There is no single definition for the term<unk> " (BHT); it is generally used to refer to 17β-estradiol, but other uses include plant-based or compounded estrogen products that blend estradiol with estriol and sometimes with estrone. A<unk>  hormone" is defined as a molecule identical to a hormone produced by the human body (though not all allegedly<unk>  hormones sold by custom-compounding pharmacies are necessarily molecularly identical to endogenous humans). The FDA considers "BHT" as currently used by BHT advocates to be a marketing term, not a scientific term, and does not recognize its use. The meaning of "plant-derived" has also been attached to the term<unk> ", and it may also mean that the hormones are "natural"; throughout the 1990s plant-derived, compounded hormones were referred to as "natural hormone therapy". However, the term "natural" can be applied to all products where the principal ingredient originates from an animal, plant, or mineral source, and both<unk>  and non-bioidentical hormones can be produced from the same plant sources. "BHT" is often used to refer to a set of diagnostic, prescribing, preparation and marketing practices including compounding (the preparation of custom-mixed hormones by a pharmacist, according to a prescription), saliva testing, and an emphasis on countering the effects of aging rather than relieving the symptoms of menopause. This compounded BHT package has been promoted by Suzanne Sommers, Oprah Winfrey and other proponents as safer and more effective than CHRT, though there is no evidence to support these claims. Compounded BHT has been marketed on the internet by pharmacies which make unfounded claims for its safety and its effectiveness for a variety of conditions. There are a variety of FDA-approved products, made using<unk>  estrogens and micronized progesterone, used to treat the symptoms of menopause: Hormone class Type Brand names Preparations Notes Estrogens Micronized estradiol Estrace and others Pill and vaginal cream Vaginal cream for vaginal symptoms only; sourced from plants; estradiol is<unk>  until ingested and converted in the liver to estrone Alora, Climara, Esclim, Estraderm, Vivelle and others Patch Sourced from plants Estrogel Transdermal gel Sourced from plants Estrasorb Topical cream Sourced from plants Estring Vaginal ring For vaginal symptoms only; sourced from plants Estradiol acetate Femring Vaginal ring Estradiol hemihydrate Vagifem Vaginal tablet For vaginal symptoms only Micronized progesterone Micronized progesterone Prometrium Pill Prochieve 4% Vaginal gel The term "synthetic" is also used incorrectly by lay "experts" in two different ways - to refer to the process used to manufacture all estrogens, including<unk>  estrogens, and to compounds that interact with estrogen receptors similarly to estrogen molecules, but that are not found in nature. Examples of the latter two include diethylstilbestrol and ethinylestradiol.
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy
Masculinizing hormone therapy
Transgender hormone therapy
Androgen replacement therapy
Feminizing hormone therapy
Androgen deprivation therapy
Sex reassignment therapy
Estrogen deprivation therapy