RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Counseling Postmenopausal Women about Bioidentical Hormones: Ten Discussion Points for Practicing Physicians
JF The Journal of the American Board of Family
                Medicine
JO J Am Board Fam Med
FD American Board of Family Medicine
SP 202
OP 210
DO 10.3122/jabfm.2011.02.100194
VO 24
IS 2
A1 Sood, Richa
A1 Shuster, Lynne
A1 Smith, Robin
A1 Vincent, Ann
A1 Jatoi, Aminah
YR 2011
UL http://www.jabfm.org/content/24/2/202.abstract
AB Bioidentical hormones are compounds that have exactly the same chemical and molecular structure as endogenous human hormones. In contrast, nonbioidentical, or synthetic, hormones are structurally dissimilar from endogenous hormones. Although available for years, bioidentical compounded hormone therapy (BCHT) has gained popularity in the United States only recently. This popularity has paralleled women's rising fears of conventional hormone therapy, especially since the publication of the Women's Health Initiative clinical trials. Although BCHT offers advantages, it is not the panacea of hormone therapy. The claims that BCHT lowers the risk of breast cancer, coronary artery disease, stroke, or thromboembolism are not supported by scientific research. The goal of this review is to present an overview of the available research evidence on BCHT, dispel myths about the use of compounded hormones, and provide helpful tips to answer commonly asked questions about BCHT.