BodyLogicMD Physicians Weigh in on the Risks and Benefits of Hormone Therapy

BOCA RATON, FL ? October, 2010- In a new analysis of the women involved in the Women's Health Initiative (WHI), researchers discovered that synthetic hormone replacement therapy used after menopause not only increased the risk of breast cancer in women, but also increased their risk of dying from the disease, when compared with women who did not receive treatment. These new findings were recently published in the October 20th issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

The WHI was a federally funded study that analyzed more than16,500 postmenopausal women who were given either hormone replacement therapy or a placebo. The study was discontinued three years early in 2002, after researchers discovered that the hormones being used were actually increasing the risk of breast cancer, stroke, heart disease and pulmonary embolism. In the years following the WHI trials, researchers went on to conduct a series of follow-up studies, many of which attested to the dangers of using synthetic forms of hormone replacement therapy.

After the WHI came to a screeching halt, the number of women using hormone therapy drugs plummeted precipitously. Today, millions of women still opt for treatment; however, many have turned to natural alternatives, such as bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT). Not only are bioidentical hormones more effective at treating symptoms of menopause, but so far there is no evidence that says bioidentical hormones increase the likelihood of breast cancer. In fact, several studies have shown that women who use BHRT can actually reduce the risk of breast cancer and heart disease. French researchers conducted a study involving 54,000 postmenopausal women and found that women who used BHRT reduced their breast cancer risk by 10 percent.

"The [WHI] studies focused on women using synthetic hormones, such as Premarin, Provera and Prempro. Currently there is no evidence to support claims that bioidentical hormones are dangerous," shares BodyLogicMD Chief Medical Officer, Jennifer Landa, M.D. "There is actually a large body of evidence, based on well documented studies, that supports the efficacy and safety of bioidentical hormones."

Bioidentical hormones are derived from naturally occurring sources, such as yams and soy, and are molecularly identical to the hormones that your body produces on its own. Currently, the highly trained physicians at BodyLogicMD, the nation's largest network of BHRT specialists, have helped tens of thousands of patients find relief from symptoms of hormonal imbalance and improve their overall health. How do they do it? BodyLogicMD affiliated physicians offer patients customized wellness programs that combine personalized nutrition and fitness regimens, pharmaceutical-grade supplementation, stress reduction techniques and natural bioidentical hormone therapy.

"As a physician who is Board Certified and Fellowship trained in this field, I have been thoroughly educated in the early detection and the prevention of cancer in all forms. We know that hormones don't cause cancer," shares Stephen Center, M.D., Medical Director at BodyLogicMD of San Diego. "Cancer starts from mutations in an individual cell, which has a host of possible causes. However, synthetic hormones can stimulate existing cancer cells to grow."

BHRT doesn't come with the dangerous stimulatory side effects of synthetic, non-bioidentical hormones; instead bioidenticals actually reduce the likelihood of any abnormal cell stimulation.

"The truth is most doctors know very little, if anything at all about hormones and how they function within the body, so many women wind up misinformed and mislead. It's important that women don't allow fear to rule their decisions - especially when it comes to their health. Women who are considering treatment should discuss it with their doctor - ideally a hormone specialist or a physician who is well-versed on the subject," adds Dr. Center.

For access to Medical Research Studies on the safety and efficacy of bioidentical hormones, click here.

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