bioidentical hormones

[Teresa]

thanks so much OM. I think you said it all very well, and I love this statement best:

What is not being promoted in this country is INTEGRATIVE medicine, where the best of all forms of healing could come together in balance. Where an MD would have the correct, unbiased information, instead of what was taught by a system that needs to keep the drug & insurance companies happy. Christian Northrup is one of those integrative MDs.

I talked to cork yesterday at length, and her concerns are mainly dealing with the use of natural/supplemental products prescribed by doctors or healthcare professionals who are in product sales and not necessarily in it for your health. the anti-aging industry is huge and includes a number of quacks, no surprise, so beware.

She also mentioned the fact that some natural products are illegally prescribed and you may not know that you are purchasing illegal substances. I do know that the FDA (backed by a major pharmaceutical company) is in the process of cracking down on certain compounded estrogens which are being considered a drug in need of regulation (and in need of major marketing by a pharmaceutical I would imagine). I do not have much information on this legal process or what it entails. But, I do know that leading healthcare proponents are very concerned about the outcome, and how it will limit bhrt choices for women.

Let's be clear here we are talking about women's health issues and a range of established hormone replacement therapies under the supervision of your medical doctor, and in conjunction with reputable pharmacies. I felt this was clear from the beginning, but want to make it crystal clear for all. please feel free to give and take on this forum. every woman so far has had a different kind of therapy, and I'm so happy to see all the many choices we have in preserving health in mid-life.

Cork does bring up some questions though that we all need to check out. While we must work with our doctors to find the best solutions currently available for our own situation and health, the field of HRT, whether bioidentical, natural or synthesized, is still in need of much clinical study. While doctors and scientists have a lot to teach us about hormones and how they effect our health from teen years to old age, I am finding that long term studies in women's health is rather limited. we have a wealth of health resources available though, as we have discovered just on this thread, if you are up to the task.

 

[organicmama]

Toots, I totally agree with you. There are so many options out there that women need to be super-educated. For so long, medical research was done for the benefit of men, particulary men of European descent. Research related to cholesterol, high blood pressure, etc. was relevant only to a small segment of society because it didn't take into account all the various factors that go into a person's personal, cultural & ethnic history.

It's a pretty well-known fact that MDs education about drugs, both primary & secondary, is via the very pharmaceutical companies promoting & selling the products. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C02E4DD1E38F93BA25752C1A9659C8B63 That is only one article in the NY Times. I wanted to show that this knowledge is mainstream, not just some hippified hooey, as some would like the masses to believe.

This isn't any less dangerous than slick, anti-aging gurus, which, of course, are very much out there. Making MDs sound like un-biased demi-gods that know everything and can make their decisions without the prejudice of their background, which is by its very nature based on drugs and surgery, is why I am offering both sides of the coin, instead of just a one-sided version of the reality of today's health care system.

I don't believe that the mass-marketing of anything as a magic bullet is remotely worth believing. There is a skin care company that promotes it's own progesterone creme as the end all and be all... the solution for every woman. Their stance is: Get every woman on the progesterone creme & you will have a customer for life. Having uneducated consumers who don't know more than what the company is telling them, selling a product that contain precursers for very strong hormones is absolutely nuts.

Pharmaceutical companies are also looking for lifetime consumers of their products. That's why they keep coming out with new, slick drugs. If I ever consider taking a drug for restless leg syndrome, shoot my butt instead. A bit of relaxation would cure more than another drug to take in that instance.

Personally, I don't choose an OB/Gyn. I have seen them but find that a midwife meets my needs far more than an MD. I wish that the health care system was balanced enough that the same types of midwives that I would choose for my prenatal care were allowed to give me well-woman check-ups, but they aren't. So, my views on my health as a female don't come from a relationship with my MD.

When I worked in the natural health industry, I would not advise women on hormone therapy. I would refer them back to their healthcare provider and also at the time, Emerita had the NDs on staff that acted as advisers. I would give them their website and toll-free number. Hormone therapy is too sensitive a subject for someone with no expertise on the subject to be playing with. However, MDs are not the only reliable resource out there.

 

[Jdarg]

My former OB/GYN n Louisville has written a book "The Venus Week" that many of you may find interesting.

I have known her for a long time, she delivered both of our kids, and I always was so impressed at how healthy and wonderful she looked and kept her life together through having her own children and a busy practice- always a source of inspiration.

