Body-identical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) refers to the use of hormones that are molecularly identical to those naturally produced by the human body. BHRT is typically used to address hormone imbalances or deficiencies in both men and women.
The process of making body-identical hormones involves synthesizing or extracting hormones that have an identical chemical structure to the hormones naturally found in the body. For example:
1. Estradiol: Body-identical estradiol is typically synthesized from plant-based sources such as yam or soy. These plants contain compounds called phytosterols that can be converted into estradiol through chemical processes. The resulting estradiol is chemically identical to the estradiol produced in the ovaries. Estrogel is made from yam phytosteroids.
2. Progesterone: Body-identical pharmaceutical progesterone is made from wild yam using a chemical conversion process. This can lead to confusion—while wild yam can be a source of progesterone, it cannot be used without this pharmaceutical conversion. The plant-based progesterone is processed in a laboratory to create a form that is identical to the progesterone naturally produced by the human body.
3. Testosterone: Body-identical testosterone is typically synthesized from plant sterols, such as those found in soy or yam. The plant sterols undergo a series of chemical transformations to produce testosterone that is structurally identical to the testosterone naturally produced in the body.
The production of body-identical hormones involves stringent quality control measures to ensure purity, potency, and consistency. The manufacturing process may vary depending on the specific hormone and the pharmaceutical company producing the BHRT products.
It's always recommended to consult with a healthcare professional who specializes in hormone therapy to determine the most appropriate treatment and to obtain BHRT medications from a reputable source.
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