If you are looking for hormone therapy in South Florida, you may see very different options: FDA-approved estradiol patches or pills, progesterone capsules, vaginal therapies, compounded “bioidentical” hormones, and pellet clinics that advertise customized dosing.
The language can be confusing. “Natural,” “bioidentical,” “custom,” and “balanced” may sound reassuring, but those words do not automatically tell you whether a product has been reviewed by the FDA for safety, effectiveness, quality, and labeling.
This article is not about shaming anyone who has used a particular treatment. It is about helping you ask better questions before choosing hormone care.
What FDA-approved hormone therapy means
FDA-approved hormone therapy has gone through FDA review for the specific product, dose, manufacturing quality, labeling, and approved uses. There are FDA-approved estrogen and progesterone options used in menopause care, including products that are chemically similar to hormones the body makes.
FDA-approved does not mean risk-free. It means the product has been evaluated through a regulated pathway, and the risks, benefits, dosing, and labeling are more standardized.
The FDA also provides patient information about menopause medicines, including approved hormone options.
What compounded hormones are
Compounded hormones are mixed or prepared by a compounding pharmacy. Compounding can be appropriate in some situations, such as when a patient needs a formulation that is not commercially available or has an allergy to an ingredient in an approved product.
But compounded menopause hormone therapy is often marketed as safer, more natural, or more personalized than FDA-approved therapy. That is where caution is needed.
ACOG states that compounded bioidentical menopausal hormone therapy should not be prescribed routinely when FDA-approved formulations exist. ACOG also notes concerns about inconsistent potency and limited safety and effectiveness data.
What pellets are
Hormone pellets are small implants placed under the skin that release hormones over time. Some pellet clinics use compounded products or testosterone-containing regimens.
Pellets can be difficult to adjust quickly once inserted. If the dose is too high, side effects may persist until hormone levels decline. Depending on what is used, potential concerns can include acne, facial hair growth, mood changes, voice changes, bleeding changes, or other effects.
If a clinic recommends pellets, ask exactly what hormone is being used, whether the product is FDA-approved for menopause treatment, how dosing is determined, what side effects are monitored, and what happens if the dose is not right.
Bioidentical does not always mean FDA-approved
“Bioidentical” usually means a hormone has a similar molecular structure to a hormone produced by the body. Some FDA-approved products can be described this way. Some compounded products also use this term.
The important question is not only whether something is called bioidentical. Ask:
Questions to ask
Before choosing hormone care
- Is this product FDA-approved?
- Is the dose standardized?
- What evidence supports this route and dose for my symptoms?
- How will side effects be managed?
- Can the treatment be adjusted or stopped easily?
- Is testosterone included?
- Are hormone levels being used in a way that is clinically meaningful?
Clear answers matter more than marketing language.
Why Flourish emphasizes FDA-approved options
Flourish is built around doctor-guided perimenopause and menopause care. When hormone therapy is clinically appropriate, Flourish emphasizes FDA-approved medication options and sends prescriptions to the patient’s chosen pharmacy.
Flourish does not ship medication, does not sell compounded hormone products, and does not prescribe testosterone therapy.
That does not mean every patient needs hormone therapy. It means that when medication is part of the plan, the goal is a clear, evidence-informed recommendation with practical pharmacy access.
What to ask before choosing hormone care
Before starting any hormone plan, ask:
Before you say yes
Make sure you know
- Is the medication FDA-approved for this use?
- If it is compounded, why is an FDA-approved option not appropriate?
- What exact hormones and doses are included?
- Is testosterone part of the plan?
- How will side effects be monitored?
- Can the dose be adjusted quickly if needed?
- What symptoms should prompt follow-up or in-person care?
- Will I receive a written care plan that explains the reasoning?
You deserve care that is clear enough to understand and safe enough to question.
If you are still deciding whether hormone therapy is even the right conversation, read is HRT right for me?.