Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT)

Bioidentical hormones are chemically and structurally the same as those naturally made by the human body. Bioidentical hormones are designed to bind to the same receptors as the body’s own internal hormones and undergo similar enzymatic breakdown. Belmar Pharmacy compounds with USP-grade bioidentical hormones like estradiol, testosterone, and progesterone that are sourced from plants.

Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) is designed to optimize the body’s hormones during perimenopause, after menopause, or to support other hormone deficiencies, such as hypothyroidism. Bioidentical hormones are chemically and structurally the same as those naturally made by the human body. Bioidentical hormones are designed to bind to the same receptors and undergo similar enzymatic breakdown. Compounded bioidentical hormone therapies from Belmar Pharmacy are sourced from plants and can be customized to meet individual needs, often using estradiol, progesterone, and/or testosterone. BHRT is available in many different strengths and dosage forms, including oral or fast-burst sublingual tablets, topical creams, vaginal suppositories, and pellets.

Belmar Pharmacy compounds with USP-grade bioidentical hormones sourced from plants. Bioidentical hormones are chemically and structurally the same as those naturally made by the human body. Bioidentical hormones are designed to bind to the same receptors and undergo similar enzymatic breakdown. Synthetic hormones are created to mimic human hormone effects, but often have a different molecular structure and metabolism than the body’s own hormones. Differences in chemical makeup and breakdown can result in differences in biological activity.

Bioidentical hormones are chemically and structurally the same as those naturally made by the human body. Currently Belmar Pharmacy’s bioidentical estradiol and estriol are derived from soy, and bioidentical testosterone, progesterone, DHEA, and pregnenolone are derived from yams. Traditional hormone replacement therapy involves synthetic or animal-derived hormones that are not native to the human body. More importantly, traditional HRT typically lacks chemical structure similarities to the body’s endogenous hormones. For example, medroxyprogesterone is not structurally similar to the progesterone made within the human body, nor is it broken down or metabolized in the same way.

When starting any new therapy, prescribers should discuss therapeutic risks and benefits with their patients, including common signs of an allergic reaction. Bioidentical hormone pellets involve an in-office procedure for insertion that requires breaking the skin and introducing a hormone into the bloodstream. As with any medical procedure, there can be localized bleeding, bruising, or slight discomfort. Fibrous tissue at repeated insertion sites can occur over time. Pellet extrusions or infections are rare and should be reviewed with the medical team prior to the process.