When it comes to hormones, many women are familiar with contraceptive pills, patches, or implants, but the conversation shifts as they enter the perimenopausal and menopausal stages. There’s often confusion between the hormones used in contraception and those found in Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). Understanding the difference is crucial, particularly with the rise of body identical HRT, which offers a safer, more natural solution for managing menopausal symptoms and aging.
What Are Body Identical Hormones?
Body identical hormones are exactly what they sound like, hormones that are identical in structure to those naturally produced by your body. When discussing HRT, body identical hormones refer to products such as oestradiol (a form of estrogen) and micronised progesterone (if a progestogen is required). These hormones are subject to rigorous safety testing, quality control, and regulation by the Medicines Regulatory Agency. Trusted by the NHS and recommended by NICE (National Institute of Health and Care Excellence), body identical HRT offers a reliable option for women looking to balance their hormones safely.
Unlike older forms of HRT, which often used synthetic or animal-derived hormones, body identical HRT mirrors your body’s natural hormones. The estrogen, for example, is derived from yams, making it a plant-based, non-synthetic option. This can be a key factor in why modern HRT is so much more effective and safer than its predecessors.
Contraceptive Hormones vs. HRT
A common misconception is that HRT is similar to the hormones found in contraceptives, but they are quite different. Contraceptives like “the pill” use synthetic hormones, designed to prevent pregnancy. These synthetic hormones are much stronger than those used in HRT, which is usually only about 10% of the dosage strength. Contraceptives also often contain ethinylestradiol, a synthetic estrogen, while body identical HRT uses oestradiol, which is identical to the estrogen your body naturally produces.
Moreover, HRT is designed to address menopausal symptoms and offer long-term health benefits, such as bone density protection. Body identical HRT is not only effective in managing symptoms like hot flushes, night sweats, and mood swings but has also been shown to prevent serious conditions like osteoporosis. Emerging research even suggests that HRT can lower the risk of dementia and heart disease, and exciting studies are still being conducted.
What About Bioidentical Hormones?
It’s essential to differentiate between body identical hormones and bioidentical hormones. While the terms sound similar, they are very different in terms of effectiveness, safety and regulation. Bioidentical hormones are often marketed as “natural” and “customised” products, but they are unregulated and lack the rigorous testing that body identical HRT undergoes. These hormones are often compounded in private clinics and sold as creams or gels, but they are not subject to the same safety standards as licensed HRT products.
For example, progesterone creams, commonly used in bioidentical hormone treatments, are poorly absorbed through the skin, meaning their effectiveness is questionable. The British Menopause Society and NHS do not recommend bioidentical hormones due to the lack of evidence and regulation. For safe and effective treatment, body identical hormones, which are available on the NHS, are the preferred option.
Why Consider Body Identical HRT?
For many women, transitioning from contraceptive hormones to HRT can be daunting, but body identical HRT offers a safer, natural way to support your body during menopause. It’s more than just relieving symptoms, HRT can have long lasting benefits, which will greatly affect how a woman ages. In addition to helping with the immediate challenges like mood swings, night sweats, and vaginal dryness, body identical HRT also protects against bone loss and may reduce the risk of heart disease and dementia.
If you’re unsure about which stage of menopause you’re in or want to explore whether body identical HRT is right for you, a one-on-one Individual Session: HRT & Supplements can provide you with a safe space to discuss your symptoms. In these sessions, you’ll receive digestible information that can help you have a more informed discussion with your doctor or menopause healthcare specialist.
Takeaway
The key difference between contraceptive hormones and HRT is the type of hormones used and the purpose they serve. Contraceptives prevent pregnancy with synthetic, high-dose hormones, while body identical HRT uses natural, low-dose hormones to restore balance during menopause. Choosing body identical HRT can offer not only symptom relief but long-term health benefits, giving you peace of mind during this stage of life.