Bioidentical Hormones: What the Term Actually Means

The definition

Bioidentical means the hormone molecule is chemically identical to the hormone your body produces. Estradiol made in a lab that matches the estradiol your ovaries made is bioidentical, whether it comes in a patch from a large manufacturer or a cream from a compounding pharmacy.

This surprises many people: several widely prescribed, FDA-approved hormone products are bioidentical. The term is not limited to compounded or boutique preparations.

What the term does not mean

• —It does not mean risk-free — a hormone identical to your own is still a hormone with real effects
• —It does not mean natural in the sense of unprocessed — all of these products are manufactured
• —It does not mean one-size-fits-all dosing — individual evaluation and monitoring still apply

Where compounding fits

Compounding pharmacies can prepare customized doses and combinations that aren't available as standard manufactured products. That flexibility can be useful for some patients. Compounded preparations are not FDA-approved as finished products, which is a trade-off your provider should explain plainly if compounding is part of your plan.

The better question

Rather than asking whether a hormone is bioidentical, ask whether the plan around it is sound: Was your history reviewed? Were relevant labs done? Is there scheduled follow-up and monitoring? Will a provider adjust the plan based on how you respond? Those questions predict the quality of your care far better than a label on a bottle.

Enrolling in a program is not a guarantee of any prescription. Treatment is prescribed only when a Vitality provider determines it is medically appropriate.