Custom-compounded medications are often sold as "bioidentical hormone replacement therapy" and are not regulated by the FDA. A compounding pharmacy uses your saliva or blood test results to customize a prescription that may contain any variation of hormones, including estrone, estradiol, progesterone and testosterone.

However, research has determined that these saliva or blood tests are unreliable because your hormone levels constantly change throughout the day. Women who use custom compounds will not always get the proper dose. Products from compounding pharmacies are not subjected to the same high quality assurance standards that commercially available hormone therapies have to meet. Furthermore, the FDA does not approve any custom compounds.

To learn more about the risks of custom compounds, click here.