Natural Hormone Replacement Therapy

Medically reviewed

Medically reviewed by Brenda G., MD | Written by SheCares Editorial Team | Updated: Jun 26, 2020

Natural Hormone Replacement Therapy

Natural hormone replacement therapy, also known as bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT), is a type of therapy used to treat symptoms of hormonal imbalance during and after perimenopause. Continue reading to learn more about natural hormone replacement for menopause so that you can make a more informed decision about your reproductive health.

Natural Hormone Replacement Therapy Explained

Natural Hormone Replacement Therapy

The hormones used in BHRT are made from plant- or animal-based compounds and are created to be chemically identical to the endogenous hormones made by the body.  

Because bioidentical hormones act as the body's own hormones, bioidentical hormone therapy is commonly referred to as “natural” HRT.

However, this term “natural” is often perceived as a misnomer since they still have to be processed in a lab to be functional within the body.

Proponents of natural HRT therapy praise the treatment for its ability to be “personalized” to an individual's needs; whereas, normal HRT is generally standardized no matter the woman's needs.

Nevertheless, critics mention the fact that natural hormone treatment is not proven to be safer nor more effective than traditional HRT, and not all are FDA-approved for women.

Learn more about bioidentical hormones as a menopause treatment option by clicking on the previous link.

Other Treatment Options

Because BHRT and HRT both come with associated risks, many women are turning to alternatives for symptom relief. For more information on natural solutions for menopause symptoms and hormonal imbalance, click on the following link to learn about alternatives to hormone replacement therapy.