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 .
Chlormadinone acetate versus micronized progesterone in the sequential combined hormone replacement therapy of the menopause.
OBJECTIVE The efficacy and safety of chlormadinone acetate ( CA ) versus micronized progesterone ( P ) were assessed in non-hysterectomized postmenopausal women . MATERIAL S AND METHODS This was a multicenter , r and omized , parallel group study with a 6-month double-blind period followed by a 12-month open period . Patients were r and omized to receive every month during 18 months percutaneous 17 beta-estradiol ( E(2 ) ) 1.5 mg/day from Day 1 to 24 of treatment cycle , combined from Day 11 to 24 to either CA 10 mg/day ( n=167 ) or P 200 mg/day ( n=169 ) .  Endometrial biopsy ( EB , main analysis criterion ) was performed at baseline , and at Day 18 - 24 of the 6th and 18th cycles . RESULTS At Month 6 , EB did not evidence any hyperplasia . EB were inadequate for assessment in 24.5 % and 47.5 % of patients in the CA and MP groups , respectively . CA was found to be as protective as P ( 96.3 % and 92.0 % of success ) . However , the hormonal status of the endometrium differed ( P<0.001 ) : a secretory endometrium was found in 81.5 % of the CA patients , compared to 50.7 % in the P group . These transformations result ed in predictable , cyclic bleeding in 94.5 % of the CA patients , compared to only 62.3 % of the P patients ( P=0.0001 ) . Unscheduled bleeding , spotting and /or metrorrhagia , were more frequent under P than under CA ( 17.9 % and 13.7 % , respectively ) . The beneficial effects on hot flushes were more important in the CA group than in the P ( P<0.001 ) . At Month 18 , the biopsy and clinical results were similar to those obtained at Month 6 . The safety profile , particularly the lipid one , was similar in both groups , except for drowsiness and dizziness , which were significantly more frequent under P than under CA . CONCLUSION The progestative effects of CA on the endometrium and on menopause-related symptoms were at least as good as those of P. Moreover , CA result ed more often than P in secretory effects , and in satisfying bleeding patterns
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 .