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Coming up this July, Dr. Marianne Marchese, leader in Naturopathic Women's Health and Phoenix Magazine's Top Doctor for 2010, will be hosting one of her most popular and highly attended talks,
Flashes! and Sweats! and Dryness! Oh my!
She will be discussing everything you need to know about Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Therapy, Menopause and Herbs.
Please RSVP for this event
Menopause and Bio-identical Hormones
By Marianne Marchese, ND
Author of 8 Weeks to Women’s Wellness: The Detoxification Plan for Breast Cancer, Endometriosis, Infertility and Other Women’s Health Conditions.
Menopause is a time of transition in a woman’s life. No two women enter into menopause the same and thus can not address the issues that arise with a one-size-fits-all treatment approach. Menopause is a normal part of the aging process that affects women in their 40’s and 50’s. The definition of menopause is the cessation of the menstrual cycle. It is not a disease condition, although is often thought of and treated as a disease. A woman becomes postmenopausal after going an entire year without a menstrual cycle. However, a woman may experience signs and symptoms of menopause years before the menstrual cycle actually stops.
Typical symptoms of menopause:
*Hot flashes
*Night sweats
*Insomnia
*Low libido
*Mood swings
*Vaginal dryness and pain with intercourse
*Hair falling out
*Joint pain
*Decreased memory and concentration
There are several treatment options available to women and as women become more educated about these options they often ask their physician which treatment is best for them. Most often it depends on a woman’s individual risk factors for breast cancer, heart attack, stroke and osteoporosis. Treatment options include bio-identical hormone therapy, botanical/herbal medicine, homeopathy, diet and nutrition, and nutritional supplements. Sometimes the best approach for managing symptoms is a combination or one or more treatments. Some physicians are not trained in all the possible treatment options and may not understand that some herbs interact with medications. A naturopathic physician is probably the best trained in all options available to women. www.naturopathic.org
What are bio-identical hormones?
For decades, women in the U.S. have been prescribed hormones for menopause. In 2001 all that changed with the release of the first large double-blind placebo controlled study on the use of hormones in post-menopausal women. This study was called The Women’s Health Initiative and showed that hormones use had a slight increase in breast cancer risk, stroke and heart attack. [1] However, this study was done using synthetic hormones. A very specific yet commonly prescribed formula of estrogens from horse urine, and synthetic progestins. This study was not done using bio-identical hormones which are very different.
Bioidentical hormones are compounds that have exactly the same chemical and molecular structure as human hormones. In contrast, non-bioidentical, or synthetic, hormones are structurally different from the hormones a woman’s ovary makes. [2] Bio-identical hormones are made both by conventional pharmaceutical companies and compounding pharmacies. The bio-identical hormones made by conventional pharmaceutical companies come with limitations in dosages, and control of additives and fillers. Compounding pharmacies can formulate estrogen plus progesterone pills and creams, estrogen only pills and creams, and can add other bio-identical hormones such as testosterone and DHEA as determined by the physician. The compounded hormones come with unlimited dosing options and the ability to titrate the dose up and down depending on how a woman responds. [2] It allows for more individualization of hormone therapy.
Are bio-identical hormones safer and more effective?
In theory yes they are. But in reality we are just beginning to see research that includes the use of bio-identical hormones. Remember, synthetic hormones were the main choice for hormone therapy in menopause for decades. After the publication of the Women’s health Initiative study, more and more women turned to bio-identical hormones and thus the research has followed. A recent study showed that a combination of bio-identical estradiol, estriol and progesterone has positive effects on symptoms and less risk of breast cancer and cardiovascular disease. [3] However, a study from 2009 showed an increase risk of ovarian cancer from the use of hormones in menopause regardless of the type of hormone used, (synthetic verses bio-identical), duration of use, or route of administration. [4]
Bio-identical formulas
A woman’s ovary in her younger years mostly produces estradiol (E2), progesterone and testosterone. Estriol (E3) is converted in the body from estriol. Estrone (E1) is the dominant hormone in menopause being converted from another hormone in a woman’s adipose tissue or fat. Most physicians no longer add Estrone to bio-identical hormones due to the slight increase risk of breast cancer from Estrone metabolites. So a formula typically consists of the two estrogens; estradiol and estriol. If a woman has a uterus she MUST have progesterone added to the formula to protect the uterus. Often times a doctor will add testosterone and DHEA as well. Keep in mind that bio-identical testosterone converts to estradiol thus increases the amount of estradiol and possible breast cancer risk. Bio-identical hormones formulation and prescribing can be confusing a woman should seek out a practitioner that has experience and training in order to formulate a product that is right for you.
Who is not a candidate for hormones?
*Personal or family history of breast cancer
*Personal history of ovarian or uterine cancer
*Known clotting disorder or history of blood clots
*Personal history of stroke or TIA (mini-stroke)
*Personal history of heart attack or high risk for heart disease
If you are not a good candidate for bio-identical hormones there are still plenty of options for treating the symptoms of menopause. These include herbal medicines, nutrients, amino acids, bio-flaviniods, homeopathic remedies, and of course diet and nutrition. The goal is to decrease the symptoms of menopause without causing any harmful side effects. At the same time protecting a woman from disease conditions common after menopause, such as osteoporosis, should be included in a comprehensive individualized treatment approach. Learn more at www.drmarchese.com
References
1. Rossouw JE, et al. Risks and benefits of estrogen plus progestin in healthy postmenopausal women: principal results From the Women's Health Initiative randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 2002;288(3):321-33.
2. Sood R, et al. Counseling Postmenopausal Women about Bioidentical Hormones: Ten Discussion Points for Practicing Physicians. JABFM. 2011;24:202-210.
3. Holtorf K. The bioidentical hormone debate: are bioidentical hormones (estradiol, estriol, and progesterone) safer or more efficacious than commonly used synthetic versions in hormone replacement therapy? Postgrad Med. 2009 Jan;121(1):73-85.
4. Mørch LS, et al. Hormone therapy and ovarian cancer. JAMA. 2009 Jul 15;302(3):298-305.
Take a Hike for Prostate Cancer
by Dr Psenka
A great study was published this June in the journal Cancer Research. This study looked at the relationship between exercise and the progression of prostate cancer. Previous research has already reported that vigorous activity reduces the risk of prostate cancer related mortality by 61%. There were 1455 men included in this new investigation, all of whom had biopsy-proven, non-metastatic prostate cancer. These men were given questionnaires covering the participants’ physical activity patterns. After a two-year time period the researchers found that the rate of prostate cancer progression was 57% lower among men who walked briskly 3 or more hours per week.
That’s worth repeating: A 57% reduction in prostate cancer progression from walking three hours per week!
This is just one more study showing that there are positive effects that can be had by incorporating exercise into a cancer treatment plan. Imagine a cancer therapy that could boost your immune system, inhibit cancer progression, and significantly reduce stress levels. Now imagine that this therapy didn’t cost anything. That’s exercise. No matter what a person’s exercise ability may be, there is always a way to begin receiving the many benefits of exercise.
