I just finished Suzanne Somers' new book, "The Sexy Years," in which she talks about "bioidentical hormones." Do you know what these are and think they are as effective as Somers says?

Naturopathic physicians have been using bioidentical hormones for 20 years. At the Yellowstone Naturopathic Clinic, we've prescribed this type of hormone therapy for 12 years. I appreciate that Somers has brought this option for women to the attention of the public. It's important to realize the idea that "one-size-fits-all" in regards to any therapy is ineffective for many individuals.

Our experience in treating women in the climacteric period (peri-menopause, menopause and post-menopause) is that each requires a different approach. We help women identify treatments available and sort out what factors to consider in making their decisions. We offer bioidentical hormones as one option, and we often use different types of tests to assess an individual's specific processing of the hormones.

Deciding what to do about hormones is difficult for many women. When the information is presented in a straightforward manner, most women can choose what is best for them. With menopause, a large array of treatment options exist and there are areas of uncertainty. We need to make decisions we feel comfortable and revisit these decisions to make sure that, with changing scientific information, we remain satisfied with our plan.

In the last couple of years, reports from large research projects have questioned hormone therapy practices. Commonly used pharmaceutical estrogens and progestins were used for their effectiveness without scientific data regarding safety.

Bioidentical hormones are made from sterols, or fats extracted from wild yam or soy. They are considered safe because they have the same biochemical structure as the estrogens, progesterones and testosterones made by our own bodies. Use of these hormones after menopause also needs to be studied more extensively.

We have been attempting to use the bioidentical hormones for an osteoporosis study in Billings, but without the financial resources of the pharmaceutical companies, it has been difficult to get a sizable study off the ground.

As naturopathic physicians, we know long-term safety does not rely solely on the type of hormone used but in the ability of a woman's body to process and dispose of hormones. A growing body of scientific knowledge is recognizing the link between breast cancer and other factors beyond hormone therapy.

Recently reported studies said reduced incidence of breast cancer was found with the highest average lifetime activity for pre- and post-menopausal women. It is also known that hormone therapy may reduce the incidence of colon cancer by 37 percent. Exercise is also associated with a 30 percent reduction of the incidence of colon cancer. Combined with flaxseed, the risk of colon cancer can be reduced to be equal to the reduced risk from hormone therapy. This is an example of information that can help a woman to make an informed choice based on her risk factors.

Dr. Margaret Beeson, ND, completed premed at the University of California, Davis and California State University, Hayward. She received her doctorate of naturopathic medicine and certification in midwifery from Bastyr University in 1989. Beeson completed her residency at the University Health Clinic in Seattle. She founded the Yellowstone Naturopathic Clinic in 1992, and is a primary-care physician with specific expertise in women's health.