Women's Health or Wyeth's Wealth

The recent question posed by an iammodern reader is a great lead into the huge controversy surrounding Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). In general, Bioidential Hormone Relacement Therapy (BHRT) refers to the replacement of hormones that diminish with aging to restore a physiologic equilibrium. When done under the supervision of a qualified physician well trained in HRT, it can really improve the quality of life. Unfortunately, the huge debate over the safety of HRT has been ongoing for years.

The big controversy began around 2002 when the Women�s Health Initiative (WHI), a multi-center study of menopausal women was discontinued. The researchers stopped the study when they found an increased risk of invasive breast cancer and coronary heart disease that outweighed the benefits from the hormone replacement therapy. This immediately became sensationalized by the media followed by droves of women calling their doctor�s offices en masse panicked about their risk of being on the hormones. What the media did not tell the public at the time was that the WHI study was based on the use of oral, synthetic hormones rather than bioidential hormones.
By definition, bioidentical hormones mimic the chemical structure of hormones that the human body makes naturally.

The term �bioidentical� indicates that the chemical structure of the replacement hormone is essentially identical to that of the natural human hormone. Therefore, it is metabolically processed in much the same way resulting in greater bio-availability and more effective utilization by the human body with less side effects than traditional HRT. The main reason for this is that oral HRT are metabolized by the liver causing hypertension, elevated cholesterol and even an increase in clotting factors and strokes.

The bottom line is: BHRT is safe and effective. It enhances quality of life and diminishes age related morbidity.

Endocrinologists and Anti-Aging physicians have been prescribing BHRT safely for decades. In fact, reports that date back as far as the 1900s show evidence that compounded creams were being made from human urine! Among the many benefits women derive from using BHRT include: fewer side effects than with synthetic hormones, improved cholesterol levels, decreased risk of endometrial and breast cancer, reduced hot flashes and vaginal dryness, better sleep, mood and concentration; and increased libido (I think this one is the reason I get so many �thank you� cards from patients�).

So the main argument boils down to Big Capitalistic Pharmaceutical Company vs. Small Compounding Pharmacy; Synthetic Mare derived Hormones vs. Natural, plant derived hormones that mimic Mother Nature and the human physiologic state.

How many women remember being on Prempro and going in for regular blood or saliva testing to monitor their unique levels of absorption? Laboratory testing is essential to the safe and scientific application of anti-aging BHRT. This is another very important fact that has been kept from the public. Physicians qualified to prescribe BHRT closely monitor their patients when administering treatment and modify/titrate the personalized prescriptions as needed. It�s not �one size fits all.� Each patient�s hormone cream is customized to replenish what they are lacking based on specific laboratory testing. It�s the same concept as a diabetic patient on insulin that has routine blood glucose checks.

For huge drug companies such as Wyeth to continue lobbying and declaring war on an issue that is fundamentally a doctor-patient decision is ludicrous and unconscionable. Add to that the FDA�s plan to stop the compounding of BHRT due to the persistent pressure by goliaths such as Wyeth and we have quite a dilemma on our hands.

I firmly believe that ultimately, as research data increases, this dilemma will become history. Pharmaceutical giants will eventually recognize the error of their ways and, in true capitalistic style, will likely come up with a �very expensive, designer� BHRT themselves.

2008Cosminology www.cosminology.com. All rights reserved.

Dima Ali, M.D. is an internationally recognized aesthetic and anti-aging medicine expert. Her areas of expertise include aesthetic laser surgery, minimally invasive face lifts, lipofilling, botox, soft tissue fillers, chemical peels, sclerotherapy, mesotherapy and bio-identical hormone replacement therapy. Dr. Ali received her undergraduate degree at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX. She received her Doctorate of Medicine and completed her residency training at The George Washington University School of Medicine, in Family Medicine with special emphasis in Dermatology, Cosmetic Surgery, Women�s Health and Preventive Medicine. After completing additional post graduate work in Cosmetic Dermatologic Surgery, she founded one of the East Coasts first medical spas, WellMedica Aesthetic & Anti-Aging Medicine in Reston, VA. Dr. Ali and her staff are deeply committed to the well being of each patient. Combining artistry with state-of-the art technology, they pride themselves on providing each patient with customized care.

WellMedica Aesthetic & Anti-Aging Medicine has been featured in Cosmetic Surgery Times, Vogue, DaySpa Magazine, In Style Magazine, Health and Beauty, The Washingtonian and The Washington Post as one of the �Top Medical Spas in the USA.� Dr. Ali has been featured on CBS News and frequently lectures and teaches hands-on courses at various national and international medical conferences. Dr. Ali is a Fellow of the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery and a faculty member and scientific advisor for The American Academy of Aesthetic Medicine. Dr. Ali is a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery;

The American Medical Association; The American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine and has served as President of Professional Medical Spa Alliance. Dr. Ali has trained under world renowned experts including Dr. Zein Obagi and Dr. Pierre Fournier. In addition she also teaches cosmetic procedures with Dr. Fournier to other physicians, including dermatologists, plastic surgeons, general surgeons and primary care doctors. She is committed to the advancement of aesthetic medicine and surgery and is recognized as an important leader in the Metropolitan Washington D.C. and Northern Virginia areas as well as throughout the aesthetic and medical spa industries. www.cosminology.com www.wellmedica.com