When I began perimenopausal symptoms, I couldn't sleep due to hot flashes. Bioidentical hormones saved my ability to sleep as well as enhanced my health in other ways. Most people say I look 10 to 15 years younger, which I believe is mostly due to the hormone therapy. I have used the hormones for nine years, and feel extremely happy with them. I do not believe the artificial hormones that the pharmaceuticals offer would be benificial, and most likely would be harmful. They would definitely be more expensive.