I have heard this book has helpful info for those heading towards menopause, not just the gals still having the "Venus weeks"!


[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Venus-Week-Discover-Powerful-Cycle-at/dp/0738211648/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1210703258&sr=8-1"]Amazon.com: The Venus Week: Discover the Powerful Secret of Your Cycle...at Any Age: M.D. Rebecca Booth: Books[/ame]

 

[Teresa]

My former OB/GYN n Louisville has written a book "The Venus Week" that many of you may find interesting.

I have known her for a long time, she delivered both of our kids, and I always was so impressed at how healthy and wonderful she looked and kept her life together through having her own children and a busy practice- always a source of inspiration.

I have heard this book has helpful info for those heading towards menopause, not just the gals still having the "Venus weeks"!


http://www.amazon.com/Venus-Week-Di...=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1210703258&sr=8-1

well, I may be past the venus week phase, but she includes information for every life stage -- the book appears to have a comprehensive look at women's health and hormones for every phase of life, and includes some nutrition and recipes as well.

looks like an excellent resource jdarg - thanks!!!

 

[organicmama]

Why the hail do we only have 1 Venus week and 2 Minerva weeks???????????? That's not fair, but so dang true!!!! I will never look at my cycle the same....

Thanks, JDarg, now we have something else to laugh about in our version of the carpool line.

 

[30A Skunkape]

Toots, I totally agree with you. There are so many options out there that women need to be super-educated. For so long, medical research was done for the benefit of men, particulary men of European descent. Research related to cholesterol, high blood pressure, etc. was relevant only to a small segment of society because it didn't take into account all the various factors that go into a person's personal, cultural & ethnic history.

It's a pretty well-known fact that MDs education about drugs, both primary & secondary, is via the very pharmaceutical companies promoting & selling the products. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C02E4DD1E38F93BA25752C1A9659C8B63 That is only one article in the NY Times. I wanted to show that this knowledge is mainstream, not just some hippified hooey, as some would like the masses to believe.

This isn't any less dangerous than slick, anti-aging gurus, which, of course, are very much out there. Making MDs sound like un-biased demi-gods that know everything and can make their decisions without the prejudice of their background, which is by its very nature based on drugs and surgery, is why I am offering both sides of the coin, instead of just a one-sided version of the reality of today's health care system.

I don't believe that the mass-marketing of anything as a magic bullet is remotely worth believing. There is a skin care company that promotes it's own progesterone creme as the end all and be all... the solution for every woman. Their stance is: Get every woman on the progesterone creme & you will have a customer for life. Having uneducated consumers who don't know more than what the company is telling them, selling a product that contain precursers for very strong hormones is absolutely nuts.

Pharmaceutical companies are also looking for lifetime consumers of their products. That's why they keep coming out with new, slick drugs. If I ever consider taking a drug for restless leg syndrome, shoot my butt instead. A bit of relaxation would cure more than another drug to take in that instance.

Personally, I don't choose an OB/Gyn. I have seen them but find that a midwife meets my needs far more than an MD. I wish that the health care system was balanced enough that the same types of midwives that I would choose for my prenatal care were allowed to give me well-woman check-ups, but they aren't. So, my views on my health as a female don't come from a relationship with my MD.

When I worked in the natural health industry, I would not advise women on hormone therapy. I would refer them back to their healthcare provider and also at the time, Emerita had the NDs on staff that acted as advisers. I would give them their website and toll-free number. Hormone therapy is too sensitive a subject for someone with no expertise on the subject to be playing with. However, MDs are not the only reliable resource out there.

This isn't exactly true. Most of what allopaths and osteopaths learn about drugs occurs during a pharmacology course in med school. This is the foundation for countless hours spent in post graduate clinics and wards prescribing. Usually these settings serve the indigent so there isn't much time spent hobnobbing with drug reps discussing the latest and greatest anti-hypertensive over a filet mignon lunch. It is after all the training when the relentless drug rep solicitation begins. The article is right, they present lots of (usually biased) studies and slick marketing junk trying to justify the use of one pill for hypertension and heart failure that costs $125 per month when (and if one bothers to look) it has not been proven superior to any of three meds in the same class available for $4 a month at Wal-Mart. I subscribe to the Medical Letter, a non-profit newsletter that gives readers a heads up regarding the newest drugs hitting the market comparing them in efficacy and cost to those already available. Anyone can subscribe at themedicalletter.org.

