Subgroup analysesSubgroup analyses by dose of BHT suggested that higher doses of BHT may be associated with more effectiveness but also higher risk of adverse effects .
There was low to moderate quality evidence that BHT in various forms and doses is more effective than placebo for treating moderate to severe menopausal hot flushes .
There was some evidence to suggest that higher doses of BHT are associated with greater effectiveness but also with higher risk of adverse effects .
No data are yet available about the safety of BHT with regard to long-term outcomes such as heart attack , stroke and breast cancer .
BACKGROUND Various hormone therapies ( HT ) are available to treat  menopausal vasomotor symptoms .
Bioidentical hormones are chemically identical to those produced by the human body , and several types are well-tested and available on prescription .
Many women have opted for bioidentical hormone therapy ( BHT ) on the assumption that it is safer than other forms of HT .
We evaluated the evidence .
OBJECTIVES To determine the effectiveness and safety of bioidentical hormones compared to placebo or non-bioidentical hormones for the relief of vasomotor symptoms .
Efficacy and tolerability of Estraderm MX, a new estradiol matrix patch.
OBJECTIVES To assess the efficacy and tolerability of a new matrix patch delivering 0.05 mg estradiol per day ( Estraderm MX 50 ) in postmenopausal women with moderate to severe postmenopausal symptoms . METHODS A multicenter , double-blind , r and omized , between-patient , placebo controlled trial in 109 postmenopausal women was carried out . Patches were applied twice weekly for 12 weeks . Patients were assessed at 4 , 8 and 12 weeks of treatment . The primary efficacy variable was change from baseline in mean number of moderate to severe hot flushes ( including night sweats ) per 24 h during the last 2 weeks of treatment . Other variables included Kupperman Index , local and systemic tolerability . Plasma concentrations of estradiol ( E2 ) , estrone ( E1 ) and estrone sulfate ( E1S ) were determined before and after treatment . RESULTS Estraderm MX was significantly superior to placebo ( P < 0.001 ) in reducing mean number of moderate to severe hot flushes ( including night sweats ) per 24 h after 4 , 8 and 12 weeks of treatment . The estimate of treatment group differences after 12 weeks was 4.2 hot flushes ( 95 % confidence interval : 2.6 - 5.8 ) . Estraderm MX also significantly reduced Kupperman Index at all time points compared to placebo ( P < 0.001 ) . Estraderm MX induced increases in mean E2 , E1 and E1S plasma levels as expected ( E2 : baseline 2.7 pg/ml , 12 weeks 38.9 pg/ml ; E1 : baseline 18.8 pg/ml , 12 weeks 41.6 pg/ml ; E1S : baseline 235.6 pg/ml , 12 weeks 765.1 pg/ml ) . Overall rates of adverse experiences were similar for Estraderm MX and placebo . The number of patients reporting skin irritation was low and similar in both groups . CONCLUSIONS Estraderm MX 50 , a new matrix patch , offers an effective and well tolerated dosage form for transdermal delivery of 0.05 mg E2 per day
Subgroup analysesSubgroup analyses by dose of BHT suggested that higher doses of BHT may be associated with more effectiveness but also higher risk of adverse effects .
There was low to moderate quality evidence that BHT in various forms and doses is more effective than placebo for treating moderate to severe menopausal hot flushes .
There was some evidence to suggest that higher doses of BHT are associated with greater effectiveness but also with higher risk of adverse effects .
No data are yet available about the safety of BHT with regard to long-term outcomes such as heart attack , stroke and breast cancer .
BACKGROUND Various hormone therapies ( HT ) are available to treat  menopausal vasomotor symptoms .
Bioidentical hormones are chemically identical to those produced by the human body , and several types are well-tested and available on prescription .
Many women have opted for bioidentical hormone therapy ( BHT ) on the assumption that it is safer than other forms of HT .
We evaluated the evidence .
OBJECTIVES To determine the effectiveness and safety of bioidentical hormones compared to placebo or non-bioidentical hormones for the relief of vasomotor symptoms .