Phytohormones (phytoestrogens like isoflavones from soy or red clover) are plant-derived compounds with weak estrogen-like structures. How They Compare - True HRT (like bioidentical estradiol and progesterone) directly replaces declining natural hormones. Phytoestrogens bind weakly to estrogen receptors or modulate them differently, and most dietary forms require specific gut bacteria (which only 20% of people have) to convert them into active forms like S-equol. - Standard H