Jennifer L. Cova, D.O. FACOG

The Science of Bio-Identical Hormones

• Bio-identical hormones are medications, not natural products. They are manufactured by drug companies from soy and yam oils. The only natural thing about them is their molecular formula which is identical to the molecular formula of hormones our bodies make. The difference between equine and bio-identical hormones is crucial information that most medical schools have not taught their students.
• The term bio-identical is not a marketing term, it is a descriptive term. It describes the biologically identical molecular structure of bio-identical hormones. It is a term that makes the important distinction between bio-identical hormones and non-biologically identical hormones.
• Bio-identical estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone are FDA approved. Estradiol and testosterone can only be obtained by prescription through a licensed medical practitioner (some states allow nurse practitioners to write prescriptions while others do not). Estriol is not FDA approved.
• Progesterone is the only bio-identical hormone available without prescription in low doses, 50 mg or less per unit dose.
• Bio-identical hormones are commercially available from pharmaceutical companies in formulations in which they can patent the transport system such as in troches, gels, patches, and creams. Examples include but are not limited to the following: Vivelle patch, Climara, Estraderm, Estrace, Prometrium, Androgel. These commercially available bio-identical hormones cannot have the dose adjusted. They are standardized to specific doses. Also, the hormones are not delivered in a manner but have peaks and valleys in blood levels as well as varying rates absorption through the skin due to skin environmental factors at the time of application (dryness, moistness, flakiness, etc.)
• To circumvent this dosing problem compounding is another viable option for the use of bio-identical hormones. Compounding pharmacies provide individualized preparations of bio-identical hormones in gels, creams, capsules, sublingual troches, and subdermal pellets.
• Bio-identical hormone pellet insertion offers a sustained release and high compliance way to regulate blood hormone levels at a steady state. They also avoid the problem of hepatic degradation to active metabolites (via the portal system) as seen when oral ingestion of testosterone and estradiol are attempted.

Bio-Identical Hormone Therapy

The Complete Women’s Practice is the incorporation of obstetric and gynecological care with medical grade cosmetic products and aesthetic services to create the comprehensive center for your complete well being.

The Complete Women’s Practice

8:30AM – 4PM Monday (7:30PM medspa)
8:30AM – 4PM Tuesday
8:30AM – 4PM Wednesday
8:30AM – 4PM Thursday
8:30AM – 4PM Friday (2PM ob/gyn)

Closed daily 12-1PM
Appointments or Walk-Ins