Are Compounded Hormones Better?

Compounding pharmacies are often associated with developing discontinued medications or removing allergen-triggering ingredients. These providers offer more than prescription fulfillment solutions. Another vital demographic that is served includes menopausal women. Compounding pharmacies offer customized solutions that provide workarounds for individuals who are unable to take standard manufacturer’s hormone replacement therapy (HRT) medications.

Can HRT be compounded?

HRT is a go-to solution for treating perimenopausal and menopausal women. The therapy helps to manage common side effects like insomnia, hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and even night sweats. In most individuals, symptoms are a direct result of reduced estrogen levels. Hormone supplementation can help to balance out levels and ease discomfort. Compounding works by either adjusting dosages or combining medications to help reduce the risk of common concerns like uterine cancer. Before going the compounding route, here are a few common questions patients have.

Creating customized formulas

A major part of understanding compounded HRT is to differentiate between customized blends and the standard formats pharmaceutical firms offer. Standardized versions are approved by regulators and consistently deliver the same dosage every time. Compounding is different because minor variants in raw materials impact dosages between batches. Still, for a woman who had a negative reaction to a higher or lower dose, the variation might be preferable to help manage side effects and determine patient tolerance.

Adjusting application methods

One of the biggest benefits of compounding is that a pharmacist can adjust the application method. Whereas the manufacturer’s preferred delivery format might be a pill or a patch, a compound pharmacy can transform the medication into a cream, alternative oral methods, or even a gel. A person who struggles to swallow pills may find that an alternative dosage form improves medication adherence. Similarly, trigger ingredients that might create sensitivities can also be filtered out throughout the process. Even for people who can still swallow pills, a pharmacist can shrink the size to make taking medication easier.

Are bioidentical hormones different?

Compounding HRT almost exclusively relies on bioidentical hormones, which are typically derived from plants. Still, people should know that standard manufactured menopause therapeutics can also contain bioidenticals. While often promoted as a safer or more effective treatment solution, no widespread research shows that bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) is riskier or safer than what’s often used in traditional HRT treatments. The concern around compound HRT treatment is that strength can vary between dosages, creating potential issues with efficacy and potency. Still, not every menopausal woman will be a good candidate for bioidentical hormones. People with a medical history containing risk factors like heart and cardiovascular disease, breast cancer, blood clots, or even stroke are usually discouraged from compounding.

Prioritizing quality of life

Any form of HRT, whether standard or compounded BHRT, requires consistent monitoring to ensure dosages are correct and the medication is working properly without adverse side effects. Still, avoiding the most severe menopausal side effects such as night sweats, anxiety, sleep difficulties, low libido and energy, and irritability can be life-changing. Not every woman’s physician will encourage compounded HRT, but for strong candidates, the customized medication regimen can improve quality of life and ensure that a biological stage doesn’t completely overtake life.