Hormone Therapy and Heart Disease

Hi Anonymous,
Thanks for your question and for being a part of the EmpowHER community.
Here is what the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists (ACOG) says in a pamphlet about Hormone Therapy about Bioidentical Hormones:
"Bioidentical hormones are hormones from plants that are combined together (compounded) by a pharmacist using instructions from a doctor. These hormones have the same risks as hormone therapies approved by the FDA and may have additional risks."
According to the Mayo Clinic website, there is no improved safety in using "bioidentical" hormone therapy instead of synthetic hormone therapy--that is not specifically related to heart disease, but an across the board assumption. Some people like the idea of bioidentical because they are from plant sources. Some therapies also are created according to your personal needs.
It is suggested by the FDA and the ACOG, that in regard to hormone therapy of any kind, "A woman should take the smallest dose of hormone therapy that works for her, for the shortest possible time."
This definitely would be something one of our writers should look into more (I sense an upcoming Advocacy Sheet topic coming on). Everything I found on the topic was at least a year old. Thanks again for your question! Let us know how else we can help you.
-Christine

Here are links in case you want to read up on what I was quoting:
ACOG Hormone Therapy Pamphlet
Mayo Clinic Website - Bioidentical Hormone Safety