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 .
Beliefs about bioidentical hormone therapy: a cross-sectional survey of pharmacists.
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to assess pharmacists ' beliefs about bioidentical hormone therapy ( BHT ) and to identify factors influencing these beliefs . STUDY DESIGN This was a cross-sectional survey of pharmacists . An email invitation to participate in the online survey  was sent to a r and om sample of 2000 pharmacists in Alberta . The survey was accessible for a six-week period from May to July , 2011 . A 54-item question naire was used to capture knowledge and beliefs about , and confidence in BHT . Summary statistics and multivariate regression were used for analyses . RESULTS Overall , 401 pharmacists completed the survey ( response rate 20 % ) . Respondents were mainly female ( 64 % ) , above 30 years of age ( 81 % ) and in practice for more than 10 years ( 63 % ) . Only 35 % of respondents correctly classified BHT as including both compounding and commercial products . In regards to beliefs , 68 % of respondents agreed that BHT is as effective as non-bioidentical hormones for vasomotor symptoms , while 60 % agreed BHT had equal risk . Beliefs on estriol , progesterone , and saliva testing however , were more diverse with many " do not know " responses ( 40 % ) . In multivariate analysis , pharmacists who worked in pharmacies that compounded BHT were more likely to believe in BHT safety ( p<0.001 ) , and have greater confidence with BHT ( p<0.001 ) . CONCLUSIONS Results from this survey indicated that pharmacists had varying beliefs on BHT . In addition , beliefs on the safety of BHT were associated with pharmacists ' practice , specifically working in a pharmacy that compounds BHT . This study helps identify areas for targeted education
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 .