In her 2006 book titled "Ageless," Suzanne Somers promotes the use of bioidentical drugs. Doctors typically prescribe these natural hormones for patients as part of a replacement therapy. Men, women, and children can safely take these substances, which are similar to the body's own hormones. Yet patients should use them only under the care of a licensed physician as they can cause negative reactions.
Heart Dysfunction
Most patients can effectively use testosterone patches as a bioidentical therapy because the testosterone molecule remains unchanged during manufacturing. While such treatment is usually considered safe, a 2010 paper in the "New England Journal of Medicine" raised some concerns. In this study, older men using transdermal testosterone for six months experienced negative cardiovascular events at a rate four times greater than those receiving a placebo patch. They had more respiratory and dermatological events as well. These patients benefited from the therapy as indicated by increased muscular strength, but the reported side effects may limit the usefulness of this form of bioidentical treatment.
Stroke Risk
Older women often use estrogen to relieve symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes. When taken as 17-beta estradiol, this treatment is considered bioidentical. While effective for menopausal symptoms, a 2001 investigation published in the "New England Journal of Medicine" showed that estrogen intake increased the risk of having a stroke, especially in women who had already experienced one. Women taking bioidentical estrogen who had a stroke also incurred more stroke-induced damage than women not on hormone replacement.
Breast Change
Healthy females may develop breast cancer due to behaviors like tobacco use and poor diet. A few reports indicate that hormone replacement with transdermal estradiol, bioidentical to natural estrogen, can play a role in cancer development as well. A 2009 study offered in the periodical "Menopause" looked at estrogen-induced changes in breast density. This measure can predict breast cancer incidence with greater density associated with greater risk. The data revealed that two years of 17-beta estradiol use increased breast density relative to baseline in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. While the changes were small and not considered carcinogenic, these results suggest that patients should use bioidentical hormones with caution.
Bowel Distress
Postmenopausal women have a higher incidence of gastrointestinal complaints than women of reproductive age. While the cause of this change remains unknown, hormone replacement therapy may contribute. A 2006 experiment described in the medical journal "Neurogastroenterology and Motility" assessed stool consistency in older women taking micronized progesterone, a bioidentical form of progesterone. Results indicated that progesterone intake caused mild diarrhea suggestive of irritable bowel syndrome. Intake of nonbioidentical estrogen caused a similar reaction. Such a side effect may make it difficult for postmenopausal women taking micronized progesterone to remain hydrated.
References
- "Ageless"; Suzanne Somers; 2006
- "New England Journal of Medicine"; Adverse Events Associated With Testosterone Administration; S. Basaria et al.; July 8, 2010
- "New England Journal of Medicine"; A Clinical Trial of Estrogen-Replacement Therapy After Ischemic Stroke; C. M. Viscoli et al.; Oct. 25, 2001
- "Menopause"; Low-Dose Transdermal Estradiol Induces Breast Density and Heterogeneity Changes Comparable to Those of Raloxifene; M. Nielsen et al.; July 2009
- "Neurogastroenterology and Motility"; Effect of Female Sex Hormone Supplementation and Withdrawal on Gastrointestinal and Colonic Transit in Postmenopausal Women; J. Gonenne et al.; October 2006
