The North American Menopause Society released a new position statement.

We have been advocating individualized dosing and the importance of using the smallest dose possible. Here is an excerpt:

"The lowest effective dose of estrogen consistent with
treatment goals, benefits, and risks for the individual woman
should be the therapeutic goal, with a corresponding low
dose of progestogen added to counter the adverse effects of
systemic ET on the uterus. Lower ET and EPT doses are
better tolerated and may have a more favorable benefit-risk
ratio than standard doses."

Youtube Channel

We have added some videos about bioidentical hormones, risks, options and other health related issues on a new youtube channel. You can view videos at

http://www.youtube.com/user/bittere96

There is an option to subscribe and that will notify subscribers about new videos.

Deb Matthew MD
Signature Wellness
http://www.signaturewellness.org
Charlotte, NC
704-752-9346

Bio-identical hormones improve bone density

A 2003 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA 290:1042-1048) studied whether hormone replacement at low doses would be effective at maintaining bone mineral density. Lower doses are desirable as higher doses are associated with more adverse events. Bio-identical hormones were used in this study (hormones that are an exact chemical match to human hormones).

This was a “gold standard” double-blind, placebo controlled trial done at an American university research center from 1998-2002, following 167 healthy women 65 years and older.

The bone mineral density of the hip, spine, wrist, and total body was measured annually for 3 years. Mean bone mineral density increased at all sites for participants taking low-dose bio-identical hormone replacement (BHRT) compared with placebo . There were no statistically significant differences in breast tenderness, changes in uterine thickness, or annual mammographic results between women on BHRT and the placebo group. There were no reports of breast cancer during the study.

For more information visit http://www.signaturewellness.org