The Safety of Bioidentical Hormones — the Data vs. the Hype
Jacob Teitelbaum, MD
From the Townsend Letter June 2007
As a friend of mine used to say, “If things don’t make sense, follow the money trail.” Because the sale of non-bioidentical estrogen and progesterone makes so much money for drug companies, I suspect that those companies find their profits very threatened by the use of safer or bioidentical hormones. As has frequently been the case when natural products threaten pharmaceutical sales, there appears to be a major public relations misinformation campaign. Although I am not privy to what goes on in the pharmaceutical “back rooms,” my impression is that they feel that if consumers can be confused and frightened enough by misinformation, profits can be protected. My impression (as a physician without a financial stake in either side) is that bioidentical hormones are far safer and effective than synthetic progesterone and pregnant horse urine (Premarin). Historically, unfortunately, when there is big money to be made, there has been no problem getting big-name doctors to tout the health benefits of infant formula over breast milk and even of smoking! It’s sad when information put out by actresses, like Suzanne Somers in her recent book Ageless (on bioidentical hormones), is more accurate than information put out by prominent physicians! But this is what happens when money talks.
To help supply more accurate information on the subject, I’d like to offer readers an excellent review article by Dr. Kent Holtorf. Kent is a superb physician and a friend of mine whom I greatly respect. I think that after reading this article, it will be clear to you that bioidentical hormones are the way to go.
Natural (Bioidentical) vs. Synthetic Hormone Replacement Therapy
by Kent Holtorf, MD
Below is a review of the medical literature demonstrating how natural hormones are superior to their synthetic counterparts. [Evidence? HCS]The conclusion is clear that bioidentical hormones are a safe alternative to Premarin and medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), marketed as Provera. The natural bioidentical hormones are very different from their synthetic versions, often having completely opposite physical and cellular effects. Thus, it is critical that women be given the information that these natural hormones do not have the negative side effects of the synthetic hormones and in no way pertain to the conclusions reached by the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) study. Natural hormones are a safe and more conservative approach to hormone replacement therapy that does not carry the risks associated with Premarin and Provera.
Read in full at: http://www.townsendletter.com/June2007/painfree0607.htm
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