Controversy is brewing over bio-identical hormones as a result of restriction the FDA wants to make. Bioidentical refers to hormones in specially compounded preparations. Most people understand this term to mean that the hormones are the same as the ones produced by the body estradiol, estrone, estriol, progesterone, and testosterone. The FDA, on the other hand, feels bio-identical is misleading in that it will lead the public to think that they exactly replicate the body’s own hormone balance. So they are recommending that the term compounded hormone therapy be used. What is more troubling is the attempts of the FDA to terminate the use of Estriol by compounding pharmacies. They feel it is illegal because it is unapproved. In speaking with the compounding pharmacy that we use they mentioned that they have several lawsuits going with the FDA and that Estriol will fortunately not be taken out of compounded formulas in the near future. Of course, the pharmaceutical companies are pressuring the FDA to take this action because the compounding pharmacies are eating into their profits.
— Terry Pfau DO, HMD
