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Our goal is to provide education regarding the research available and to help address the confusion health care providers have expressed regarding hormone therapies, especially since the National Institutes of Health halted the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) study of synthetic hormone replacement therapy in postmenopausal women in July 2002.
As we now know, the WHI study raised concerns that the risks of the hormone replacement therapy (specifically Premarin® and PremproTM) may outweigh the long-term benefits. Unfortunately, the subsequent media reports about the WHI study did not distinguish between the actual synthetic hormones used in the WHI and any other hormones such as bioidentical hormones that were NOT used in the WHI study and are completely different. It is critically important that women and physicians understand that there are significant differences between the various hormone preparations currently being used. Please see the section on bioidentical (natural) progesterone vs synthetic progestins for information on these differences.
We have compiled the following to represent the currently available science behind the use of bioidentical hormones as a treatment and health option for women. References are presented in reverse chronological order.
Androgen Research Studies
Testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) are androgenic hormones produced by the ovaries and adrenal glands in women. Androgen levels fall with age and significantly decline in the 5 years following natural menopause due to the drop in ovarian production.
Androgens are being more commonly supplemented, primarily to support bone health, energy, muscle tone, and sexual functioning following menopause. Given the recent history of supplemented androgens in women (they have long been utilized for men), they are less understood in terms of long-term effects than either progesterone or the estrogens. Follow this link to find research evaluating the safety and efficacy of these androgens.
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Bioidentical Estrogens (Estradiol, Estriol)
Conjugated equine estrogens (CEE) have long been the most commonly prescribed estrogens in the United States. Following the 2002 results of the Women’s Health Initiative Study, which elucidated some of the hazards of these non-human-identical hormones, physicians and researchers have been focusing more resources on the evaluation of estrogens natural to women (estradiol, estrone, and estriol). These human-identical estrogens have historically been the estrogens of choice for hormone therapy in France and other European countries, and are becoming more widely used and studied in the United States.
These estrogens are available in oral, transdermal, percutaneous, and vaginal preparations. Follow this link for research on the safety and efficacy of human-identical estrogens.
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Progesterone Research
Clinical studies have demonstrated an effectiveness of bioidentical progesterone for menopausal symptoms, including hot flashes, anxiety, sleep disturbances, and mood swings. Adequate progesterone is essential for fertility, cardiovascular health, nervous system function, and bone health, and protects against the development of cancer of the uterus in women using estrogen therapy. Historically, progesterone has long been used to support regular menstruation and treat infertility. Follow this link for research on the safety and efficacy of bioidentical (natural) progesterone.
See Research >>
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