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.)
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