Do Your Research

Bioidentical hormones are easier for your body to metabolize and are free of some unpleasant side effects associated with synthetic (man-made) hormones. When going through the natural changes of aging and menopause, your hormone levels begin to drop, (which is what is supposed to happen) and bioidentical hormone replacement therapy is a natural way to balance your hormone levels again.

Because pharmaceutical companies can not patent anything that is bioidentical or natural (existing in nature), there are several pharmaceutical companies now marketing bioidentical hormones. They were never interested in bioidentical hormones in the past because they felt there was no profit to be made.

Natural

Bioidentical hormones are sometimes referred to as natural hormones. They act at your cell receptors and break down in your cells (metabolize) exactly the same way the estrogen and progesterone, naturally made inside your body, has always done.

Bioidentical hormones are just like the hormones that our bodies were designed to recognize and utilize, so we have less chance for unpredictable side effects at low replacement doses than with synthetic, non-bioidentical hormones.

Advantages

The advantages of bioidentical hormones are that they are individualized, generally well tolerated and produce exceptional reversal of menopausal symptoms in most cases. In well known medical journals, researchers have reported that the bioidentical hormones, estrogen and testosterone, are not only safe but also have a positive impact on some diseases like osteoporosis and prostate cancer.

In July of 2002, results of the Women's Health Initiative study revealed that (traditional hormone replacement therapy) HRT, raised the risk of heart disease, breast cancer, stroke, blood clots, and dementia.

European medical studies suggest that bioidentical hormones are safer than synthetic versions. 
They have been using this method for years.

Compounding

Compounding pharmacy is the process of mixing drugs by a pharmacist or doctor to match the specific needs of a patient.

Compounding preparations are particularly prevalent for:  a low dose for an infant, patients needing pills converted into a liquid or transdermal gel (if someone isn't able to swallow pills), patients requiring a medication without gluten or colored dyes, patients on meds that have been discontinued by pharmaceutical manufacturers due to low proftis, and patients who are choosing bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, etc.

Ancient cultures used pharmaceutical compounding for religion, grooming, preventing sickness, treating the sick and preparing the dead.

Disadvantages

Although bioidentical hormones are not FDA approved, they are being used more and more throughout the world everyday. (From my experience, we can not rely on the FDA to protect us from harm. How many people die every year from side effects of prescription drugs?)

Bioidentical and other natural hormones bought over the counter or on the internet are frequently not micronized or found in high enough dosages to be effective.

Not all pharmacies have the expertise to do the bioidentical compounding just for your body, so be sure to contact the International Academy of Compounding Pharmacists to receive a list of qualified pharmacies to find one in your area.

In the United States, The Pharmacy Compounding Accreditation Board was created in 2006 as a voluntary accreditation body by pharmacy organizations to bring about high quality standards for compounding pharmacies.

It always depends on who is behind the article or information. There seems to be no "one size fits all" when it comes to any kind of treatment of menopausal symptoms.  There are no two people with identical fingerprints, why would this be any different? Some women need treatment and some don't.

Each person who chooses to use it will stay on it for different lengths of time depending on their own body.

If I could not tolerate my symptoms and it was affecting everything in my life in a negative way, this would be one of the many alternative methods I would look into.  Of course healthy eating and consistent exercise go along with whatever you are doing.