If you haven’t already seen Sex and the City 2, the movie offers more than just fun, laughs, and woman-power–it provokes thought on an important medical issue.

In one of the wild storylines, Samantha Jones (played by Kim Cattrall) is going through menopause and using bioidentical hormones as her treatment: estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone. Most women don’t even know this natural hormone alternative exists since the last word from their doctor (and the news) was that synthetic hormone replacement therapy (HRT) significantly increases one’s risk of heart disease and breast cancer.

What is more, any breast cancer survivor in the audience who remembers Samantha’s history would consider her treatment as downright bad medicine. But, is it? Is Hollywood so irresponsible? Should one take medical advice from a movie anyway?

Bioidentical hormones are completely different molecules from synthetic hormones. What is more, they are actually more effective and safer than synthetic hormones for the treatment of menopause. In fact, Hollywood’s decision to raise awareness about bioidentical hormones in Sex and the City 2 is cutting-edge in comparison to Broadway’s choice to promote antidepressants and “welcome and celebrate” menopause in Menopause The Musical.

Sex and the City 2 offers new information about menopause therapy for women to think about and discuss with their doctor.

1 Comment

Barbara on March 28, 2012 at 4:26 pm

absolutely not. She had me come in for an ultrasound since I was eeblding and found fibroids. Because I was eeblding, she said she wanted to biopsy them and also wanted to refer me to a rhuemetologist (sp?) for all the other things. I asked her if I could reduce the dose first to see if that would make a difference and she said no, what was happening had nothing to do with the hormones. When I was told that I had to take a pregnancy test and they would not take no for an answer Despite the fact that (1) I have not had a cycle for two years; (2) My husband had a vasectomy ten years ago and; (3) She just did a flipping ultrasound and could see everything in there and I don’t recall a heartbeat being one of them I knew this woman is in this for the billing and could care less about me or my health. I have canceled my biopsy and follow-up appts. with her and now here I am, on this journey and not alone at all. I hope I am able to eventually contribute some good info as I find my way. Thanks JudyB for this resource!

Barbara on March 28, 2012 at 4:26 pm

absolutely not. She had me come in for an ultrasound since I was eeblding and found fibroids. Because I was eeblding, she said she wanted to biopsy them and also wanted to refer me to a rhuemetologist (sp?) for all the other things. I asked her if I could reduce the dose first to see if that would make a difference and she said no, what was happening had nothing to do with the hormones. When I was told that I had to take a pregnancy test and they would not take no for an answer Despite the fact that (1) I have not had a cycle for two years; (2) My husband had a vasectomy ten years ago and; (3) She just did a flipping ultrasound and could see everything in there and I don’t recall a heartbeat being one of them I knew this woman is in this for the billing and could care less about me or my health. I have canceled my biopsy and follow-up appts. with her and now here I am, on this journey and not alone at all. I hope I am able to eventually contribute some good info as I find my way. Thanks JudyB for this resource!