Ask Emily — hormone replacement therapy

QUESTION:

What is hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and how is it different from bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (bHRT)?

ANSWER:

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is the term we generally refer to when regarding synthetic hormones, such as Premarin and Prempro. These drugs have been used for decades to “replace” the hormones women begin to lose during perimenopause. However, synthetic forms of progesterone and estrogen are not natural replacements for our bodies. Premarin uses estrogen from pregnant horses, while Prempro uses progestins that have been artificially produced. Bioidentical HRT, on the other hand, refers to hormones that are biochemically identical to those we make in our bodies.

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More questions on hormone replacement therapy

Our Personal Program is a great place to start

The Personal Program promotes natural hormonal balance with nutritional supplements, our exclusive endocrine support formula, dietary and lifestyle guidance, and optional phone consultations with our Nurse–Educators. It is a convenient, at-home version of what we recommend to all our patients at the clinic.

• To learn more about the Program, go to How the Personal Program works.
• To select the Program that's right for your symptoms, go to Choose the plan that works for you.
• To assess your symptoms, take our on-line Hormonal Health Profile.
• If you're ready to get started, learn about our risk-free trial.

If you have questions, don’t hesitate to call us toll-free at 1-800-798-7902. We’re here to listen and help.

Last Modified: 02/15/2008