based estrogen. One of the more popular ways of using bioidentical hormones is by having them custom developed for you by a pharmacist or doctor. This process is called compounding. Compounded bioidentical products are not FDA approved.
FDA Approved?
No
-
Precautions
-
Side effects
Precautions
Bioidential products are not approved by the FDA. There have not been many large-scale studies on bioidenticals, so their symptoms (or severity of symptoms) is not well known.
We do not recommend you using hormones if you have any of the following:
-
Unusual vaginal bleeding
-
Personal history of certain cancers such as breast cancer or uterine cancer
-
Personal history of blood clots in the legs or lungs
-
Bleeding disorder
-
History of stroke or heart attack
-
Liver problems
-
Serious reactions to estrogen medicines
Some antibiotics and medications may make bioidentical treatments less effective, make sure you inform your doctor about all of the medications you are taking. If you have a uterus you may have a higher risk of developing endometrial cancer after 1 year of taking estrogen-only medication. Talk to your doctor about other medicines you can take to protect yourself.
Common side effects
1. Headaches
2. Vaginal spotting
3. Bloating
4. Stomach cramps
5. Painful or tender breasts
6. Hair loss
7. Yeast infection
8. Fluid retention
9. Nausea and/or vomiting
10. Acne
11. Increased facial hair