Compounded bioidentical hormone therapy: new recommendations from the 2020 National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine

Bioidentical hormones have the exact same chemical and molecular structure as hormones that are produced in the human body. Bioidentical hormones are available as FDA-approved hormone formulations. Nonapproved custom-compounded preparations are marketed as bioidentical, but content is uncertain. The widespread use of compounded bioidentical hormone therapy despite the lack of evidence to support its safety and efficacy is concerning. This Practice Pearl highlights the 2020 recommendations from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine regarding the use of compounded bioidentical hormones.

Automated summary

Bioidentical hormones have the same chemical and molecular structure as hormones produced in the human body. FDA-approved formulations are reliable, while nonapproved compounded preparations raise safety and efficacy concerns. The widespread use of compounded bioidentical hormone therapy without solid evidence is worrisome.