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 .
Low-dose estradiol for climacteric symptoms in Japanese women: a randomized, controlled trial
Objectives To investigate two different doses of oral estradiol to reduce the number of hot flushes in Japanese women with climacteric symptoms . Methods Women ( n = 211 ) aged 40–64 years who had experienced natural menopause or bilateral oophorectomy , with ≥ three moderate/severe hot flushes per day in the week before study , were r and omized to receive micronized estradiol ( E2 ) 0.5 or 1.0 mg or placebo once daily for 8 weeks . The primary efficacy endpoint was percentage change in mean daily number of hot flushes over 7 days from baseline to final examination . Results Percentage change in mean daily number of hot flushes at final examination was similar for E2 0.5 mg and E2 1.0 mg ( −79.58 ± 28.29 % vs. −82.49 ± 25.31 % , p = 0.555 ) but was significantly lower with placebo ( −57.89 ± 34.15 % , p < 0.001 vs. E2 , both doses ) . There was no significant difference in number of treatment-related adverse events occurring in the E2 0.5 and 1.0 mg groups ( 25 % and 36.6 % , respectively ) . The higher E2 dose showed more pronounced effects on symptom severity . Conclusions The dose of 0.5 mg/day was effective as the oral E2 starting dose for treatment of hot flushes in Japanese women
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 .