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BioIdentical Hormones in the News

CHOIICE Study Demonstrates Safety of Bioidentical Hormones

Seventy-five women ages 30-70 used individually compounded natural hormone therapy for a year. They experienced significant improvements in menopausal symptoms, including depression, anxiety, hot flashes, night sweats, and pain. In addition, cardiac benefits included lowered blood pressure and triglycerides. C-reactive protein, a marker for inflammation in the arteries, also dropped in women receiving the therapy.

Dr. Kenna Stephenson presented the first-year results of her CHOIICE (Compounded Bioidentical Hormones: Immune, Inflammatory, and Cardiovascular Biomarker Effects) study to the American Heart Association 2008 Scientific Sessions. The three-year study will examine stroke risk factors in women using a hormone replacement skin cream consisting of individualized doses of natural, bioidentical estrogen, progesterone, and androgens.

Conventional hormone replacement with standardized doses of synthetic hormones has been shown to increase the risk of stroke and heart disease. The CHOIICE study will determine whether bioidentical hormones are safer.

Early results look very positive. All indicators measured either improved or stayed the same. None got worse, as they do in women taking conventional hormone therapy. And the women in the study experienced a better quality of life due to the reduction in menopausal symptoms.

Link to video interview with Dr. Stephenson: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWwV2UhCvpk