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Overview
The National Institutes of Health conducted a multiyear study using synthetic forms of estrogen and progesterone in conventional hormone therapy, or HRT, to see if they would relieve menopausal symptoms. Instead, the NIH stopped the study in 2002 when it found that women on HRT had an increased risk of heart disease and breast cancer. This has prompted many women to seek natural paths to hormone replacement.
Significance
In another study published in 2002, 134 British women were given transdermal patches for HRT and were found to have a slightly greater incidence of heart disease. Along with the NIH study, this suggests that using bioidentical hormones, eating estrogenic foods, getting acupuncture or using Chinese herbs may be a better strategy for reducing unpleasant menopausal symptoms.
Bioidentical Hormones
Bioidentical hormones are available by prescription only. Doctors test hormone levels by using saliva, blood, urine or hair analysis. Progesterone and estrogen levels are often lower in menopausal women. To date, no studies have shown that bioidentical hormones increase the risk of heart disease.
Phytoestrogens
Phytoestrogens mimic the hormone that is produced by the body. Consuming foods that contain phytoestrogens may increase estrogen levels in menopausal women. These foods include tofu, beets, carrots, alfalfa, eggs, dairy foods, flax seeds and flax seed oil.
Other Benefits
Using bioidentical hormones may also reduce depression, mood swings, night sweats, sleep disturbances and weight gain. They may improve the elasticity of the skin. These benefits are all related to keeping estrogen levels higher.
More Options
Some women use wild yam creams for progesterone. Others get acupuncture treatments as an adjunct therapy or use Chinese herbs such as black cohosh and buplerum to help alleviate symptoms.
Misconceptions
It is a common misconception that all menopausal women will require estrogen supplementation. Testing may instead reveal a progesterone deficiency or an overabundance of testosterone.
