Hormone Therapy
You’ll hear lots more controversy about bioidentical hormones. It’s being fueled by MANY voices.
Suzanne Somers’ books and promoters of the “Wiley Protocol” are being cheered on by millions of menopausal baby boomers who want a safe and effective alternative to Premarin and Prempro.
The new study showing a 7% drop in breast cancer in 2003…the year after hormone therapy went out of favor…adds fuel to the debate. Proponents claim compounded bioidentical hormones are better tolerated and possibly safer. On the other side of the debate, the American Medical Association and pharmaceutical companies are calling for FDA oversight of hormone compounding and labeling.
Some of the debate is due to confusion over the terms.
Bioidentical means that the hormones are the same as human. These include estradiol, estrone, progesterone, testosterone, etc. These don’t HAVE to be compounded. They’re available as Estrace, Estraderm, Prometrium, and others. But manufacturers don’t collect these from humans; so ALL bioidentical hormones are made synthetically.
Natural is a term that is often misused. Some people use it to refer to bioidentical hormones that are natural to the body. Others use it to refer to hormones that come from plants and animals aren’t the same as human hormones. And natural doesn’t mean that they’re safe.
Phytoestrogens is a more correct way to refer to estrogenic compounds in plants. Some are taken “as-is”…soy, red clover, etc. But these are not very effective for menopausal symptoms.
The move towards using bioidentical hormones makes sense. We’ve already seen that trend with human insulin and thyroid. For now, help women get past the confusion by understanding the terms. Tell them that some experts favor bioidenticals even though they’re not PROVEN safer.
Use the term “hormone therapy” instead of “hormone replacement therapy.” These products provide only a fraction of what younger ovaries produce. The FDA won’t allow the word “replacement” in marketing products either.
Taken from The Prescriber’s Letter – February 2007
