Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) – Know Before You Start!

Prior to 2002, Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) was recognized as the “go to” treatment for women experiencing the many symptoms of menopause after having a hysterectomy. Although still offered to women before and after hysterectomy surgery, there has been a sharp decline in the sale of estrogen and progestin hormone therapies since 2002. Side effects, bio-identical alternatives, and other holistic alternatives have prompted many doctors and women to seek other ways to assist menopausal women with their symptoms. The common menopausal symptoms that women seek a solution for include: hot flashes, difficulty losing weight, vaginal dryness, painful intercourse, constipation, bladder instability, anxiety and mental sluggishness. Although HRT is still widely used today, it is imperative that you know the following 5 things before starting hormone replacement therapy in your own life.

1.) Premarin (including Prempro, Premphase, Prempac, and Premelle) is a drug made up of conjugated estrogens obtained from the urine of pregnant mares and its name is derived from its origin: Pregnant Mares’ Urine (PREgnant MARes’ urINe). Premarin is an estrogen/progestin hormone replacement therapy that utilizes conjugated equine estrogens (CEEs) as active ingredients.

2.) The Journal of the American Medical Association (Vol. 288 No. 1, July 3, 2002) published a study on the effects of estrogen replacement therapy derived from conjugated equine estrogens and its effects on coronary heart disease (CHD). This study found that women on estrogen replacement therapy did not reduce their chances of coronary heart disease, but had an increased risk of CHD within the first year of use. Estrogen replacement has been shown to increase chances of deep vein thrombosis (blood clots in a vein) and pulmonary embolism (blot clot in the lungs).

3.) In The Archives of Internal Medicine (Vol. 165 No. 17, September 26, 2005), The Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) reported the results of another clinicaltrial of conjugated equine estrogens (CEEs), that involved 10,739 postmenopausal women with hysterectomy, aged 50 to 79 years. This study was stopped early “owing to lack of overall health benefit and increased risk of stroke.”

4.) It has been demonstrated through multiple studies that hormone replacement therapy increases the chance of cancer in the lungs, uterus, endometrium, and the ovaries. The New England Journal of Medicine (Vol.360 No. 6, February 5, 2009) concluded “The increased risk of breast cancer associated with the use of estrogen plus progestin declined markedly soon after discontinuation of combined hormone therapy [in the study] and was unrelated to changes in frequency of mammography.”

5.) There are natural alternatives to toxic and harmful drugs used as hormone replacement therapy that may help you with your female related symptoms. Whole food nutritional supplements (not chemical imitation supplements) that include mineral support such as calcium, magnesium, copper, manganese, iron, etc. often assist in hormone production. Increasing good fats through the diet and supplements such as cod liver oil, black currant seed oil, evening primrose oil, etc also assist in hormone production and provide the building blocks that your hormone system will need. Herbal tincture approaches often include chaste tree, withania, and licorice which stimulate hormonal activity. When minerals, healthy fats, and herbal tinctures do not provide the desired relief, phyto-hormone extracts are often successful. Phyto-based hormone alternatives are plant derived compounds that mimic the natural hormones your body should already be creating, and these are generally used after nutritional supplementation if your hormone imbalance remains symptomatic.

By working with a holistic doctor that encourages diet modifications, exercise, nutritional supplementation, and phyto-hormone approaches, many women often have amazing success in reducing the symptoms related to menopause without the side effects that come from traditional hormone replacement therapy. Always remember there are alternatives to your health and wellness goals. Contact us to schedule an appointment.