CU fertility specialist discusses why the rise of bioidentical menopause hormones is unnecessary and even harmful
Fox Health recently reported that a growing number of U.S. women are taking unregulated compounded hormones, often marketed as “bioidentical” hormones that are allegedly more like naturally occurring hormones, in order to reduce hot flashes and other menopause symptoms.
Dr. Nanette Santoro, a fertility specialist at the University of Colorado OB-GYN, provided a response to the recent study in the article. “I generally recommend against using compounded hormones,” Santoro said. “While compounded hormones might make sense for some women who are allergic to ingredients in the FDA-approved drugs, most women don’t need custom-blended therapies.”
Santoro also added that compounded hormones may be mixed incorrectly or be contaminated with harmful ingredients.