Why Are These Restrictions Happening Now
The FDA has always had the authority to regulate the substances used in making compounded drugs however, until now, the agency has chosen to leave oversight to the states. Now, all of a sudden, the FDA has decided to regulate substances used in compounding. By doing this, the FDA is, in effect, regulating the practices of medicine and pharmacy rather than regulating the drugs being prescribed and sold. In my opinion, this is a huge overreach of power, and it waves a big red flag for me during this time of increasing government control over our bodies and our lives.
Further, the committees calling for the education of health care providers and pharmacists who currently prescribe, compound, and dispense cBHT is nothing more than a thinly veiled threat against these practitioners, who will be forced to practice medicine the way Big Government and Big Pharma dictate or risk losing their licenses and practices.
And, according to a newly proposed rule on September 5, 2020, it appears that the FDA is on a mission to ban other compounded natural therapies as well, including homeopathic remedies and natural substances, such as curcumin, that have been proven safe and effective for decades!
Bioidentical Or Natural Hormones
Bioidentical hormones are hormone preparations made from plant sources that are promoted as being similar or identical to human hormones.
Practitioners claim these hormones are a “natural” and safer alternative to standard HRT medicines.
However, bioidentical preparations are not recommended because:
- they are not regulated and it’s not clear how safe they are there’s no good evidence to suggest they’re safer than standard HRT
- it’s not known how effective they are in reducing menopausal symptoms
- the balance of hormones used in bioidentical preparations is usually based on the hormone levels in your saliva, but there’s no evidence that these levels are related to your symptoms
Bioidentical hormones are not the same as body identical hormones. A body identical hormone, or micronised progesterone, can be prescribed to treat menopausal symptoms.
Many standard HRT hormones are made from natural sources, but unlike bioidentical hormones, they’re closely regulated and have been well researched to ensure they’re as effective and safe as possible.
What Kind Of Doctors Prescribe Testosterone Therapy
- There is no such thing as non-prescription testosterone, or over the counter testosterone.
- Genuine testosterone therapy is only available with a doctors prescription.
- Any doctor can prescribe testosterone, but it is best to get your testosterone prescription from a doctor whose practice is dedicated to hormone replacement therapy in adult males.
Why do you think you need a prescription for testosterone? Do you think you may be suffering from low testosterone? If you are a man who is over 35 and you are:
- Feeling tired almost all of the time
- Feeling irritable or angry more often than you would like
- Having sleep problems
- Reduced muscle mass
- Reduced strength
If you are experiencing any or all of the above, you are correct in assuming that low-T could be the cause, and a prescription for testosterone therapy may be the solution. However, do not be fooled by the ads you may hear on the radio, or see online, or in so-called muscle magazines, there is no such thing as non-prescription, or over-the-counter testosterone. The only way to get authentic testosterone therapy is with a doctors prescription. So, the question then becomes, what kind of doctor can write you a prescription for testosterone therapy?
Do not be fooled by the ads you may hear on the radio, or see online, or in so-called muscle magazines, there is no such thing as non-prescription, or over-the-counter testosterone. The only way to get authentic testosterone therapy is with a doctors prescription.
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Top Five Reasons Doctors May Prescribe Compounded Hormones For Women
For women like Laurie, relief from the sometimes debilitating effects of menopause often can be found in bio-identical hormone replacement therapy available by prescription as either commercially available manufactured products or as compounded medication prepared by a pharmacist. The aim of either therapeutic approach chosen by the prescriber is to improve the overall health and well-being of the patient, whose hormones are out of balance.
Three years ago, I started menopause and I had horrible hot flashes/sweats and the insomnia ruined my quality of life.
Laurie T., Bolivar, Ohio
Compounded hormones provide patients with an individualized experience that stems from the customization of not only the strength of the hormones, but also in the delivery system options. Plus, physicians and pharmacists have the ability to combine hormones into a single dosage form through compounding.
Here are the top five reasons doctors may prescribe compounded hormones for women.
What Are The Pros And Cons To Using Compounded Bio
PRO: They are hypoallergenic and available in customized doses, combinations, and routes of administration all with the same quality USP-grade ingredients. They can also be less expensive if pharmaceutical versions are not covered by your insurance.
CON: Since there is a lack of government oversight, you need to trust your compounding pharmacy. Preferably, work with a practitioner who can guide you in pharmacy selection based on their research and experience.
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How To Start Hormone Replacement Therapy
This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHows Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards.There are 13 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 78,822 times.Learn more
The decision to start male-to-female hormone replacement therapy can be an exciting choice. For many people, hormone treatment is the first step to transitioning physically into a female body. First, you will need to find a doctor who can prescribe you female hormones. You will take these hormones by patch, pill, or injection. As your body begins to change, you may need to manage side effects or reduce unwanted features. After a few years on hormones, you can begin to consider surgery.
