Hot Topic! "Bioidentical" hormones widely used by menopausal women, study finds But the compounded drugs may present health hazards women aren't aware of--Here's another thing the Internet has brought us: widely promoted, but untested and unapproved, drugs that can supposedly ease women's journey through menopause.

An analysis of two large surveys find that as many as 68% of women are using compounded -- so-called "bioidentical" -- hormones without understanding their risks. The analysis was published online in Menopause, the journal of The North American Menopause Society.

"These results indicate a general lack of understanding about key differences between compounded and FDA-approved hormone therapy. This publication establishes the need for better education on this topic," commented Dr. Margery Gass, the society's executive director.

The analysis found that nearly 40 million prescriptions are being written for compounded hormones. But it seems that women who take them don't know what they're getting into.

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