Compounded Hormone Therapy
Custom-strength hormone preparations made against your physician's prescription — so the dose, combination, and delivery method match your lab work and your life, not a fixed commercial product.
What Is Compounded Hormone Therapy?
Compounded hormone therapy uses hormones — most often described as "bio-identical" — that are chemically identical to those your body produces naturally. Common examples include estradiol, estriol, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA, and pregnenolone.
Because these hormones share the same molecular structure as the ones your body makes, they bind to your body's hormone receptors in the same way. Whether that translates to a different clinical experience compared with commercial hormone products is something to discuss with your physician based on your specific situation and lab work.
Where compounding adds value is precision: instead of selecting from a small set of fixed commercial doses, your physician can prescribe the exact strength and combination your lab work supports, in the delivery method that fits your life. That dose-by-dose tailoring is the practical reason physicians work with us on compounded hormone therapy.
Hormones We Compound
We prepare bio-identical hormone formulations against your physician's prescription. Each preparation is made specifically for you, using pharmaceutical-grade ingredients.
Estrogen (Bi-Est)
Bi-est combines estriol and estradiol in custom ratios (commonly 80:20). Estriol is a weaker estrogen that provides symptom relief, while estradiol is the more potent form. Your physician determines the ideal ratio.
Progesterone
Bio-identical progesterone is prescribed to balance estrogen and support uterine health. Some patients also take it as part of broader hormone therapy. Available in capsules, creams, troches, and suppositories.
Testosterone
Low-dose testosterone is a recognised therapy that some patients discuss with their physician for symptoms related to hormonal change — fatigue, mood, libido, muscle strength. Whether it is right for you depends on lab work and your prescriber's assessment.
DHEA
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a precursor hormone that the body converts to estrogen and testosterone. Supplementation may support energy, immune function, and overall well-being.
Pregnenolone
Often called the "mother hormone," pregnenolone is a precursor to many other hormones. It may support memory, mood, and cognitive function when levels are low.
Thyroid Hormones
Compounded thyroid preparations including T3, T4, and combination formulations. Custom dosing allows physicians to fine-tune thyroid replacement for optimal patient outcomes.
Available Forms and Delivery Methods
Different hormones work best in different delivery forms. Your physician will prescribe the method that provides the most effective absorption and convenience for your specific therapy.
Topical Creams
Applied to the skin for transdermal absorption. Common for estrogen and testosterone. Allows precise dosing with measured applicators.
Oral Capsules
Convenient daily capsules for progesterone, DHEA, pregnenolone, and thyroid hormones. Custom doses not available commercially.
Troches / Lozenges
Dissolve slowly in the mouth for sublingual or buccal absorption. Bypasses first-pass liver metabolism for improved bioavailability.
Suppositories
Vaginal or rectal suppositories for targeted local delivery. Often used for progesterone and estrogen in specific clinical situations.
Sublingual Drops
Liquid preparations placed under the tongue for rapid absorption directly into the bloodstream.
Combination Formulations
Multiple hormones combined into a single preparation for convenience. For example, bi-est cream with progesterone in one application.
Why Compounded Hormone Therapy?
Compounding gives your physician and you options that are not available with mass-produced commercial products.
Custom Doses
Your physician prescribes the strength your lab work supports — not the nearest commercially available dose.
Combination Formulations
Multiple hormones in a single cream, capsule, or troche — fewer products to manage day to day.
Alternative Delivery Methods
If capsules cause GI issues, we can prepare a cream. If creams are inconvenient, we can make troches. Options not available off the shelf.
Allergen-Free Bases
Sensitivities to dyes, gluten, lactose, or preservatives? We compound with bases free of common allergens and irritants.
Pharmaceutical-Grade Ingredients
Sourced from Medisca and other established Canadian compounding-ingredient suppliers, with the formulation references and quality protocols that come with that.
How Compounded Hormone Therapy Works at Taché Pharmacy
Getting started with compounded hormone therapy is a collaborative process between you, your physician, and our pharmacy:
- Hormone testing — Your physician orders blood, saliva, or urine testing to measure your current hormone levels and identify deficiencies or imbalances.
- Prescription — Based on your test results, symptoms, and health history, your physician writes a prescription specifying the hormones, doses, and delivery method.
- Compounding — Our pharmacists prepare your prescription to exact specifications using pharmaceutical-grade ingredients sourced from Medisca, the established Canadian compounding-ingredient supplier we work with.
- Monitoring — Your physician follows up with repeat testing and adjusts your prescription as needed. We turn around updated formulations promptly when dosing changes are required.
Who Hormone Therapy Is For
Menopausal Women
Relief from hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, mood changes, sleep disruption, and other menopausal symptoms through personalized hormone replacement.
Perimenopausal Women
Addressing early hormonal shifts that cause irregular periods, mood swings, fatigue, and sleep changes — often years before full menopause.
Hormonal Imbalances
Women of any age experiencing hormonal imbalances affecting mood, energy, weight, fertility, or overall well-being.
Men (Andropause)
Men experiencing age-related testosterone decline with symptoms including fatigue, reduced libido, mood changes, decreased muscle mass, and cognitive difficulties.
Related Compounding Products
Keep compound refills easier to follow
- Request refills for ongoing prescriptions
- Follow pickup or delivery updates
- Keep pharmacy messages in one place
- Set reminders before refills run low
Ready to explore hormone therapy?
Talk to your physician about hormone testing, or call us to learn more about the compounded hormone preparations we make. Our pharmacists are happy to answer questions and coordinate with your healthcare provider.