What is bioidentical hormone therapy?

• A. Plant-based phytoestrogens
• B. Hormones chemically identical to endogenous hormones, compounded or commercial.
• C. Hormones from animals
• D. Non-hormonal therapy

Answer: (B)

Bioidentical hormone therapy uses hormones that are chemically identical to the hormones the body produces itself. These hormones can be given in customized compounded forms or as commercially manufactured products. Because the molecules match the body's own hormones, they are intended to act in the same way as natural hormones like estradiol and progesterone. This identity distinguishes them from plant-based phytoestrogens, which are plant compounds with estrogen-like effects but not exact copies of human hormones, and from animal-derived hormones, which are not identical to human hormones. Non-hormonal therapy, by contrast, does not replace hormones at all.