| How
should a woman deal with synthetic hormone replacement therapy?
Take Mary's
case for instance, she has been taking Premarin for more than
20 years following her hysterectomy. After the news report
in June of this year on the side effects of synthetic hormones,
she wanted to stop.
If she did, what could she do to prevent osteoporosis, hot
flashes, night sweats and all that goes with the menopause
syndrome? Or should she continue and risk the increased probability
of breast cancer? I am here to share with you vital information
on treatment options and provide some insight that may help
you reach a personal decision.
Is
there any validation to this hormone scare?
First,
some background material, as given in Internal Medicine News,
August, 2002. The debate of hormone replacement therapy has
been carried on for about 40 years since its inception. The
Women's Health Initiative study with its results, published
this June, is most important, because it is the first randomized,
double-blind primary preventive trial (i.e. most scientifically
accurate).
The study was originally planned for eight years, but was
terminated three years early because data indicated high risks
for participants, i.e. human subjects. So therefore, there
is validity to the scare.
Are
there any hormone pills that are safe for a person to take?
More and
more people are using "natural" bio-identical hormones
because of their distrust for synthetic drugs. Though there
has not been any long-term study on bio-identical hormones,
research at the laboratory indicates that they have fewer
side effects. Because of the complexity in hormone therapy,
these bio-identical hormones are best prescribed by physicians
and monitored accordingly. It is necessary to find a pharmacy
that can prepare these prescriptions.
Some bio-identical hormones such as progestin and progesterone
cream can be purchased at health food stores without prescription.
If symptoms persist after three months of use, consult a physician
or health provider who is knowledgeable in holistic hormone
treatment.
Will
you comment on the birth control pill?
For the
younger woman who is taking synthetic hormones for birth control,
I would recommend that she slowly changes to natural hormones
and then to herbs. The timing depends on her endocrinal hormone
cycle, her life style, stress level and diet.
A lot of women take Provera, the birth control pill, which
is a synthetic hormone. The body has no way of handling synthetics,
so this remains in the system and accumulates. Provera will
stop ovulation, thus providing birth control. When it is discontinued,
the menstrual cycle may become irregular, or it may remain
regular but with no ovulation, thus extending infertility
whether you want it or not. The body has no enzyme with which
to digest this synthetic Provera. It is true that women have
a right to control their bodies, but they also need to be
aware of these facts.
After
a hysterectomy, or in old age, does the body stop producing
hormones?
When there
is a hysterectomy, in most cases the ovaries are also removed,
but this does not mean that the power to create hormones ceases.
The adrenals now take over, and handles most of the functions
that belonged to the ovaries, but on a smaller scale. Progesterone
is one of the hormones produced by the adrenals.
Older people can get by on a minimal amount of hormones. Often,
for them, herbs can be the answer. Commonly used are: chaste
berry, horsetail, black cohosh, dang gui (angelica sinensis),
ginseng and licorice. Some Chinese herb formulas, combining
several herbs together with synergetic effects have been found
to be very useful.
What
can a woman do who is taking hormones and wants to change?
If she
is already on synthetic hormones and wishes to convert to
bio-identical hormones or herbs, she should allow a couple
months for the transition. During this period, reduce synthetic
dosage gradually (to maybe a couple times a week), while adding
the natural replacements. It is important to make the change
slowly.
Our bodies are miracles. We can tolerate a lot of chemicals
and still survive. For a better life than survival we need
to shift back to a more natural life style; eat more organic
foods and exercise.
What
else can a woman do for herself?
The alternative
to taking synthetic hormones is a good diet, good rest and
exercise. Also, as mentioned above, you can take natural hormones.
It has been proven that natural progestin works a lot better
than the synthetic in preventing osteoporosis.
Do
all women suffer through menopause?
Statistics
show that 50% of women in the United States experience the
menopausal syndrome. In Japan, only 6% suffer with the 'change
of life.' The Japanese do not even acknowledge the menopause
as a disease. Diet in Japan, which includes soy products,
less meat, more vegetables and food from the ocean, is credited
with the easy passage.
Are
there any outside factors that aggravate, over which a woman
has no control?
Many of
our problems can be attributed to pesticides. They go into
the ground, become part of our plants, and get into our water
supply. Then there are other powerful pharmaceutical companies
which promote the use synthetic hormones.
Thank
you for sharing this valuable information.
Locally,
Dr. Wu will work with you, directly, or with your primary
care physician or gynecologist to develop a treatment program
most beneficial to your needs.
PCMC also provides a wide spectrum of medical services, including
acupuncture, exercise classes and an herb store to help you
lead a healthy life style. See also articles in the Fall 2002
newsletter by Yoshiko Kage, Dorel Rotar and Michael Nian-Peng
Shi, members of our staff, for more information.
| 
Certain
plant foods such as soybean and flaxseed contain
estrogen-likesubstances that regulate or stabilize hormones.
The isoflavones in soy products are referred to as phytoestrogen
because of their plant origin. 
towards
estrogens, an effect opposite in some ways to that of chaste
berry and is useful in relieving menstrual cramps and against
depression at the time of menopause. (Wright & Morgenthaler,
p.112) 