Compounded Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy –
Not Just for Menopause
Hormone replacement therapy is a unique area for compounding pharmacists to be involved in. It has changed drastically over the past decade and personalized medicine is now at the forefront of hormonal treatment. Many physicians and compounding pharmacists have started working together with both men and women to ensure that their medications are specific to their body and their needs.
Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) consists of replacing/replenishing hormones that have declined or are deficient in the body’s production. Hormones that are bioidentical have have the identical molecular structure that is produced in the human body, such as estradiol, progesterone, testosterone and DHEA. BHRT has been available and has been used in hormone replacement therapy for many decades.
Were you aware that menopause is not the only condition in which hormone levels decline or are deficient?
Some possible examples include:
- Infertility
- Postpartum Depression
- Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
- Female Sexual Dysfunction
- Vaginal Dryness
- Osteoporosis
- Chronic Fatigue
- Fibromyalgia
- Endometriosis
- Andropause
- Hypothyroidism
- Hypoadrenalism
BHRT is a highly customizable medication that your compounding pharmacy will prepare especially for you upon a prescription order from your practitioner.
Examples of possible dosage forms used in compounded BHRT include:
- Oral/vaginal capsules
- Topical creams/gels
- Sublingual (under the tongue) lozenges/troches
- Vaginal/rectal suppositories
- Oral/topical drops/suspension
- Injection
- Pellets
