BHRT vs. Traditional HRT — What’s the Difference, and Does It Matter?

Gwenn Leatherman DNP-BC
May 25
2 min read

If you’re in your 40s or 50s (or even late 30s!) and starting to feel “off” — mood swings, fatigue, weight gain, brain fog, or night sweats — your hormones might be shifting. The next step many women explore is hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

But here’s where it gets confusing fast:

What’s the difference between bioidentical and traditional HRT?

Is one safer than the other?

Do I really need hormones?

Let’s break it down — woman to woman — so you can feel more confident about your options.

⚖️ What Is Traditional HRT?

Traditional hormone therapy often uses synthetic hormones or hormones derived from animal sources (like conjugated estrogens from horse urine — yes, really). These have been FDA-approved for decades and are commonly prescribed in pills, patches, or creams.

They work — but for many women, they can come with side effects or may not feel quite right in the body.

What Is BHRT (Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy)?

BHRT uses hormones that are molecularly identical to the ones your body naturally produces. They’re often made from plant sources and are custom-compounded to match your specific hormonal needs.

The body recognizes them more easily, which may lead to better symptom relief with fewer side effects.

Why We Use Hormone Pellets...

At our clinic, we specialize in bioidentical hormone pellets — tiny implants placed just under the skin (usually in the gluteal area) that release a steady stream of hormones over 3–4 months.

✅ More energy

✅ Clearer thinking

✅ Better sleep

✅ Stable weight

✅ Joint pain relief

✅ Improved libido and mood

✅ No more brain fog

BHRT vs. Traditional HRT: Quick Comparison

Feature	Traditional HRT	Bio-identical HRT (BHRT)
Source	Synthetic or animal-based	Plant-based, compounded
Structure	Not identical to human hormones	Matches natural hormones exactly
Delivery	Pills, patches, creams	Pellets, creams, lozenges, more
Customization	Standard doses	Personalized dosing possible
Popularity with Providers	Common in conventional medicine	Growing in integrative care
Used by Our Providers	❌	✅ (Yes, we use BHRT ourselves!)

So… Does It Really Matter?

Yes — if you want to feel like yourself again.

BHRT offers a more natural, personalized, and often better-tolerated alternative to traditional hormone therapy. It’s not about trends — it’s about helping your body function the way it was designed to.

And when your providers actually use what they prescribe?

That’s care you can trust.