More Confusing News for Women On Hormone Replacement Therapy
The latest follow-up studies on the WHI (The Women’s Health Initiative, which was abruptly ended in 2002 because of the participants increased risk of heart problems and cancer) are now reporting that women who previously used estrogen and progestin have an increased risk of developing cancer years after stopping their use. While their risk of developing heart problems diminishes over time, their risk of developing certain cancers increases. Then they go on to say that this information should not alarm women – and that those who are currently taking low doses of estrogen and progestin for a short amount of time should not change their protocol. Mmmm.
Perhaps we need to dig a little deeper?
What I’ve noticed is that the media never seem to mention that all the “studies” they refer to are reporting on the negative side effects of using SYNTHETIC estrogen and progesterone (known as progestin). What they commonly refer to as “estrogen” is really a pharmaceutical company’s synthetic version of the hormones that are produced naturally by your body.
It’s confusing because they call them by the same name!
Please don’t be duped into thinking they are one and the same. They are not. Estrogen, progesterone and testosterone (among others) are hormones produced naturally by our bodies. The pharmaceutical companies, in an attempt to own the patent and the profits, create slightly altered synthetic versions of our natural hormones and then offer them to doctors to prescribe to their female patients looking for relief from menopause symptoms. (Sweaty nights anyone?)
Unfortunately, using these altered forms of your natural hormones is like trying to use someone else’s key to open your front door. They don’t quite fit. Problems abound, as reported in the WHI study itself, as well as many of the follow-up studies. The upside is that through these various reports, we’ve learned that synthetic hormones can cause serious side effects for the woman using them (and, I might add, for the horses that supply them.) But that doesn’t mean ALL hormone-based therapies will cause similar problems.
What’s a woman to do?
I’ve discovered that there are more healthful alternatives, including bio-identical hormones. First, let me reiterate that I am not medically credentialed – I am simply a woman who needed answers and has done extensive reading and research on the topic of bio-identical hormone replacement (BHRT). Bio-identical hormones, while not human in origin, are chemically identical to the ones produced by your own body. Not close, not almost – identical! Because one cannot patent a natural product there hasn’t been much incentive to do research on the efficacy and safety of bio-identical hormones. No patent = no profits. Anecdotal evidence so far suggests they are safe, but as with anything, we must each do our homework and talk with a medical professional well versed on this option. Together, discuss whether bio-identical hormones are right for you.
If you make the decision to use bio-identical hormones, ask your doctor to run a saliva test, as these are proving more accurate than blood draws to assess hormone levels. Bi-est and Tri-est are 2 popular formulations of BHRT. This is not a one-dose-fits-all approach as each prescription is tailored to meet your specific needs. For most women, these bio-identical options do not cause weight gain, depression or bloating and alleviate many of the symptoms of menopause. In addition, they often contribute to a woman’s overall vitality and sense of wellbeing. I will personally testify to that!
After having your hormones levels assessed, a bio-identical hormone is prescribed by a doctor, produced in a lab and filled by a compounding pharmacy. You can take them in pill, gel or cream form. I’ve chosen to use the gel or cream, which I simply rub onto my skin. By doing so, they bypass the liver and digestive system, making smaller doses more effective.
There are also many other healthful options, including acupuncture, homeopathy, tinctures, infusions, teas and herbal supplements and creams. Every woman is unique and we must all find what is best for us. The good news is that there is more information available than ever before to help us make informed choices. I encourage you to do your research and look beyond the synthetics. Your health could depend on it!
March 25th, 2008 at 7:30 am
Hi Maggie,
I found your blog via Sue’s My Menopause Blog. I answered over there, but after reading your very in-depth article over here, I just wanted to add that a really informative article about HRT and BHRT (especially for absolute beginners) can be found here: http://www.womentowomen.com/bioidentical-hrt/default.aspx. Your blog entry and the article over at women to women fit nicely together.
March 25th, 2008 at 7:58 am
Thank you for you input. As women we need to be accountable for our bodies and support them healthfully as we transition through menopause. There are resources everywhere these days (and aren’t we glad about that!). I appreciate you sharing yours.
March 30th, 2008 at 1:17 am
[…] admin placed an observative post today on More Confusing News for Women On Hormone Replacement TherapyHere’s a quick excerptThe pharmaceutical companies, in an attempt to own the patent and the profits, create slightly altered synthetic versions of our natural hormones and then offer them to doctors to prescribe to their female patients looking for relief … […]
June 15th, 2008 at 7:23 pm
Well… I’m confused. Not about bioidentical vs. synthetic but about why we are taking these at all? And I say this after having just started progesterone cream myself AFTER my body falling to pieces about 18 months ago and me basically most of the last 1 1/2 years in bed. Let’s just say perimenopause hit at the same time as a family tragedy and my adrenals couldn’t handle both shocks.
Anyway – I don’t like the idea of pretending my body isn’t lowering it’s hormone levels when, obviously, it is. I am a firm believer that you can’t fool mother nature, and, bio-identical or not, our hormone levels are meant to be decreasing at this age. So do people stay on these for life? I keep hearing that it just helps with the “transition”. It seems to me like it would stop the transition, would it not? And then – well we have to go through it sometime (or I do, since like I said I have never observed that we get ahead by trying to fool mother nature)!
I finally started because my ND said that since perimenopause hit when my body was compromised anyway, I should consider taking them for a few months until I get my system built back up. Hmmm… I’m suspicious of how long that few months will turn out to me.
Thoughts anyone?
June 16th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
Hi Sue,
Thanks for your comments and questions. You’ve hit on a common concern -” why should we take ANY form of hormone replacement?” Unfortunately, no one really has a definitive answer.
From my reading and research (I am not medically credentialed) I have learned that our hormones serve as the “juice” that regulates our metabolic process by communicating between cells, allowing them to produce the substances and energy needed to sustain life. Lower levels of hormones = less “juice”. Our level of hormones are impacted by heredity, diet, lifestyle and stress levels. Without them, our bodies are unable to function properly. There has been much written to suggest that loss of hormones and “aging” are almost one and the same.
It seems that balancing and replenishing our hormones (with the bio-identical variety) contributes to our overall vitality and can help prevent disease. The same cannot be said for the synthetic versions. I have a chapter in my book, “Amazing Grays,” titled ‘Why Are Hormones So Darned Important?’ I write about the fact that there is controversy in the medical community about whether to replenish these so called “minor hormones” – and the likely consequences of not doing so. Perhaps we didn’t need to supplement them when we lived shorter lives in a less stressful environment without the continuous chemical assaults on our bodies?
Do we use them for life? That is a question yet to be answered. I found they are critical components of my own health and well-being. Every woman’s body is unique and there is no magic bullet. We all have to listen to our bodies, do our research and talk to health care professionals who are up on the latest in hormone replacement. (PS: You might also ask your ND about using a glandular supplement called Drenamin (by Standard Process) to help rebuild your adrenals. )
I’d love to hear others thoughts on this complicated issue as well.
December 20th, 2008 at 2:42 am
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October 12th, 2011 at 9:00 am
feels like the subject matter of discussion between me and a close friend earlier this week. The crazy thing is none of us had the vision to approach things in the current standpoint. I am going to e mail her a web link for this blog post to see what she thinks.