Compounding is the pharmaceutical practice of creating personalized medicine.

It can provide solutions to those with allergies to ingredients found in common medications, treatment to those who need a different dose than common shelf medication, or access to those that need a hard to find drug.

Simply put, by creating medicine that’s customized for you, compounding closes the gap between what you need and what big commercial pharmacies can provide.

The Role of Compounding In Hormone Therapy (HT)

Compounding medication is an option for those that are going through hormone therapy (HT). Doctors prescribe bioidentical hormones for this type of treatment to supplement the body when specific hormones are not being produced enough. Bioidentical hormones match the molecular structure of the hormones found in your body. There are several different compounds found in bioidentical hormone creams:

1. Estradiol
2. Estriol
3. Progesterone
4. Testosterone
5. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)

Compounded Medication Provide These General Benefits and are Important for Women’s Hormonal Health Because…

• Medications can be made in different strengths. Compounding allows you to find the specific dose that the large chain pharmacies don’t sell. They can customize something that is right for you which is vital for those going through hormone therapy. Each woman is different and deserves to be treated so. Levels of hormones vary from person to person. The most significant benefit of compounding medication for hormonal health is that a dose is made just for you.
• Medications can be customized. Pharmacists can use ingredients that don’t trigger an allergic response. For those with allergies to certain dyes, flavorings, gluten, or lactose, your medications can be customized to prevent sensitivity to a reaction.
• Compounding can provide alternative ways of consumption. You won’t have to suffer from the horrible taste of some medications. Your medications can be converted to liquids, pills, topical creams, or injectables. They can even be flavored!
• Sometimes compounding your medicine can be cheaper than commercial products. Depending on the medication, your pharmacy can combine several medications into one.

Compounded Medications are Used for These Hormone-Related Conditions:

• Infertility: Many women turn to specialized medicine to induce and maintain pregnancy. Compounded medicine can be used in In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) and other Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) treatments.
• Menopause: Menopause is clinically diagnosed after a woman has gone 12 months without her period. It is a natural process but can include physical symptoms. Compounded medication may be used to relieve the symptoms if other medications are not adequate.
• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): Factors that play a role in this hormonal condition include an excess of insulin, excess of androgen, low-grade inflammation, and heredity. Women with PCOS experience infrequent or prolonged menstrual periods and develop follicles that prevent eggs from being released. Compounded medicine can restore hormones to a natural level.
• Primary Ovarian Insufficiency: POI is diagnosed when a woman’s ovaries stop working normally before she is 40 years old. It is not to be confused with premature menopause which is when your period stops before age 40. With POI, you will experience an irregular menstrual period and sometimes can occur as early as a woman’s teen years.

Conclusion

Compounding medication can help women going through hormone therapy or those looking to become pregnant. The largest advantage of compounding is that it can be customized for you. Talk to your endocrinologist and see if compounding medication is right for you.

Are you or someone you know in need of compounded medication? Give SMP Pharmacy a call.