Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a natural alternative treatment for women and men who are suffering with hormonal imbalance. I often get requests from patients and other healthcare professionals for recent studies and articles about this subject. If you are considering bioidentical HRT, there are many great recent articles.
A great article on bioidentical hormones was published in the Postgraduate Medicine, Volume 121 in January 2009. The study evaluated the evidence comparing bioidentical hormones with the commonly used nonbioidentical versions of HRT. The patients on bioidentical HRT reported greater satisfaction; furthermore, bioidentical hormones are associated with lower risks, including the risk of breast cancer and cardiovascular disease, and are more efficacious than their synthetic counterparts.
Another recent article in the latest issue of the International Journal of Pharmaceutical Compounding is a nice summary on bioidentical HRT. The study compares randomized, controlled trials in human females (published between 1995 and 2010) looking at bioidentical and traditional hormone replacement therapy and their impact on cardiovascular and breast cancer risks. The study concluded that conventional hormone replacement therapy (the use of conjugated estrogens and conjugated progesterone) is detrimental to cardiovascular and breast health, while the use of bioidentical estrogen improves some markers of cardiovascular health.
When evaluating an article, keep the following things in mind as you read through it: Is it published from a credible/legitimate source? Credentials of the authors? Are the methods used in the study fair and unbiased? Are the conclusions accurate and objective?
So, what should we do with all this information? Well, for people who are entering or experiencing menopause or andropause (male version of menopause), I would definitely recommend considering bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. Bioidentical Estrogen is extracted from plant sources such as soy and yam; and closely imitates the effect of natural estrogen on a woman's body. For women, Bioidentical Estrogen are often combined with natural progesterone, and can be easily delivered via transdermal route, such as a patch, gel, or cream. It's important to keep regular appointments with your physician for follow ups, repeat labs, and to make the necessary adjustment to the medication.
For more information on bioidentical HRT for women and men, talk to your healthcare provider to get an overview of this topic or for any questions. Also remember that when making decisions about your own health, it is always important to talk with a knowledgeable practitioner about the implications and pros/cons for your treatment approach.
To your health and wellness,
Dr. Lucase Wang
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