What is compounded HRT — and why might it be helpful for some women?
Understanding the Basics
What Is Compounded HRT?
I prescribe both standard (licensed) HRT and compounded HRT, and I do not favour one over the other. Both have an important place in menopause care.
Compounded HRT simply means hormones that are prepared in customised doses or combinations for an individual patient, rather than being produced in fixed, standard strengths by pharmaceutical manufacturers. It allows oestrogen, progesterone, and testosterone to be adjusted in strength, ratio, or delivery method depending on individual need.
Compounded HRT is prepared by specialist pharmacies. In the UK, these pharmacies are regulated by the General Pharmaceutical Council, along with all high street pharmacies. The hormones used are bio-identical, meaning they are chemically identical to those produced by the body, and all ingredients are traceable and prepared to strict pharmaceutical standards.
It is important to understand that compounded HRT is not new or experimental. Compounded medicines have long been used in mainstream medicine, including in hospitals within the NHS, particularly in paediatrics (where doses must be adjusted for body weight) and oncology (where highly individualised dosing is essential).
At a Glance
Standard (Licensed) HRT
Fixed doses designed for the general population.
Compounded HRT
Specialised, individually tailored and adjusted to the patient — available from select expert menopause clinics, including OMC.
For many women, standard HRT works extremely well and remains the first and best option. Compounded HRT exists to provide flexibility and personalisation when standard treatments do not fully meet an individual’s needs.
A Balanced View
Why Is Compounded HRT Sometimes Controversial?
In the UK, organisations such as the British Menopause Society have raised concerns about compounded hormones. These concerns usually relate to:
- Whether progesterone doses are sufficient to protect the womb lining
- Variability in sourcing and consistency of ingredients
- Lack of large-scale clinical trials compared with licensed products
These are valid considerations in principle, and they highlight why the quality of prescribing, sourcing, and monitoring is essential.
Our Commitment
How Compounded HRT Is Used Safely in My Practice
I only work with UK-based specialist compounding pharmacies that are fully registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council.
I have prescribed compounded HRT alongside standard HRT for many years, with careful monitoring and good clinical outcomes.
Our Commitment
- All raw hormone ingredients are fully traceable
- Preparation is carried out to strict pharmaceutical standards
- Doses are precisely calculated and clearly labelled
- Quality, accuracy, and consistency are independently regulated
Personalised Treatment
When Might Compounded HRT Be Useful?
For many women, licensed standard HRT works extremely well and remains the first-line option. However, compounded HRT may be considered in certain situations:
Sensitivity or Side Effects
Dose Flexibility
Intolerance to Ingredients or Delivery Methods
For women who cannot tolerate certain fillers, patches, gels, or oral preparations.
Complex Symptom Patterns
Patient Preference
Previous Difficulties with Standard HRT
A Balanced View
Why Is Compounded HRT Sometimes Controversial?
Compounded HRT is not better or worse than standard HRT — it is simply different.
What matters most is that hormone treatment is:
Carefully assessed
Safely prescribed
Properly monitored
Tailored to the individual
Good menopause care is not about ideology or rigid rules. It is about listening, individualising treatment, and practising safely and responsibly.
If compounded HRT is appropriate, it should be used thoughtfully and with medical expertise. If standard HRT is the right choice, it should be used confidently and optimised properly. In many cases, women do very well on standard options alone.
Our role is to help women understand their choices clearly — and support them in making informed decisions that feel right for their body and their health.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between standard HRT and compounded HRT?
Standard (licensed) HRT comes in fixed doses designed for the general population. Compounded HRT is specialised, individually tailored and adjusted to the patient, and only available from a few select expert menopause clinics, one of which is OMC.
How much does it cost?
Standard HRT costs just over £1 a day. Compounded HRT costs between £2 and £3 per day but obviously it does depend what you have been prescribed.
Can I get compounded personalised HRT from my own GP on the NHS?
Is HRT safe?
All HRT, whether standard or compounded, is prescribed by our menopause experts. The hormone replacement therapy we prescribe is biologically identical and so you are simply replacing the hormones your body no longer produces with identical ones. The old-style synthetic HRT that was not as safe is less frequently prescribed and overall, the benefits of taking HRT in many circumstances far outweigh the risks of not taking HRT and being hormone deficient.
What are the benefits of taking HRT?
Protection against chronic diseases such as osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, dementia and Alzheimer’s. And, of course, the resolution of symptoms from menopause such as hot flushes, brain fog, mood swings, joint pain and so many more.