FAQ
Is bio-identical hormone replacement right for me?
Our bodies contain trillions of cells that must communicate with each other in order to carry out necessary physiologic functions. Their language is conducted by hormones, the chief chemical messengers between cells. Traveling through the blood, hormones enter cells through “receptor” sites much as a key unlocks a door. Once inside, they govern growth, development, and mental and physical functions throughout life. Hormones exist in harmony with each other. When balance is lost, hormone deficiencies and excesses can become toxic to the body, causing unwanted symptoms.
Most women benefit from hormone balancing. My goal in treatment is to balance hormones and reduce Estrogen Dominance. Estrogen Dominance is a condition in which a woman can have deficient, normal, or excess estrogen, but in the absence of ovulation, little or no Progesterone to balance its effects upon the body. When estrogen is dominant and progesterone deficient, estrogen becomes toxic to the body. This condition increases the risk of estrogen driven cancers, and causes weight gain, fatigue, and a myriad of other chronic symptoms, that are common among women today.
Hormone balance is deeply connected to the food we ear, the exercise we get, the toxins we absorb, and the stress level we live with. Many hormonal imbalances can be corrected by lifestyle changes and improving self care measures.
| If you have any of the following symptoms, you may have a hormone imbalance: | ||
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• Mood Swings • Irregular, Heavy, or Painful Periods • Hot Flashes • Night Sweats • Tender/Fibrocystic Breast • Uterine Fibroids • Endometriosis • Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome • Foggy Thinking |
• Low Libido • Diminishing Sexual Function • Scalp Hair Loss • Excess facial/body hair • Infertility • Acne • Sleep Disturbance • Bloating • Irritability |
• Anxiety • Depression • Heart Palpitations • Headaches • Bone Loss • Water Retention • Weight Gain • Difficulty Losing Weight • Vaginal Dryness |
Is bio-identical hormone replacement safe for me to use?
Unfortunately this question has become a difficult and confusing debate. Women are unsure if Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is safe or right for them. Let me take a few minutes to provide you with how I, and many others in health care, view the use of Bio-identical Hormones in the treatment of menopausal Symptoms, preventing and reversing osteoporosis, and decreasing risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Hormone balancing is also required for improving many physiologic functions related to optimizing women’s health.
There have been numerous articles in the press and television programs discussing the safety of hormone replacement therapy for women, since the pre-mature cancellation of the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) trial of oral conjugated estrogens and oral medroxyprogesterone acetate (Prempro). This was a study of the of the most highly prescribed conventional hormone replacement, which was the primary hormone replacement therapy for approximately the past 40-50 years. The Estrogen component (Premarin) is manufactured from pregnant horses’ urine. It contains Equilin and Equilinin—horses estrogen. Women do not naturally have these hormones.
Some authorities have expressed surprise over the negative outcomes demonstrated such as increased cardiovascular disease, breast cancer, thromboembolic events (blood clots), but have completely ignored the reasons for these negative outcomes. As a result women and health care providers have been presented with an overwhelming barrage of information about HRT, some of which is conflicting and alarming. Many health care providers have responded by avoiding any form of HRT, because they believe that there are no other options. Unfortunately this approach leaves many women without practical answers for treatment of menopausal changes and prevention of post menopausal health issues related to hormone deficiency and imbalance.
Over the Past 15-20 years, practitioners have been prescribing natural forms of bio-identical hormone therapy to thousands of women. The treatments have included the use of various compounded hormone creams, sub-lingual drops, as well as Estradiol patches and Prometrium. The idea is that bio-identical hormones are identical to hormones produced in the human body, naturally. The dose is biologically tailored to the individual. Response to treatment and Salivary hormone levels are utilized to individualize the dosing, creating a natural hormone balance unique for you.
Many authorities are advocating that we stop treatment with HRT until more trials are conducted, or to restrict hormone replacement to no more than 5 years.
There is a large body of research to support the safety of hormone replacement. We have amassed a tremendous amount of information on steroid hormones, their metabolism and their physiologic roles. Following natural physiology as closely as possible seems to be a reasonable approach in the face of uncertainty because, in a sense, bio-identical hormones have undergone safety trials as long as humans have walked the earth. If we pay attention to fundamentals, we should be able to go forward with minimum risk.
Women of all ages may need hormone balancing at some time in their lives. Often significant hormonal shifts, such as starting your menses, periods of excessive stress, child birth, and gynecological surgeries can cause hormone imbalance. Also, conditions such as Endometriosis, Uterine Fibroids, and heavy or painful periods can be related to hormone imbalances. All of these conditions can be treated using bio-identical hormone balancing and moderate lifestyle modification.
Menopause is not a single point in time when the ovaries are switched off for good, but occurs in stages over the span of a women's reproductive life. It's a transition that begins and ends with female fertility and in the process, reshapes the way we think, feel, act, and grow into our second adulthood.
Why Saliva Testing?
Saliva testing measures the free, “bioavailable” levels of the hormones that have moved out of the bloodstream and into the tissue. Blood and Urine measure total levels, which do not accurately represent the actual amount of hormone reaching the target tissue. In addition, saliva is the most reliable measurement of tissue uptake with topical hormone supplementation. I have utilized Saliva Testing for many years and have found it to be the best indicator of women’s hormone levels.
For more information regarding Saliva Testing Visit the Following Web Sites:
http://www.labrix.com/
http://www.salivatest.com/
How can I balance my hormones?
Hormone balance is deeply connected to the food we eat, the exercise we get, the toxins we absorb and the stress level we live with. How these factors impact hormone levels and adrenal balance in particular is crucial. The adrenal glands make key hormones that not only mobilize stress and immune responses, but also build and maintain bone, muscle, sex drive and function at any age. When the adrenals get run down, we get run down. The adrenals glands pick up the slack in mid-life hormone output. Extra self care helps them distress and hang in there. The following helps to improve adrenal function and therefore improve hormone balance:
• Avoid chemicals
• Counteract stress and distress where you can
• Stop smoking
• Get regular exercise
• If you need to lose weight—find help to do so
• Choose organic, hormone free foods and products
• Get enough sleep
• Learn what your body needs to feel good
• Have fun
The key to hormone balance is the knowledge that hormones work in tandem with a healthy mind and body. Healthy diet, regular exercise, select supplements, and stress management go a long way in balancing your physiology and hormones. If you continue to have problems with imbalance, then consider hormone balancing using bio-identical hormones. Use the three rules of thumb as outlined by John R. Lee, M.D.: First, determine your symptoms and changes. Second, take hormones only if you need them. Third, use only bio-identical hormones and use doses that create normal, physiologic levels.
