Concerns are often expressed by individuals and health care providers who aren’t up to date with current health practices and literature regarding BHRT. One of the biggest concerns with most people and health care providers is that it may cause or increase the potential for cancer, particularly breast, uterine or prostate. It is important to distinguish Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy with your body’s natural hormones of estradiol and progesterone from hormone therapy using conjugated equine estrogen (CEE), often just called estrogen, and progestins.

Studies have shown that females on BHRT with estradiol balanced with progesterone have a reduced incidence of breast cancer compared to the general public. In addition, the current literature shows that BHRT is safe and is NOT associated with an increased risk of blood clots, cancer or mortality. Many health care providers have not spent the time to become educated on the up-to-date practices and literature regarding BHRT and often refer to older studies referencing forms of CEE (Premarin, Prempro or Premphase) that are not the natural hormone estradiol that your body makes and used in our replacement therapy. This same principal also applies to cited studies frequently referencing medroxyprogesterone acetate, a synthetic progestin, instead of using naturally occurring progesterone identical to what your body uses.

There is a proverbial fear and misunderstanding regarding hormone replacement and many still rely on the World Health Initiative (WHI) study from more that 20 years ago that has shown to be flawed and outdated. Out of fear of “risks” and not being well informed of the current, up to date literature and practices, many providers would just rather advise their patient not to do hormone replacement therapy.

This is a grave disservice to the patient as proper bioidentical hormone replacement extends health span and life expectancy for both men and women. It is imperative that all health care providers be up to date on clinical therapies if they are going to advise a client on that therapy. We at Executive Medicine have advanced training in bioidentical hormone replacement therapy and invite you to a consultation to see if it is suitable for you.