BLOG #1  -  10/2025

What does biologically identical hormone therapy mean and why does it matter?

 

At Harmony HRT, we only prescribe hormones that are classified as biologically identical. What does that mean? It means the hormones are biochemically identical to those hormones that are found in our bodies. We frequently refer to these as BHRT (Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Therapy).

Why does this matter? When we take medications that our body does not recognize, metabolites are made, especially if they go through the liver, that may trigger unwanted responses in our physiology. A perfect example of this is conjugated estrogens, aka Premarin, and medroxyprogesterone (Provera). These are not biochemically identical estradiol (the main estrogen in the human body), or progesterone, they are molecules that were made similar to our natural estradiol and progesterone, so they have effect at the same receptor sites as estradiol and progesterone. The problem with this is that when these chemicals go through the liver (when they are swallowed in a tablet form), the metabolites made in the liver seem to trigger negative consequences, like blood clots and even triggering cancer genes. We see this with other estrogens and progestins as well. In my cynical opinion, the only reason these hormones exist is because pharmaceutical companies cannot patent things that occur in nature (like hormones) so they have to tweak it to make it unique, giving up the safety benefit of a natural hormone, but making them a lot more money.

The Women’s Health Initiative, published in 2001, proved that these non-identical hormones cause health issues, although there were a lot of problems with the study (another post to come later), it resulted in a lot of women getting taken off their hormones, instead of switched to something safer. There are many studies proving the efficacy and safety of biologically identical hormones (estradiol, progesterone, testosterone) so we do have options That means these biologically identical hormones work. They help our symptoms without causing more health issues down the road. They definitely can still have side effects but these are not life-threatening like those that are created in a lab.

On the internet, you can find lots of information about HRT. Please make sure to look at the source and if they have actual studies cited before deciding to try something. When in doubt ask us (or your provider, if it isn’t us).

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BY Dr. Bratteli, Owner of Harmony HRT