European Research on Bioidentical Hormones
Study in France on Bioidentical Hormones
For those naysayers who say that no research has been done on bioidentical hormones, one would have to say that they are incorrect. A French study has been done whereby researchers looked at combined hormone replacement therapy and the risk of breast cancer in 3,175 women. Other European medical studies also support the idea that bioidentical hormones are safer for long term use than synthetic hormones. A problem that still remains is that natural bioidentical hormone replacement therapy has not been studied for long term use.
The French study is entitled: “Could transdermal estradiol plus progesterone be a safer postmenopausal HRT?” This review is written by Marc L’Hermitea, Tommaso Simoncinib, Sarah Fullera, Andrea Riccardo Genazzanib and published online August 22, 2008. Visit this European website on Midlife Health and Beyond at www.maturitas.org.
The review states:
“Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in young postmenopausal women is a safe and effective tool to counteract climacteric symptoms and to prevent long-term degenerative diseases, such as osteoporotic fractures, cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus and possibly cognitive impairment. The different types of HRT offer to many extent comparable efficacies on symptoms control; however, the expert selection of specific compounds, doses or routes of administration can provide significant clinical advantages.”
In another article collectively written by de Lignières B, de Vathaire F, Fournier S, Urbinelli R, Allaert F, Le MG, and Kuttenn F., from the Service d’Endocrinologie et Médecine de la Reproduction, Hôpital Necker, Paris, France reports:
“The largest-to-date randomized trial (Women’s Health Initiative) comparing the effects of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and a placebo concluded that the continuous use of an oral combination of conjugated equine estrogens (CEE) and medroxy-progesterone acetate (MPA) increases the risk of breast cancer. This conclusion may not apply to women taking other estrogen and progestin formulations, as suggested by discrepancies in the findings of in vitro studies, epidemiological surveys and, mostly, in vivo studies of human breast epithelial cell proliferation showing opposite effects of HRT combining CEE plus MPA or estradiol plus progesterone. To evaluate the risk of breast cancer associated with the use of the latter combination, commonly prescribed in France, a cohort including 3175 postmenopausal women was followed for a mean of 8.9 years (28 367 woman-years). In total, 1739 (55%) of these women were users of one type of estrogen replacement with systemic effect during at least 12 months, any time after the menopause, and were classified as HRT users. Among them, 83% were receiving exclusively or mostly a combination of a transdermal estradiol gel and a progestin other than MPA. Some 105 cases of breast cancer occurred during the follow-up period, corresponding to a mean of 37 new cases per 10 000 women/year. Using multivariate analysis adjusted for the calendar period of treatment, date of birth and age at menopause, we were unable to detect an increase in the relative risk (RR) of breast cancer (RR 0.98, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.65-1.5) in the HRT users. The RR of breast cancer per year of use of HRT was 1.005 (95% CI 0.97-1.05). These results do not justify early interruption of such a type of HRT, which is beneficial for quality of life, prevention of bone loss and cardiovascular risk profile, without the activation of coagulation and inflammatory protein synthesis measured in users of oral estrogens.”
Source: PMID: 12626212 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Millions of women have turned against synthetic hormone replacement therapy since the Womens Health Initiative Study in 2002. Women are seeking natural ways to resolve the symptoms experienced with menopause, such as hot flashes, sleepless nights, depression, weight gain, etc., and have turned to bioidentical hormone replacement therapy and are experience a relief of symptoms and a better quality of life. It would be good to hear of a new study done in North America on bioidentical hormones. Many bioidentical hormone doctors and professionals are demanding that such a study be done.
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