Bioidentical Progesterone: Cream vs. Compounded - Which is Right for You?

Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy is gaining in popularity as doctors realize these hormones are better for their patients than synthetics. Progesterone cream is available over the counter, or you can opt to have it specifically formulated for you.

Why Use Progesterone

• Progesterone replacement has been prescribed for decades in the form of synthetic substitutes. It assists your body to balance estrogen and testosterone levels. It can help with symptoms like hair loss, weight gain and mental fuzziness.

Safety

• Ready-made progesterone cream is safe in the recommended dosage of USP 20 mg per ¼ tsp. dose. The hormone your pharmacist compounds is also safe if he uses natural sources instead of synthetic progestin.

Efficacy

• Both can be effective. Individually compounded creams are usually made at 400 to 450 mg per ounce, according to Wulf Utian PhD. Check over-the-counter creams to make sure they contain at least USP 400 mg progesterone per ounce.

Cost

• Ready-made cream can cost as little as $12 per jar. Prescriptions can sometimes be more costly, especially if a pharmacist has compounded the drug specifically for you.

Considerations

• Discuss your options with your doctor. You may want to try the ready-made cream to see if it works for you before incurring further expense.