Angelina Jolies bio-identical therapy raises hormone questions

Angelina Jolie

Susan Donaldson James TODAY contributor

March 26, 2015 at 1:22 PM ET

Angelina Jolie, thrust into early menopause followingpreventive cancer surgery, said she's using bio-identical hormones a choice that's raised new questions about the safest therapies for easing menopause symptoms.

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Angelina Jolie recently underwent a second cancer-prevention surgery.

Jolie, 39, said in aNew York Times op-ed piece Tuesday that she had consulted both Eastern and Western doctors, looking for natural ways to deal with her cancer risk.

It's unclear what specific types of hormones Jolie might be taking, but without hormone replacement therapy, she'd cope with the typical symptoms of menopause: hot flashes, vaginal dryness, insomnia and mood swings. Because shes experiencing menopause much earlier than the average age of 51, she also would be at risk for early osteoporosis and cardiovascular problems.

Bio-identical means a lab-made hormone meant to be molecularly similar to the estrogen and progesterone produced in women's bodies. There are dozens of hormone products on the market, and hormone replacement therapy available today is very different from formulations sold in the 1990s and earlier.

The Food and Drug Administration approves some plant-based hormones, but cautions about using those made by unregulated compounding pharmacies that cater to women who are uneasy about taking hormones.

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Angelina Jolies bio-identical therapy raises hormone questions