A 47-year-old woman attending the GP for perimenopausal symptoms asks about 'bioidentical' hormone creams she has seen advertised by a private clinic....

Question

A 47-year-old woman attending the GP for perimenopausal symptoms asks about 'bioidentical' hormone creams she has seen advertised by a private clinic. The advertisement claims they are custom-compounded and safer than standard HRT. Which is the most appropriate response?

Accepted Answer

Advise that compounded 'bioidentical' hormones from private clinics are unregulated, unstandardised, and not recommended by NICE, BMS, or RCOG. Regulated body-identical HRT (17-beta oestradiol and micronised progesterone) is available on the NHS and is the appropriate option.

Answer

Recommend the bioidentical hormones as they are likely safer

Answer

There is no difference between compounded and regulated hormones

Answer

All HRT is unregulated

Answer

She should avoid all forms of HRT

uk-drcog MCQ (SBA): Compounded Bioidentical HRT Warning

A 47-year-old woman attending the GP for perimenopausal symptoms asks about 'bioidentical' hormone creams she has seen advertised by a private clinic. The advertisement claims they are custom-compounded and safer than standard HRT. Which is the most appropriate response?