Duavee review

Since last I wrote about Duavee, I have had several e-mails from a scientist heavily involved with hormone research, specifically the development of an ideal selective estrogen receptor modulator (aka SERM) for post-menopausal use. Our communications have convinced me that this medication is the best solution currently available for those of us aging ladies unhappy with the physical effects of no estrogen on the quality of our lives yet worried about the downside of hormone therapy.


SERMs are, as I mentioned, synthetic molecules that act like estrogen insofar as they can occupy estrogen receptor sites on cell membranes.  However, unlike estrogen which activates cellular machinery in a stimulatory sort of way, these compounds can activate or turn-off estrogen effects depending on the specific tissue involved.  For instance, the SERM tamoxifen is used to prevent the development or recurrence of estrogen-receptor positive breast cancer (a tumor whose growth and spread is spurred on by its interaction with estrogen) through a blockade of estrogen receptors in the breasts. Raloxifene (brand name Evista) is prescribed for the prevention and treatment of post-menopausal bone loss because it stimulates bone in an estrogen sort of way but has tamoxifen-like effects on breast estrogen receptors.  Due to this latter property of the drug, it has the possible beneficial side effect of decreasing risk of estrogen-driven breast cancer but is not FDA approved for this purpose.


Duavee contains bazedoxifene, the newest addition to available SERMs. This compound turns on estrogen receptors in bone while turning off those in breast and uterine tissue.  When paired with a touch of conjugated estrogens (Premarin), it promotes bone health while blocking detrimental effects of its estrogen partner on breasts and uterus. Meanwhile, the estrogen squashes hot flashes and favorably affects vaginal dryness although the dose is low enough that it may not completely eliminate these problems. This is exactly what I was looking for in menopause support as my bone density is going downhill along with my height, and my sleep continues disturbed by hot flashes.


If you've been researching menopausal remedies, you are aware that the ongoing use of hormones after menopause can stimulate unwanted cell proliferation in both the breasts and the uterus and, over time, can induce a malignant transformation in either of these tissues.  For those of us who have never had a hysterectomy, hormone replacement therapy has routinely included progesterone in order to protect the uterus from estrogenic stimulation.  Progesterone, however, is fraught with side effects including breast swelling and tenderness, bleeding, drowsiness (especially from natural progesterone), and depression.  Worst of all, the estrogen/progesterone combo, whether 'natural' (molecules produced synthetically but just like those you had through your reproductive years) or 'unnatural', is the actual culprit behind the very small but real increase in breast cancer risk associated with HRT.


I'm just like you, who wants breast cancer, uterine cancer, drowsiness, underwear-ruining spotting, or just big old breasts that hurt every time you bounce downstairs?  I have loved and used transdermal estrogen patches through the years.  I have tried natural progesterone but it makes me so goofy the day after that I can't get a sentence out without fumbling word choice or pronunciation.  I have taken norethindrone rarely to counteract the estrogen, but honestly I can only say that it creeps me out when my breasts get sore.


Three months into Duavee, I feel great.  I pretty much felt great before I started Duavee but my sleep was disturbed by middle-of-the-night hot flashes which now are gone. While backaches and fretting can still plague me in the wee hours, I mostly awaken now refreshed instead of grumpy and reluctant to rise. My breasts do not feel altered in any big or sore sort of way.  I think I'm less scatter-brained, but only time--and my husband!--will tell on that one.  And finally, another time-telling sort of thing, I am hopeful based on the well-researched science of Duavee and its carefully formulated blend of estrogen and SERM (9 different combinations were tested) that my bone density, decreasing over the last two years along with my dose of estrogen, will stabilize when I check it next year.


If your 'change' is not for the better, and you're trying to make a decision about what to do about it, talk to your doc about Duavee.  I went through menopause a decade ago so I can't be sure how well it works for those just starting on journey, but I am pleased with this choice for residual flashing, bone density support, and less worry about breast cancer.