What BHRT Actually Is (And Why Women Feel So Good on It)

Bioidentical hormones are made from natural plant sources like soy and yams, but here’s what matters: they’re molecular twins to the hormones your body used to make with its eyes closed. That means when you use them, your cells recognize them instantly. No confusion. No “umm… who are you?”
Just: Yes. That’s estrogen. That’s progesterone. Welcome back.

This is why so many women notice symptoms easing quickly—hot flashes calm down, sleep improves, mood stabilizes, libido resurfaces, and metabolism stops fighting them at every turn. You’re essentially restoring the hormonal signals your body is burning to have again.

Bioidentical vs Synthetic: Why the Form Matters

Synthetic hormones, on the other hand, are “close… but not quite.” They’re chemically altered enough that your hormone receptors don’t recognize them perfectly. Think of forcing a puzzle piece into the wrong spot. Sure, it might stay there for a minute, but is it ideal? Not really.

This mismatch is why synthetic hormones often come with more side effects and why so many women feel better once they switch to bioidentical.

BHRT Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All (And It Shouldn’t Be)

This is where things get personal—literally. No supplement, herb, or medication is universally “safe” across the board. You need someone who understands female physiology, hormone metabolism, your medical history, and where you are in your transition.

And a little PSA: not all bioidentical hormones are the same.
Some come from FDA-approved pharmaceutical companies.
Others are custom-compounded in specialized pharmacies with doses tailored to the individual woman.

Both can be excellent—when used appropriately by someone who knows what they’re doing.

Why Personalized BHRT Works So Well

Hormones are as unique to you as your fingerprints. What your sister needs, your best friend needs, or that influencer online is using may have nothing to do with what your body requires.

A good clinician will test, track symptoms, adjust dosing, and make sure your plan matches your physiology—not a template.

BHRT—done properly—feels like getting your body back.
Your clarity. Your energy. Your metabolism. Your personality.

How to Use Bioidentical Hormone Creams (Without Sabotaging Your Results)

Topical hormones absolutely work—but only when applied correctly. Here's how to get the best absorption and consistency.

1. Choose the Right Skin Areas

Hormones absorb best through thinner skin. That means:

• Inner arms

• Inner thighs

• Lower belly

• Behind the knees

• Labia (only when instructed)

Thick skin = poor absorption = wasted product.

2. Apply After Showering

Your skin is warm, clean, and ready. This is when absorption is highest.

3. Use the Correct Amount

Trying to “stretch” your cream to make it last longer only guarantees one thing: the dose won’t work. Use exactly what was prescribed.

4. Cover Enough Surface Area

This is a big one. Don’t massage an entire dose into a tiny two-inch patch of skin. Spread it over a larger area—roughly the size of a small plate.

5. Wash Your Hands After

You’d be shocked how many women accidentally dose their pets or partners. Soap and water stops that from happening.

FDA-Approved Bioidentical Hormone Options

These are pharmaceutical-grade bioidentical hormones that come pre-dosed and regulated:

Estradiol (Estrogen)

• Tablets: Estrace

• Patches: Alora, Climara, Esclim, Divigel, Estrosorb

• Ring: Femring

• Vaginal estrogen: Bijuva, Estrace cream, Estring, Vagifem, Imvexxy

Progesterone

• Oral: Prometrium (bioidentical micronized progesterone)

Compounded Bioidentical Hormones: Custom + Flexible

Compounding pharmacies are basically the Michelin-star chefs of hormone therapy.
They can customize doses, combine hormones, adjust strengths, and create delivery forms that aren’t commercially available.

Troches, creams, vaginal suppositories, sublinguals—you name it.

This is especially helpful if:

• You need a very specific dose

• You’re sensitive to fillers

• You don't tolerate oral progesterone

• You want combinations not made by big pharma

Over-the-Counter Hormone Creams: Yes, They Can Work

When sourced responsibly from a provider who knows what they’re doing (hi, that would be me), OTC creams can be a fantastic and cost-effective option. The key is:

• USP-grade hormones

• Clean formulas

• Correct strengths

• Clear usage guidance

My formulations are free of parabens, fragrances, and endocrine-disrupting fillers—because midlife women deserve better.

Common Delivery Forms

• Topical creams and gels

• Lozenges/troches

• Vaginal tablets

• Capsules

• Vaginal suppositories

• Vaginal creams

• Injections

• Pellets (not my favorite for most women, but they exist)

Typical Starting Doses

(These vary widely—this is just a reference point.)

• Estradiol Cream: 0.25–1 mg

• BiEst (50/50 E2/E3): 1–5 mg

• Progesterone Cream: 25–100 mg

• Oral Progesterone: 100–200 mg

• Testosterone Cream: 3–5 mg

• Injectable Testosterone: 10–15 mg weekly

• DHEA: 5–10 mg

• Pregnenolone Cream: 1–2 mg

• Pregnenolone Oral: 10–20 mg

Again—this is individualized. Some women need less; some need more.

Finding Your Hormone Sweet Spot

The goal of BHRT isn’t just symptom relief (though yes, that part is amazing).
It’s also about long-term protection—your cardiovascular system, bones, brain, skin, muscles, and metabolic health all depend on adequate hormones.

A great BHRT plan should help you:

1. Feel better now

2. Protect your long-term health

If what you’re doing isn’t working, that doesn’t mean hormones “don’t work for you.”
It means the dose, delivery method, or combination needs tweaking.