Gyno Groupie

Confused about Menopausal Hormone Replacement Therapy? Let's discuss the differences in FDA-Approved versus Bio-Identical Hormones...

I often use analogies when explaining concepts with patients in the office.  Though the issue of Menopause/Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)  is a complex one,  with many different considerations…We have to start somewhere in grasping the array of options.  Here’s my bit.  In my analogy we’ll start with 3 options:

1) FDA-approved HRT,

2) Bio-Identical HRT

3) Herbal options.

One of the main differences in FDA HRT and Bio-Identical HRT is their derivation.  FDA/HRT may come from plant or animal sources, whereas the Bio/HRT and herbal options come from plant sources only.  I explain to patients, you can take certain plants (mostly soy containing yams) and “squeeze out’’ products  EQUAL  to “human hormones” (there are both FDA-approved HRTs and Bio-identical/HRT options.)  Certain other plants have “plant hormone” with similar qualities, but not equal to human hormone (isoflavones like soy, Siberian rhubarb.)