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How Much Does Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy Cost
The cost of bioidentical hormone replacement depends on your specific regimen. For example, several FDA-approved bioidentical hormones, like Estrace, have lower-cost generic versions. Other brand-name-only products, like Bijuva, may be more expensive.
The cost of compounded bioidentical hormones can be even more varied. Thats because pricing can be different from pharmacy to pharmacy, even for a similar product. And compounded medications arent always covered by insurance. So, youll likely need to pay out-of-pocket for your prescription.
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Hormone Therapy Does More Than Relieve Your Symptoms
Discomfort from menopause symptoms like hot flashes, hair changes, and weight gain is definitely the primary motivating factor in seeking treatment from doctors who prescribe bioidentical hormones in Chicago IL. In addition to providing fast relief from immediate symptoms, this treatment can also deliver important long-term health benefits. With balanced estrogen and other hormones, women experience:
- Reduced risk of heart attack
- Protection against breast cancer and ovarian cancer
- Protection from Alzheimers and dementia
- Reduced risk of osteoporosis
- Increased metabolism to help ward off weight gain and associated health risks
What Is The Best Age To Consider Hormone Replacement Therapy
At Renewed Vitality, we believe that most people should have their hormones checked by the age of 40 or earlier if they are experiencing symptoms of hormone imbalance, menopause, or andropause. The way to prevent illness and to optimize ones health is to take an active role in addressing health care risks before they become a problem. Getting tested when you still feel good gives you a benchmark for later comparison when the inevitable happens and your hormones begin to decline.
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Examples Of Bioidentical Hormones
Now that you understand what bioidentical hormones are, lets talk about some examples.
Once you understand what to look for you will then also understand which hormones you should avoid.
It turns out that there are bio-identical hormones available to use as treatment for most medical conditions that are associated with corresponding low hormone levels.
Unfortunately, these bioidentical hormones are rarely ever used, and instead, the pharmaceutical medications are often prescribed in their place.
Here are some examples of bioidentical hormones:
If you are using a prescription medication to treat any type of hormone imbalance make sure you check to see what you are actually taking!
You will most likely be surprised to know that the version you are taking is probably NOT bioidentical.
The good news is that there are plenty of options to use in place of the man-made Frankenstein hormone that you may be taking.
What We Learned From The Whi
The findings of the E+P arm of the WHI that were published in 2002 dramatically changed the prescribing practices of physicians in the United States. Before the trial demonstrated adverse cardiovascular disease events and a 26% increased risk of breast cancer in female participants, the number of women for whom E+P was prescribed had been steadily increasing, from 58 million in 1995 to 90 million in 1999. From 1999 to 2002, the numbers stabilized however, within 3 months of publication of the WHI findings, prescriptions for E+P decreased by 63%. Many women stopped HT and some sought out alternative therapies for treatment of symptoms associated with menopause. In addition to their effect on physician-prescribing patterns, the WHI findings changed the perceptions of patients about the trustworthiness of the advice dispensed by physicians. A small survey of 97 women conducted in 2005 demonstrated that all the participants had heard of the WHI a substantial number expressed a loss of trust in the information about HT that they received from their physicians.
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Bioidentical Hormones: What They Are And Their Best Uses
Written by Support on . Posted in Bioidentical Hormones, Menopausal Care.
For many people, the body starts to show the wear and tear of the years that have passed around middle age. As you age, your natural production of hormones may become impaired. Your body may start to produce higher levels of some hormones and lower levels of others. When hormone levels are lower than they normally are and bear in mind that normal is different for every single person your body may develop uncomfortable symptoms and unhealthy conditions. Bioidentical hormone therapy can help you feel better.
Bioidentical hormones are man-made hormones that operate in a very similar way to the hormones produced by the human body. They are often used in men and women whose hormone production is low or out of balance.
Overview
Your bodys hormones control most of your basic bodily functions. They serve as an internal communication system between cells throughout the body. They coordinate everything from digestion and growth to your appetite, immune function, mood, and libido. So, when your hormones are out of balance, even slightly, it can have a big impact on your health and well-being.
Read on to learn all you need to know about BHRT, its benefits and risks, and whether it may be right for you.
I Asked My Doctor About Bio
I have heard a million stories just like yours about the well-meaning doctor who rolled her eyes or dismissed bio-identical hormones at the same time that she prescribed them! Estradiol patch? Divigel? Prometrium? Generic progesterone? All bio-identical.
Wait, what?
You read right. She was so turned off by the name that she didnt even know that she was prescribing the very thing you were requesting.
Needless to say its a complicated big pharma medical establishment struggle for market-share issue. But heres the thing: this is not the place for medical politics. Bio-identical hormones are as effective as non-bio-identical hormones and potentially safer!
As a naturopathic doctor , I have been studying and prescribing bio-identical hormones since the late 90s. I have found that much of the information available about them is confusing at best, and often misleading. In an effort to set the record straight, I have compiled the following answers to the most common questions I get asked about bio-identical hormones.