By the way, you can kiss restless leg syndrome goodbye-the patent for Reliquip expired this week so the generics are on the way. No more marketing to make you aware of RLS:roll:

OK, back to your Venus and Minerva stuff:leaving:

 

[organicmama]

This isn't exactly true. Most of what allopaths and osteopaths learn about drugs occurs during a pharmacology course in med school. This is the foundation for countless hours spent in post graduate clinics and wards prescribing. Usually these settings serve the indigent so there isn't much time spent hobnobbing with drug reps discussing the latest and greatest anti-hypertensive over a filet mignon lunch. It is after all the training when the relentless drug rep solicitation begins. The article is right, they present lots of (usually biased) studies and slick marketing junk trying to justify the use of one pill for hypertension and heart failure that costs $125 per month when (and if one bothers to look) it has not been proven superior to any of three meds in the same class available for $4 a month at Wal-Mart. I subscribe to the Medical Letter, a non-profit newsletter that gives readers a heads up regarding the newest drugs hitting the market comparing them in efficacy and cost to those already available. Anyone can subscribe at themedicalletter.org.

By the way, you can kiss restless leg syndrome goodbye-the patent for Reliquip expired this week so the generics are on the way. No more marketing to make you aware of RLS:roll:

OK, back to your Venus and Minerva stuff:leaving:

Skunky, thanks for the info.

Glad I don't have to watch any more commercials that make me think my RLS is something I need to cure. I'll happily wiggle my legs to sleep each night or eventually get off coffee, my drug of choice.

 

[youngeryou]

Natural Hormone Therapy

Hi everyone,

Just want to drop a note on the benefits of hormone replacement therapy for men and women for the prevention of diseases and rejuvenation.
Natural Estrogens and Progesterone are tremendously important for the optimal function of all organs and systems. There is a wealth of published medical literature regarding the benefits of hormone replacement and the relation to the prevention of age related disease inclulding breast cancer, osteoporosis, dementia and heart disease. We age because of the decline of hormone levels. I strongly recommend measuring your levels in the urine or saliva to determine accurately the need of replacement. Blood levels are not a good source for measurement. For further information please visit our website and I will be happy to send information on this topic.

Rodney D. Soto, M.D.
www.yyinstitute.com

 

[organicmama]

Hi everyone,

Just want to drop a note on the benefits of hormone replacement therapy for men and women for the prevention of diseases and rejuvenation.
Natural Estrogens and Progesterone are tremendously important for the optimal function of all organs and systems. There is a wealth of published medical literature regarding the benefits of hormone replacement and the relation to the prevention of age related disease inclulding breast cancer, osteoporosis, dementia and heart disease. We age because of the decline of hormone levels. I strongly recommend measuring your levels in the urine or saliva to determine accurately the need of replacement. Blood levels are not a good source for measurement. For further information please visit our website and I will be happy to send information on this topic.

Rodney D. Soto, M.D.
www.yyinstitute.com

Mr. OM had the saliva tests for adrenals that showed his are extremely LOW & work pretty much opposite what they are supposed to (low in AM, drop to nil at around noon & jump up above normal at night). "Regular blood tests" showed none of this. Of course, health insurance did not pay for the test to be done because it's not part of their standard procedure. According to mainstream medicine, he's a healthy guy, covered with eczema from head to toe (all of 6'1" of him) & he's either gotta live in a bubble or take steroids for the rest of his life.....

 

[30A Skunkape]

Hi everyone,

Just want to drop a note on the benefits of hormone replacement therapy for men and women for the prevention of diseases and rejuvenation.
Natural Estrogens and Progesterone are tremendously important for the optimal function of all organs and systems. There is a wealth of published medical literature regarding the benefits of hormone replacement and the relation to the prevention of age related disease inclulding breast cancer, osteoporosis, dementia and heart disease. We age because of the decline of hormone levels. I strongly recommend measuring your levels in the urine or saliva to determine accurately the need of replacement. Blood levels are not a good source for measurement. For further information please visit our website and I will be happy to send information on this topic.

Rodney D. Soto, M.D.
www.yyinstitute.com

Are you an endocrinologist?