The most commonly prescribed synthetic hormones are derived from the urine of pregnant mares. While these synthetic products contain Estradiol and Estrone, they also contain Equalin and other horse hormones that are not found in the human body. The human body lacks the enzymes necessary to fully metabolize these synthetic compounds, versus bio-identicals which the body can easily use and eliminate.

Bio-identical replacement for estrogen is a combination of three different molecules all found naturally in the human body. These three hormones are Estriol (E3), the most prevalent estrogen found in the body and not found in most synthetic hormone drugs, along with Estradiol (E2), and Estrone (E1). Your clinician may prescribe a one or more of these hormones depending on your symptoms, health history and desired result.

The most commonly prescribed progesterone replacement is actually a synthetic progestin (a progesterone-like substance), called medroxyprogesterone. This compound is a man-made product which does not mimic all the properties of natural progesterone throughout the body. It masks some of the symptoms of menopause but does not provide the benefits of natural progesterone.