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Compounded Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy
So if body identical HRT is prescribed routinely by doctors, what is compounded bioidentical hormone replacement therapy , also known as bioidentical HRT?
You may have seen compounded bioidentical HRT advertised by clinics and providers who are unregulated or who may not have appropriate training, according to the British Menopause Society .
These providers test blood or saliva samples with the aim of determining your exact hormone requirements. As there are actually several different types of oestrogen in the body, the idea is to replace these in the most effective ratio possible. The providers then create a bespoke mixture of hormones for the patient on the basis of the test results. These are often given as either lozenges or a cream. This may sound good, but lets find out why its not that simple
Which Bioidentical Hormones Should You Take
The molecules naturally produced in the human female body for which we most often seek replacement include:
- Estrone , estradiol , and estriol
- Progesterone
- Testosterone
- DHEA, an adrenal precursor to testosterone.
These truly natural hormones are available by prescription. Estradiol is available as Estrace pills, Estrace vaginal cream, or transdermals as the Vivelle Dot, and Climera. (Pharmaceutical companies have been able to patent the delivery system on these hormones, though the hormone itself is still bioidentical. Estriol is available only through formulary pharmacies. Most women do fine with just estradiol plus or minus some progesterone. And sometimes a bit of testosterone, which is available by prescription as AndroGel.
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What Does The Term Bioidentical Hormone Actually Mean
Lets talk first about the definition of bioidentical hormones and synthetic hormones produced by pharmaceutical companies.
Bioidentical hormones are hormones that look exactly like the same hormones that your own body produces naturally.
The term bioidentical hormone is often used interchangeably with the term body identical hormone, but both terms are used to describe the same thing.
Think about it this way:
Your body produces a number of important hormones such as testosterone, estradiol , progesterone, and thyroid hormone.
Unfortunately, there are medical conditions that cause your body to secrete less hormone than you would if you were otherwise healthy.
The treatment for these conditions is to simply take the same hormone that your body would produce naturally, and give it to you in a pill or capsule form.
Makes sense, right?
Well, thats not what we do .
Instead, doctors typically prescribe medications that look SIMILAR to the same hormones your own body produces naturally in their place.
While these hormones may look similar and activate the same hormone receptors on your cells, they are NOT the same thing.
These hormones are what I refer to as Frankenstein hormones.
And the chances are high that youve probably taken them in the past.
How do I know? Because birth control pills fit into this category.
We will talk more about those later, for now, lets stay on the topic of bioidentical hormones versus hormones created by pharmaceutical companies.
See the problem?
Do All Menopausal Women Need Hormone Replacement
No, absolutely not.
BUT, most doctors, including Wellness Providers still pressure women to take them.
I disagree.
The theory is that youll age better, live longer, have more energy, better skin and sex life if you keep your hormones where they were in your 30s or 40s.
There are four problems with this.
1). There is a strong bias towards adding Estrogen and Testosterone, omitting Estriol and Progesterone. .
2). Not properly testing your starting hormone levels or following up to check dose.
3). Women with hysterectomies are told they dont need Progesterone, just Estrogen.
4). Almost all ignore the fact that healthy Adrenal Glands try to make these hormones for you during and after Menopause.
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Why Are Bioidentical Hormones Very Crucial With Doctors Who Prescribe Bioidentical Hormones Near Me
We cannot stress how important it is that you have the right hormones, the right levels, and the right delivery technique. Synthetic hormones, which are not completely similar to natural hormones, might cause health problems if they are absorbed incorrectly in the body. Patches and tablets do not always give an equal dose of estrogen, which might lead to unwanted side effects.
You may have complete faith in Renew Youths doctors, knowing that they will never coordinate treatment that is either harmful or useless.
Doctors Failing To Prescribe Low
Sandra Tsai
Doctors across the country are still prescribing higher-dose menopausal hormone therapy pills, despite clinical evidence that low doses and skin patches work just as well and carry fewer health risks. Thats what researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine found in a study published online Dec. 2 in Menopause: The Journal of the North American Menopause Society.
Doctors have been treating the symptoms of menopause with hormone therapy for decades. During menopause, the ovaries decrease their estrogen production, and women experience symptoms to varying degrees for some, symptoms are non-existent while for others they are debilitating. In the United States last year, formulations of estrogen and progestin hormones helped more than 6 million women who had symptoms such as hot flashes, sleep disturbance and irritability.
Randall Stafford
The latest findings from Stanford researchers show that as of 2009, physicians practices werent keeping up with this clinical evidence about lower hormone doses, which the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends. Were disappointed, said the papers senior author Randall Stafford, MD, PhD, associate professor of medicine at the Stanford Prevention Research Center. Yes, there was an increase in the use of low-dose preparations, but it was not sizeable.
Information about Stanfords Department of Medicine, which also supported the research, is available at .
- Sascha Zubryd
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