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An In Vivo Estrogen Deficiency Mouse Model for Screening Exogenous Estrogen Treatments of Cardiovascular Dysfunction After Menopause
Published on: August 13, 2019
Bioidentical hormones for menopausal hormone therapy: variation on a theme.
Adriane Fugh-Berman1, Jenna Bythrow
1Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Georgetown University School of Medicine, 571460, Washington, DC 20052-1460, USA. ajf29@georgetown.edu
Journal of General Internal Medicine
|June 6, 2007
Summary
Natural hormone therapies, including progesterone creams and compounded estrogens, lack supporting data and carry risks similar to conventional hormone therapy. Salivary tests may encourage unnecessary hormone use, leading to adverse events.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Women's Health
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Progesterone creams and compounded bioidentical estrogen preparations are marketed as safe alternatives to conventional menopausal hormone therapy.
- These products are also promoted as general health tonics.
- Currently, no reliable scientific data support these claims regarding safety or efficacy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the safety and efficacy claims of natural or bioidentical compounded hormone preparations.
- To assess the role of salivary hormone tests in the promotion and use of these therapies.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing scientific literature and data on compounded natural hormone preparations.
- Analysis of the potential adverse event profiles of natural hormones compared to conventional therapies.
- Evaluation of the diagnostic and therapeutic implications of salivary hormone testing in the context of hormone use.
Main Results:
- Natural hormones (estradiol, estriol, estrone, progesterone) are expected to share the same adverse event profile as conventional menopausal hormone regimens.
- Salivary tests may be used to encourage hormone use in asymptomatic individuals or higher doses in symptomatic patients.
- This practice can lead to preventable adverse events associated with hormone therapy.
Conclusions:
- The purported benefits and safety of compounded natural hormone preparations are not supported by reliable data.
- The use of natural hormones carries risks comparable to conventional hormone therapy.
- Salivary hormone testing practices may contribute to the overuse of hormones and subsequent adverse events.
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