Drinking Urine Is Not Hormone Replacement Therapy: The Science Behind a Dangerous Social Media Trend
Written by: Tayren N. Ben-Abraham, MPH, MSc., M.A., M.A.
A recent article published by Them discussed a growing social media trend on TikTok in which some individuals claim that drinking their own urine can "naturally" replace hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for menopause. The original article can be found here:
Although
these videos have attracted widespread attention, the underlying claims are not
supported by biology, endocrinology, or clinical medicine. Understanding why
requires examining what urine is, how hormone replacement therapy works, and
why consuming urine cannot meet the body's hormonal needs. Current scientific
evidence does not support drinking urine as a substitute for evidence-based
hormone therapy for menopause, testosterone deficiency, or any other medically
diagnosed endocrine disorder.
What
Is Urine?
Urine is a
waste product produced by the kidneys as they filter the blood to remove excess
water, salts, metabolic byproducts, and other substances the body no longer
needs (Gumasta et al., 2025). Approximately 95% of urine consists of water,
with the remaining portion containing dissolved waste products and electrolytes
(Channe et al., 2024). Yet, urine has other components. One of its primary
components is urea, a nitrogen-containing waste product formed during protein
metabolism in the liver and excreted by the kidneys to prevent toxic accumulation
(Adeyemoye et al., 2022). Urine also contains creatinine, a byproduct of normal
muscle metabolism commonly used as a clinical marker of kidney function
(Gounden et al., 2024), along with electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, and
chloride that help regulate fluid balance, nerve signaling, and muscle function
(Singh et al., 2025). Uric acid, another waste product generated during purine
metabolism, is eliminated through urine, and excessive accumulation in the body
can contribute to gout (Anaizi, 2023). So, what about hormones? Urine may also
contain small amounts of hormones and hormone metabolites (Bukato, 2024). These
hormones and hormone metabolites are not biologically active and therefore will
have no effect on the human body. However, these compounds are substances the
body has already processed and is eliminating, not therapeutic reserves of
biologically active hormones (Bukato et al., 2024). Their concentrations are
extremely low and far below the doses used in medical treatment (Phelps &
Moro, 2022).
Urine also
contains numerous other metabolic waste products that the kidneys remove to
maintain the body's internal chemical balance (Gumasta et al., 2025).
Reintroducing these substances by drinking urine does not restore hormone
levels or reproduce the effects of medically prescribed hormone therapy (Phelps
& Moro, 2022). This applies equally to estrogen deficiency during menopause
and testosterone deficiency in conditions such as hypogonadism. Effective
hormone therapy requires carefully measured doses of biologically active
hormones that interact with specific receptors in target tissues, not the
ingestion of metabolic waste products (Woods et al., 1998).
Figure 1. Contents of Urine. Source: Helamedical.com
Can
Drinking Urine Increase Estrogen or Testosterone?
No. Although
urine contains trace amounts of estrogen and testosterone metabolites, these
are metabolic breakdown products rather than therapeutically active hormones
(Bukato et al., 2024; Bowen et al., 2023). Their concentrations are extremely
low, highly variable, and biologically unsuitable for treating hormone
deficiencies (Phelps & Moro, 2022). There is no credible evidence from
randomized clinical trials, systematic reviews, or established endocrine
research demonstrating that drinking urine can treat menopause, testosterone
deficiency, hormone imbalance, or any other endocrine disorder. Likewise, no
reputable medical organization recommends urine consumption as a treatment for
hormone deficiency or endocrine disease (Hubilla, 2024). By contrast, hormone
replacement therapy provides standardized, pharmaceutical-grade doses of
hormones that have been extensively studied for safety, quality, and
effectiveness. Depending on the individual's condition, treatment may include
estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, or other hormones, with dosing tailored
according to hormone levels, symptoms, medical history, age, and potential
risks (Yanachkova et al., 2025; Cappola et al., 2023).
How
Hormone Replacement Therapy Works
Hormone
replacement therapy works by supplying biologically active hormones that the
body no longer produces in sufficient amounts because of aging, disease, or
endocrine dysfunction (Giampapa, 2022). These hormones may be administered as
tablets, patches, injections, gels, creams, or implants, allowing them to enter
the bloodstream and circulate throughout the body (Le, 2024). Once they reach
their target tissues, the hormones bind to specific receptors located on or
within cells. This interaction activates biological signaling pathways that
regulate gene expression, protein synthesis, cellular metabolism, and tissue
function (Alemany, 2022). Through these mechanisms, HRT restores physiological
processes that depend on adequate hormone levels. For example, estrogen therapy
can reduce hot flashes, improve vaginal and urinary tissue health, and slow
bone loss in appropriately selected menopausal patients (Crandall et al.,
2023). Testosterone therapy may be prescribed for men with clinically confirmed
testosterone deficiency to help maintain muscle mass, bone density, libido,
energy levels, and red blood cell production under appropriate medical
supervision (Yasin et al., 2025). Regardless of the hormone prescribed, HRT
delivers precisely measured, biologically active doses while allowing
healthcare professionals to monitor treatment effectiveness and safety
(Marchetti, 2025).
Is
Drinking Urine Harmful?
There is no
scientifically established health benefit to drinking urine (Hubilla, 2024). Repeated
consumption may reintroduce concentrated waste products that the kidneys have
already removed from circulation (Phelps & Moro, 2022). Although ingesting
small amounts is unlikely to cause immediate toxicity in otherwise healthy
individuals, urine should not be considered a medical treatment. Drinking urine
may also increase sodium intake, potentially contributing to dehydration if
used instead of adequate fluid intake (Hubilla, 2024). If a person has a
urinary tract infection or other contamination, consuming urine could also
introduce microorganisms into the digestive tract (Hubilla, 2024). More
importantly, relying on urine instead of evidence-based medical care may delay
the diagnosis and treatment of legitimate health conditions.
Why
Do These Claims Spread?
Research suggests that social media platforms often amplify novel or controversial health claims because they generate attention and engagement rather than scientific credibility ("Nutritional Advice on Social Media: Clicks over Credibility," 2025). These viral posts have information that a person can relate to while reading meaning that people either feel an emotionally or intellectually reward in relation to the presented information (White, 2023). Popularity, however, is not evidence. Evidence-based medicine relies on carefully designed laboratory research, clinical trials, independent replication, and continuous safety monitoring rather than anecdotal reports or viral videos (Triposkiadis & Brutsaert, 2025). Extraordinary health claims require extraordinary evidence, and such evidence does not exist for drinking urine as hormone therapy.
The
Bottom Line
Current
scientific evidence does not support drinking urine as a treatment for
menopause, estrogen deficiency, testosterone deficiency, hormone imbalance, or
any other endocrine disorder. Urine does not contain biologically active
hormones in concentrations sufficient to function as hormone replacement
therapy. Individuals experiencing hormone-related symptoms should seek
evaluation from qualified healthcare professionals, who can recommend
evidence-based treatments, including hormone therapy for appropriate candidates
and nonhormonal alternatives when indicated. When evaluating health information
online, ask a simple question: Has this treatment been tested in well-designed clinical studies,
or is it simply going viral? Health decisions should be guided
by rigorous scientific evidence, not internet trends.
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