Individuals who are going through menopause or dealing with hormonal changes often come across two terms, HRT and BHRT, while they are doing research to find a solution for their symptoms. These terms and what they mean can be a bit confusing, so today we are going to provide some helpful information that should clear things up so you can make an informed decision.
What Are HRT and BHRT?
The acronym HRT stands for hormone replacement therapy and is the traditional kind of hormone therapy that became very popular in the 1960s. HRT is prescribed by doctors when hormones are needed to replace the ones your body stops making. These hormones are usually synthetic and made in a lab, or sometimes they are sourced from animals.
BHRT stands for bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, and the word “bioidentical” indicates that the hormones are specifically designed to match the exact chemical structure of the hormones your body naturally produces. They often are derived from plant‑based sources (like soy or yams) and are processed to become identical to human hormones.
Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy vs. HRT
When comparing the difference between HRT and BHRT, the main things to remember are that they come from different sources and that BHRT is designed to match your natural hormones identically.
Traditional HRT
Medications are approved by the FDA and come in fixed strengths and include clear directions on how much to use and how often. Normally, you begin with a standard dose, which may be gradually adjusted depending on any symptoms or side effects you experience. Doctors have a good understanding of how traditional HRT works, adverse complications to look out for, and use routine testing to ensure the therapy is working as expected, or if your administration method needs to change or your dose needs to be adjusted. The available products and dosing schedules are standardized and have been around for years, so they are fairly predictable and do not normally require as frequent monitoring as BHRT.
Bioidentical Hormone Therapy (BHRT)
Many BHRT options are made in compounding pharmacies, so they may not be FDA approved in the same way as the traditional HRT products, but BHRT is created to match your specific personal hormone needs. This allows the flexibility to adjust the dose and the hormone blend to be personally customized just for you, but this could mean the strength and consistency can vary for each batch. This is normally not an issue because BHRT is more closely monitored than traditional HRT therapy, and your doctor will do regular check-ins and order frequent lab tests to monitor your levels to ensure your hormone levels are kept in balance. Since BHRT is designed to identically copy the hormones your body naturally makes, many people feel that it integrates into their system more smoothly.
IBI Plastic Surgery & Med Spa uses only reputable and trusted compounding pharmacies, which must follow strict rules to keep their products safe and consistent. They are required to meet high-quality standards, and the ingredients they use come from FDA-approved sources, meaning the BHRT is made with the highest quality materials, even though the final compounded product is not specifically approved by the FDA.
How Are HRT and BHRT Administered?
Both traditional HRT and BHRT are available as pills, skin patches, gels and creams, vaginal rings or tablets, injections, and implanted pellets.
- Pills: These are simple to take and can be taken daily, but in some cases, your liver can make changes to them and alter how your body uses them.
- Patches: A small patch is adhered to your skin, which allows the hormones to gradually be absorbed into your bloodstream. These work well for individuals who need to avoid running the hormones through their liver.
- Gels and creams: These are applied topically on your skin, and the hormones slowly soak into your bloodstream, so they are easy to use and gentle on your system.
- Vaginal rings or tablets: These help with symptoms of dryness, discomfort, and symptoms local to the vaginal area, but they do not extend to your whole body.
- Injections: These provide a steady dose for a set period of time so they last longer and keep your hormone levels at a constant balance without having to worry about remembering to administer them every day.
- Pellets: Tiny pellets are placed under your skin that release hormones over several months, so they help maintain a steady hormone balance with very little upkeep.
Each form of hormone delivery has its advantages and disadvantages for how easy they are to use, how well they work to balance your hormones, and how your body responds, but with so many options, there is one that is bound to suit your needs.
What Does the Science Show?
When we look at the science behind HRT vs. BHRT, it shows us a mixed picture. HRT (synthetic hormones) are well-studied and considered reliable in terms of what the doctors expect them to do. Bioidentical hormones make sense biologically and appear more natural for some people, but scientists still need more large studies to know how predictable they actually are.
