The Lowdown on Bioidentical Hormones
Follow these steps before choosing a product for symptom relief:
1. Rely on scientifically proven medications
2. Question deceptive claims of long life and fast relief
3. Talk to your healthcare provider before making any decisions about a nonregulated medication.
To keep up to date on this topic and others related to women’s health around the time of menopause, bookmark The North American Menopause Society
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Wendy couldn't be more correct in her statements. Any MD that claims that BHRT therapy is not evidence based medicine just hasn't done the research. Let me do it for you. Please read Kent Holtorf's recent article on the safety and effectiveness of BHRT therapy. Please read the Fornier study out of France. The warning letters sent to the 7 pharmacies centered on their advertising claims, it had nothing to do with safety or effectiveness. I believe even Dr Utian has written a favorable article on the benefits of estriol. Hummm... Please get the facts, do some scientifically valid research, and write a meaningful article. Your female patients desire nothing less.
In the interest of transparency, readers should be aware of Dr. Utian's (and NAMS) ties to Wyeth , which supports NAMS with grants and manufactures the synthetic hormones that were used in the WHI study. This study was abruptly halted when the research showed the detrimental effect of conjugated hormones on women's health. It was Wyeth's petition to the FDA that led to the action against seven compounding pharmacies. (For more on Wyeth vs. compounding pharmacies, see: http://www.menopausetheblog.com/2008/02/15/the‐fda‐vs‐compounding‐pharmacies‐vs‐wyeth‐act‐ii/) I respect and encourage the debate over the safety and efficacy of all prescription drugs, including hormone therapy, but women should be aware of the agendas of all physicians who dispense advice. To read a pharmacist's explanation about compounding drugs (and a rebuttal), see my blogpost on Menopause The Blog: http://www.menopausetheblog.com/2009/08/18/are‐compounded‐hormone‐products‐safe‐a‐pharmacist‐responds/.
