Bioidentical Hormones: What Patients Should Know
Bioidentical hormone therapy (BHT) has become an increasingly popular option for people experiencing symptoms like hot flashes, fatigue, brain fog, mood changes, weight gain, or low libido — especially during menopause or hormonal decline.
But what does “bioidentical” actually mean?
Bioidentical hormones are plant-derived hormones that are structurally identical to the hormones your body naturally produces.
They are commonly used to restore healthy levels of estrogen and progesterone when those hormones decline with age.
Here are the key points patients should know:
- BHT mimics your natural hormones — which may support better symptom relief and tissue-specific benefits
- Therapies can be customized, unlike many standard FDA-approved doses
- Different forms of estrogen serve different functions in the body, and your treatment can be tailored accordingly
- There are potential differences in risks and side effects between bioidentical and synthetic hormone options
- Choosing the right therapy requires personalized medical evaluation, lab testing, and ongoing monitoring
Even though many patients feel BHT is a more “natural” option, all hormone therapies come with risks. A thorough assessment with a trained provider is essential to determine the safest and most effective plan for your needs.
To continue reading the full educational article — including how bioidentical hormones are made, how they differ from synthetic hormones, and what the research shows — click this link:
Author
David J. Bauder, PA-C
David Bauder, PA-C, is a certified physician assistant and the assistant medical director at Weight Loss and Vitality in Manassas and Alexandria, Virginia, Washington, DC; and Gaithersburg, MD. He enjoys helping patients optimize their physical and mental health to improve their overall well-being.
He earned his physician assistant degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. Afterward, he gained admission into the reputable graduate program for physician assistant studies at the University of Nebraska Health Science Center in Omaha.
David has over 26 years of experience working as a physician assistant. He’s practiced in podiatry, family medicine, emergency medicine, general surgery, urgent care, and functional medicine.
