The Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) Study:
The WHI study, initiated in 2002, was a landmark research project that significantly impacted the use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT). This study primarily investigated the effects of hormone therapy, specifically the combination of estrogen and progestin, on the health of postmenopausal women. The findings revealed an increased risk of breast cancer, heart disease, stroke, and blood clots among women using this combination therapy. Consequently, there was a sharp decline in its usage as women and their healthcare providers around the world.
We specialise in advising about Bioidentical HRT vs Traditional HRT at 23MD London and Dubai. We have certainly realised that many women do not know the differences in the types of HRT available, to them, and indeed that one group is safer than another. The WHI study reshaped the global understanding and prescribing practices of HRT, underscoring the need for more personalised and safer treatment options.
Dr Martin Galy has been a leader in the field of BHRT prescribing and has been recommending BHRT formulas for his patients over 20 years . you can read more of what he says here in his book “Balancing Act, Everything you want to kwow about BHRT”.
Traditional HRT vs. Bioidentical HRT:
Traditional HRT often involves the administration of synthetic hormones such as conjugated equine estrogens (CEE) derived from the urine of pregnant mares and synthetic progestins. These do not match the molecular structure of human hormones.
In contrast, bioidentical HRT uses hormones like 17β-estradiol and micronised progesterone, which are chemically identical to those produced by the human body and often derived from plant sources.
However, many of the patients attending do not fully understand the differences and similarities between compounded and licensed BHRT.
MHRA/FDA-Approved Bioidentical HRT vs Compounded Bioidentical HRT (CBHT) vs:
Both CBHT and MHRA-approved BHRT use the same bioidentical hormones, 17β-estradiol and micronised progesterone, to create medicines. The key difference is that CBHRT is not prepared under a drug license.
MHRA/FDA-Approved Bioidentical HRT (BHRT):
These commercially manufactured products undergo extensive testing and must meet stringent safety and efficacy standards set by agencies like the MHRA in the UK and the FDA in the US. These products are consistently produced in controlled environments. This ensures uniformity in dosage and quality. MHRA/FDA-approved bioidentical HRT products are regarded as more reliable than CBHT. Bioidentical HRT (vs Traditional HRT) at 23MD London and Dubai is the preferred choice and always recommnede by our physicians at 23MD Dubai and London.
However , these licensed products may not suit every patients. For example, some patients do not tolerate them due to allergies or food intolerances, some perhaps do not absorb them properly, or indeed some patient require a different dose to what is available in the licensed products. This is where the use of compounded products is most needed.
Compounded Bioidentical HRT (CBHT):
This therapy is customised in compounding pharmacies to meet the specific needs of an individual patient. This allows for personalised doses and combinations of hormones to be possible . It uses the same 17β-estradiol and micronised progesterone as used in the licensed BHRT products. However, CBHT lacks standardisation;
- it is not produced with efficacy testing that MHRA or FDA approval requires.
- it cannot be licensed as the formula changes for each patient.
It is important that the compounded pharmacy used for your medications have rigorous checks in place to ensure quality and consistency. They should a also have a proven track record of producing high quality medicines that actually work. At 23MD in Dubai and London, we carefully choose who we use for compounding our prescriptions.
Conclusion for Bioidentical HRT vs Traditional HRT at 23MD London and Dubai:
However, The level of regulatory oversight and standardisation of CBHRT influences their general advisability.
At 23MD in London and Dubai, we provide each and every patient with clear and accurate advice. We outline the various options using BHT vs CBHT. We also do blood tests to provide further information about each persons needs. . After this we create an appropriate and individualised care plan for each persons requirement.
This degree of precision medicine has been a hallmark of 23MD in Chelsea and Dubai from their conception.
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