Our pharmacy specializes in compounding bio-identical hormone replacement therapy prescriptions. Bio-identical hormones differ from other forms of HRT because of their structure. Bio-identical hormones are chemically identical to our own natural hormones. These hormones are plant derived from soy or wild yam, and are converted to estrone, estridiol, estriol, progesterone, testosterone, dehydroepiandosterone (DHEA) and Thyroid (T3/T4).

Synthetic or mismatched hormones, do not have the same structure of our natural hormones. Some estrogen hormone products are derived from the urine of pregnant horses. While these hormones may be natural and appropriate for the horse, the ratio of different estrogens, the types of estrogens, the dose, and the chemical structures of the estrogens are foreign to the human body; they do not have the same pharmacological activity in our bodies. Some synthetic hormone products may be plant derived, however they are converted into equilin hormones rather than human hormones. The Women’s Health Initiative study found that mismatched hormones increase the risk of breast cancer, heart disease, stroke and blood clots. None of these serious side effects have been observed in research on bio-identical hormones. While bio-identical hormones have not been researched as extensively in the U.S. as mismatched hormones, the existing clinical trials in Europe on bio-identical hormones show they are more effective and have fewer side effects than mismatched hormones.

At Blue Mountain Apothecary, we work exclusively with bio-identical hormones. We custom compound prescriptions so our patients receive the dosages, delivery methods, and ratios of different hormones that are specifically appropriate for that individual. For more information about bio-identical hormones, please explore the links below or contact us to receive an information packet.

 View the series of articles we’ve published in
 Howard County’s Woman’s Journal about
 compounding and BHRT. (14 kb pdf)