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w o m e n ’ s
• Hormone Therapy Facts
• Defining Bioidentical
HEALTH •Your Hormone Options
• Start with Your Symptoms
UPDATES •Questions to Ask
• Resources
National Women’s Health Resource Center, Inc.
form of estrogen, primarily avail-able during pregnancy when it is Hormone Therapy Options: produced by the placenta. Each form works differently in differentparts of your body.
Fact 2.“Natural” is a mar-
ustom-made “bioidentical” hor-
keting term, not a
mone therapy is being promoted
medical term. Just because a medica-
Cfar and wide as the natural turkey—no matter what form they tion or supplement is labeled “natu-
anti-aging antidote and the
ral” doesn’t mean it’s any safer than menopausal woman’s best friend.
symptoms they’d thought long gone.
the first results of the Women’s Health type of therapy best meets her individual to follow any of these requirements.
increased risk of breast cancer, heartdisease, stroke and blood clots. The Fact 1.Your body produces Fact 3.Women today can
choose from many
three different kinds of
options to treat their menopausal
estrogen. These are: estradiol, or E2,
symptoms. It is important to under-
Women’s HEALTH UPDATES
Bioidentical Hormones
is not reliable; nor is it used to deter-mine dosage or to monitor therapy.
Fact 5.If hormone therapy is
indicated, the FDA
Safety and Regulation of
recommends that it should be pre-
Bioidentical Hormones
scribed at the lowest effective dose
for the shortest time needed. Using
If you choose to have your bioiden-
Fact 4. As with any med- varying doses and hormone therapy ducted or published. While these
ication, all forms of
hormone therapy have the potential
for side effects. Whether it was made
Defining Bioidentical
When something is “bioidenti-
estradiol and estrone—have a high-er risk of breast cancer than women Your Hormone Options
bioidentical hormones: those thatare FDA-approved and commercially Women have numerous FDA-
National Women’s Health Resource Center
www.healthywomen.org
Bioidentical Hormones
Vaginal tablet. Less messy than a
Oral. Most hormone therapy formu-
Vaginal ring. There are two rings cur-
Injection. Before there were creams
Transdermal gels and spray.
months, at which point it is replaced.
Progesterone. There are two forms of
Transdermal patches. Ranging from
drug, but in different doses. Prochieve is typically prescribed for infertility.
the forearm starting near the elbow.
Lotion. Estrasorb (estradiol topical
emulsion) is a bioidentical estrogen.
Vaginal cream. Estrogen creams
www.healthywomen.org
National Women’s Health Resource Center
Women’s HEALTH UPDATES
Bioidentical Hormones
Start with Your Symptoms
Resources
Questions to Ask
Your Health Care
The new approach to hormone ther- American Menopause Foundation
Professional
Association of Reproductive Health
If you are considering using
Professionals
hormone therapy to treat
menopausal symptoms, ask
your health care professional
National Institutes of Health
these questions:
Menopausal Hormone Therapy
1. Why should I take hormone
Information
therapy?
2. Which hormone therapy delivery
method is right for me?
3. Could you please review the
term “bioidentical” with me?
National Women’s Health
Resource Center, Inc.
4. What is the lowest dose of
hormone therapy that I can
take to relieve my symptoms?
The North American Menopause
5. How long should I take hormone
therapy?
6. What side effects are possible
increasing it until you’re comfortable, with this medication?
The Hormone Foundation
7. What are the risks associated
with this medication?
Bioidentical Hormones
References
Women’s Health UpdatesPublished by the 5 North American Menopause Society Position National Women’s Health Resource Center associated vasomotor symptoms.” Menopause: Menopause Society. 2004; 11(1):11–33. 2 Subcommittee on Human Rights and Wellness.
6 Femring [package insert]. Rockaway, NJ: House Committee on Government Reform.
Women’s Health Updates provide health information to 7 Estring [package insert]. Kalamazoo, MI: women interested in making informed decisions about 8 Vagifem [package insert]. Princeton, NJ: their health. This information does not suggest individual diagnosis or treatment. This publication is not 3 EstroGel [package insert]. Marietta, GA.
9 Delestrogen [package insert]. Bristol, TN: a substitute for medical attention. The publisher cannot accept responsibility for application of the information 4 “Hormone Therapy: Fact or Fiction.
herein to individual medical conditions. The National Menopause Flashes.” North AmericanMenopause Society; January 2005.
Women’s Health Resource Center does not endorse or promote any medical therapy or device.
2009 NWHRC. All rights reserved. Reproduction of material published in the Women’s Health Update is encouraged with written permission from NWHRC. Write to address above or call toll-free number.
This publication was produced with the support of

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