Bioidentical vs. Traditional Hormone Replacement Therapy: What’s the Difference?

Hormone Therapy Decoded

Bioidentical hormones are hormones that are chemically identical to those your body naturally produces. They’re typically derived from plant sources, such as yams or soy, and are then processed in a lab to match human estrogen, progesterone, or testosterone at the molecular level.

These hormones come in both:

• Pharmaceutical (FDA-approved) forms (like Estradiol or Prometrium(progesterone)

• Compounded forms, which can be customized by a compounding pharmacy based on a provider’s prescription

• Pellets

Traditional or non-bioidentical HRT often uses synthetic hormones or those derived from animal sources. One well-known example is Premarin, which is made from the urine of pregnant mares. Others may include synthetic progestinslike medroxyprogesterone acetate.

While these therapies have been used for decades and have proven benefits, they differ structurally from the hormones your body naturally makes.