Research shows that both HRT and BHRT can work well for many people, but to date, it has not been proven that one is always more predictable than the other. Synthetic hormones have been studied for many decades, so doctors better understand their risks and benefits, but because they do not match the body’s exact natural hormone structure, some people do experience side effects that can be hard to manage.
Bioidentical hormones are created to match your body’s natural hormones, so this makes complete sense on paper, with some small studies suggesting that your body may have an easier time processing them, but unfortunately, we do not have enough long-term data to accurately illustrate results and predictability. Also, BHRT products are custom-made in compounding pharmacies, which means they are formulated by hand, so the exact dose and consistency can vary. That variation can create its own kind of unpredictability. More long-term studies need to be conducted to be able to do a fair comparison of HRT vs. BHRT.
BHRT Bioidentical Hormones Pros and Cons
When considering bioidentical hormone therapy, it is good to be aware of its pros and cons. While there are many good things about BHRT, you also should be mindful of a few things.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| BHRT can help reduce the common unpleasant symptoms of menopause, like hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, sleep problems, vaginal dryness, etc. | Not all BHRT is the same because most are hand-formulated (compounded) in special pharmacies and are not as strictly regulated (by the FDA) as traditional HRT products. This means that there could be variations in quality or dosage. |
| BHRT can help improve bone density, boost your energy levels, enhance libido, and improve your cognitive functioning. | Research is limited for BHRT products vs. traditional HRT products, so there is no definitive proof that BHRT is safer or more effective than traditional HRT. |
| Treatments can be personalized to fill in your hormonal gaps to meet your needs and relieve your symptoms. | The use of both BHRT and HRT carries potential risks but can be safe for many women when they start at the right time, are carefully dosed, and supervised by a knowledgeable doctor like Dr. Angelina Postoev. |
Where Can I Learn More About BHRT Near Me?
If you live in Atlanta, Georgia, or the surrounding area, you can find bioidentical hormone therapy at IBI Plastic Surgery & Med Spa. Dr. Angelina Postoev, a triple board-certified cosmetic surgeon, has extensive experience in BHRT therapy and works closely with her patients to enhance their natural beauty from the inside out, offering both medical and aesthetic solutions that safely and effectively target and treat each patient’s needs.
BHRT can be administered in various forms, and Dr. Angelina can help determine the type of hormone treatment and the form that will work best for you. Set up a consultation today to learn more about hormone therapy and how it can benefit you.
FAQs
Who Is not a Candidate for Bioidentical Hormones?
Individuals who have a history of blood clots, stroke, certain cancers, heart disease, or gallbladder disease may not be good candidates for hormone therapy. You will not be a suitable candidate for hormone therapy if you are currently pregnant or wish to become pregnant in the near future.
Is BHRT Safer than Traditional HRT?
There is no strong evidence that proves that BHRT is safer or more effective than traditional HRT therapy. Both can work well for alleviating symptoms for many people as long as they are done under a qualified doctor’s care, but more research is still needed to provide a clear answer.
What is the Difference Between BHRT and HRT Testosterone?
When bioidentical testosterone is used, it means the testosterone is created to exactly match human testosterone’s natural structure. Traditional HRT, or TRT (testosterone therapy), is normally lab-created (synthetic), but the FDA approves and regulates it.
| BHRT Testosterone | Traditional HRT/TRT Testosterone | |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | These match natural human testosterone. | Usually synthetic and may be less like natural testosterone. |
| Source | Normally derived from plants and formulated to match human hormones. | Synthetic, lab‑made, and sometimes derived from animals. |
| Regulation & Oversight | Most are compounded with varying regulation and oversight. Choosing a reputable compounding pharmacy is crucial. | FDA-approved and regulated |
| Effectiveness | Designed to exactly copy your body’s natural testosterone and known to be effective. | Effective but may be slightly different from your natural hormone. |
| Risks | Similar to traditional testosterone therapy, but it can depend on the dose and your current health. | Same risks as BHRT testosterone, but it is well-studied for long-term effects. |
