Hormone Replacement During & After Menopause
Selecting Conventional Therapy, Bio-Identicals or Foods
Jul 2, 2009
A lowered amount of estrogen in women accounts for the various maladies typically associated with menopause. These vary in intensity from woman to woman, but can include hot flashes, weight gain, loss of libido and confused thinking. Each of you must evaluate the choices and confer with your doctor in determining the best choice in your case.
Nutrients That Might Help
There are certain nutrients that may assist in alleviating some troublesome symptoms, particularly only mild occurrences. Christiane Northrup, M.D., in The Secret Pleasures of Menopause (Hay House, 2008), recommends trying the following nutrients:
- Omega 3 is used to formulate hormones in the body and is plentiful in fatty fish such as tuna and salmon. A supplement is also available.
- The much-touted cruciferous vegetables contain phytonutrients which assist the liver in flushing undesirable substances (i.e., artificial estrogen from pesticides).
- Magnesium helps in the breakdown of extra estrogen as well as easing stress. Rich sources are almonds, spinach, black beans, and dark chocolate.
- Vitamin D is involved in the synthesis and metabolism of hormones. Most of us do not get enough sun to enable our skin to produce it in sufficient quantities. If you take a vitamin/mineral supplement daily, some will be supplied in that pill. Cod liver oil is an excellent source
Notice that these foods already have a reputation for being healthy and many are recommended for their various protective characteristics.
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
The popular HRT solution to ease symptoms in menopausal women has come into question recently as to its safety, particularly regarding breast cancer risk and stroke.
Although approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HRT (and birth control pills) use progestin rather than progesterone. This is due to the fact that progesterone is a natural substance and cannot be patented. Its molecular structure was slightly altered to obtain a patent, making it profitable for the pharmaceutical industry to spend billions on research and keeping medical professionals informed.
Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT)
These are custom chemicals formulated as an alternative to conventional hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and claim to be identical to the hormones in a woman’s body (uses progesterone).
Recent research seems to indicate they may be at least as effective with lessened risks for heart disease and breast cancer. There are many users who are firmly committed to them, including Oprah.
However, questions still remain as to their being safer or better than HRT. Some pharmacies custom-formulate these to your doctor’s prescription. In these cases, the quality might not be consistent. Although not approved by the FDA, there are premade forms, i.e. sprays, lozenges and creams. You will want to look for the ingredient “progesterone” and a USP (U.S. Pharmacopoeia) seal. For the official stance on BHRT, go the FDA website and read "Bio-Identicals: Sorting Myths from Fact".
Select the Best Option for You
It is worth your while to be familiar with your choices and use only the absolute minimum amount of any hormone therapy for the shortest possible time. If your symptoms are mild, try using the nutrients mentioned or consult with a nutritionist. Count your blessings; after all, you no longer have to buy tampons.
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