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November 06, 2006
Hark! The Hormone Debate Continues.
by Stephanie Koze
Remember the major pandemonium that ensued when the results of Estrogen Plus Progestin Trial of the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) were announced in July 1992?
Instead of protecting postmenopausal women from breast cancer and heart attack -- among other potentially deadly conditions -- combined estrogen and progestin was shown to actually increase their incidence. As a result, many physicians stopped prescribing hormone therapy, and women dumped their hormone therapy by the truckload.
Now, celebrity Suzanne Somers’ newest book, Ageless, raises more questions about hormone treatments. In her book, she claims compounded or bio-identical hormones (hormones produced from natural products, such as soy and wild yams, mixed in pharmacies and sold without a prescription) are far safer than synthetic hormones studied in the WHI.
Ms. Somers may have a point. It makes sense that naturally occurring products might be safer than man-made products. But, just because a hormone therapy is produced from a natural product does not make it safer than a synthetic product.
When it comes to hormones, women need to do their homework, speak with their physicians and evaluate carefully whether any type of hormone, bio-identical or synthetic, is right for them.
Posted by stephanie_koze at November 6, 2006 08:44 AM
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