Bioidentical Hormone
A bioidentical hormone has the same chemical structure as the hormone a woman's own body makes. Bioidentical progesterone is progesterone. Progestins are altered copies. They are not progesterone. Hormone replacement therapy may use either kind.
The two act differently in the body. One trial followed 18 women past menopause who had heart disease. Estrogen with progesterone allowed longer exercise before signs of poor blood flow to the heart. Estrogen with a progestin did not do as well. Two women left that study with unstable chest pain while taking the progestin.1
Progesterone also does work of its own. One trial tested it against placebo in 133 healthy women in early menopause. Oral progesterone eased hot flashes and night sweats more than placebo did.2
Cited in this entry
- Rosano GM, Webb CM, Chierchia S, Morgani GL, Gabraele M, Sarrel PM, Collins P, de Ziegler D. Natural progesterone, but not medroxyprogesterone acetate, enhances the beneficial effect of estrogen on exercise-induced myocardial ischemia in postmenopausal women. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 2000. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11127455/
- Hitchcock CL, Prior JC. Oral micronized progesterone for vasomotor symptoms--a placebo-controlled randomized trial in healthy postmenopausal women. Menopause (New York, N.Y.). 2012. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22453200/
This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult an RRM clinician or healthcare provider for guidance specific to your situation.