I am a practicing Gynecologist and have been an advocate of hormone replacement therapy for my patients. I have been anxiously anticipating the FDA approval of a drug called "Livial" (generic name: tibolone) in this country for years. I believe that the FDA continues to table the approval of this drug due to influence and pressure by other major drug companies. Livial offers women ALL the benefits of estrogen with virtually NONE of the negative effects (with the exception of the heart and stroke risk being virtually the same.) Livial may not have the same beneficial effect as estrogen on lipid profiles in some women. Specifically, Livial treats hot flashes, osteoporosis, skin aging, vaginal dryness AND has a positive effect of mood and libido. Furthermore, it has a PREVENTATIVE effect on the breast and does not need to be combined with progesterone in women who have not had a hysterectomy. Nearly all of my patients who are reluctant to take hormones in menopause are fearful of the breast cancer risk of estrogen. Livial is chemically related to Tamoxifen which patients are often given after treatment for breast cancer to prevent recurrence. Livial was developed 20 years ago in Europe and is available in nearly EVERY country except the US and Canada. I would like readers to be aware of this wonderful product and mindful of the shameful pressures of US drug makers to keep this product out of the US market for competitive reasons. Livial is manufactured in the Netherlands and the U.K. by Organon a respected drug company that also makes fertility drugs, birth control pills, Nuvaring, and the new implant for birth control. I have no affiliation with this company, the FDA nor any other pharmaceutical company. I feel that American women are being cheated out of the opportunity to receive a better and healthier alternative to estrogen replacement. James Goldstone, M.D. F.A.C.O.G.[/b]
p.s. oh yes, and NO weight gain.