Study Shows Hormone Replacement Therapy Efficacy for Menopause Showing Importance of Bioidentical Treatment Access

The menopause transition is an innate part of aging for women. Menopause is marked by the end of menstruation and a myriad of physical and emotional symptoms, including hot flashes, migraines, difficulty sleeping, vaginal dryness, low libido, weight fluctuations, and more. This complex transition is as unique as every woman who experiences it, calling for comprehensive medical care, evidence- and science-backed solutions, and companies like Winona, dedicated to alleviating the challenges of menopause through care and education.  

Central to Winona’s menopause care is bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (HRT), including plant-derived estrogen and progesterone, as well as DHEA supplements and a sexual enhancement cream for women called Blossom. As a telehealth company with a mission to help all women throughout this, Winona offers free online consultations where physicians customize a treatment plan to each woman’s specific needs.  

An analysis newly published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) exploring the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) study, gives further credence to Winona’s bioidentical approach to HRT as the leading treatment for menopause symptoms. 

The original study, based on the use of synthetic HRT, followed 161,808 postmenopausal women between 1993 and 1998 and collected data for twenty more years. The WHI determined the efficacy and side effects of HRT during menopause, concluding that the benefits outweigh the risks, especially for early menopause patients below 60. The risks and side effects that were cited were directly linked to the synthetic hormones used, rather than bioidentical HRT. 

“Hormone replacement therapy, when started before the age of 60, has been shown to decrease the risk of cardiovascular events. This is primarily the reason that women who use hormone replacement therapy have a longer life expectancy than women who do not. However, when a woman starts taking hormone replacement therapy for the first time after age 60, we do see an increased risk of cardiovascular events during the first 2 years of use. Because of this, Winona is very careful about our prescription practices, and we do not provide home replacement therapy for women over 60,” says Dr. Michael Green, Chief Medical Officer of Winona. 

According to Winona’s experts, transparency is the answer to the confusion surrounding the topic of menopause and HRT. Both the risks and benefits should be clearly given, allowing each woman to make an informed decision that best supports her lifestyle, goals, and needs. “Every woman is different, and while HRT may be the perfect solution for some, it won’t be for everyone. That’s why it’s crucial to understand treatment varieties, the optimal dosage, and the most effective form of hormone intake,” says Dr. Cathleen Brown, Medical Director at Winona. 

Decades-long research simplifies the decision-making process, equipping doctors and patients with vital data regarding HRT. For instance, progesterone, a hormone supplemented alongside estrogen in women who haven’t removed their uterus, is now available in bioidentical micronized progesterone, which does not increase breast cancer risk. 

“Bioidentical hormones are exactly the same as the hormones that your body naturally produces. There are other hormones that are used that are so-called ‘biosimilar’ or synthetic hormones that are close but not exactly the same as the naturally occurring hormones. Hormones that are not an identical match with what the body produces come with a higher risk of side effects and often need to be used in increased doses to get full effect. A good example is progesterone. Synthetic progesterones, called progestins, are well known to stimulate appetite and can therefore cause weight gain. Bioidentical progesterone is much less likely to cause this effect,” adds Dr. Green. 

At Winona, patients are presented with multiple options when choosing their treatment plan. Their physicians make suggestions based on medical history and the information gathered in the onboarding process. Winona’s options include estrogen, progesterone, and DHEA in the form of compounded body and vaginal creams, oral pills, and skin patches. 

While HRT is the most effective solution for menopause symptom relief, there are contraindications that make the risk-benefit ratio too high for certain individuals. For those who cannot take HRT, lifestyle changes and non-hormonal options are the alternatives. Such methods include regular exercise, a balanced and nutritious diet, relaxation techniques, and avoiding potential triggers, including caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine. 

“When you are not a safe candidate for HRT, there are other ways your symptoms can be treated. For patients with medical problems that make HRT too high risk, we generally recommend that they see a menopause specialist in person to be able to explore other options more fully and to have the opportunity for a thorough physical exam if necessary. There are other medications that are non-hormonal that can help menopausal symptoms to a certain degree when a patient is not a good candidate for HRT,” says Dr. Brown. 

Since 2021, when Winona was founded to aid with menopause treatment and care, the company has been empowering women through education, science-backed medicine, and its commitment to celebrating each stage of womanhood. With recent analysis further supporting a bioidentical HRT approach, Winona remains steadfast in their mission to support women and encourage all to make informed decisions about their health and bodies. 

This article is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. If you are seeking medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, please consult a medical professional or healthcare provider.