Dr Chen not only specializes in hormone balance, she specializes in nutrition as well.

720-A Capitola Ave.
Capitola CA 95010
831-462-6013
www.balancedapproaches.com

BodylogicMD

This is a respected group of doctors, with doctors in many locations around the country, most recently expanding into Northern California.  They are featured as an expert on Oprah.com and their website has a plethora of information on bioidentical hormones that I found to be really helpful.

This book has a special place on my bookshelf, the bookshelf nearest my desk, I might add.  It is dog-eared and tired looking and It has more than thirty tabs sticking out of it marking the places that I draw much of the information  that I share with other women. The reason this book is so helpful is that it ‘s author does a great job of outlining the symptoms of imbalance with all the pieces of the hormone puzzle, throughout all of the different phases of life.  It is easy to understand and easy to identify where your particular situation fits.

Meet Dr. Uzzi Reiss – A video from his website that I encourage you to visit

www.uzzireissmd.com

The author addresses the differences between natural hormone and synthetic hormones, which is an important discussion, especially if you are new to the conversation. Additionally, the author clarifies the many approaches to replacement (i.e patches, gels, creams, pellets, pills etc.) along with benefits and differences.

This book offers several compelling charts that “dumb it down” for the average person trying to understand the endocrine system, which, in reality is complicated at best.

There are two areas of this book that I think are very useful in understanding the safety and effectiveness of natural hormone replacement therapy.

The first is in the very beginning of the book where the authors make an important point that I think is worth repeating. They suggest that it is just as important to balance your blood sugar and get your stress level under control, as it is to get sex hormones in balance.  In other words it won’t do you much good to address sex hormone imbalance if Insulin and Cortisol are off the chart. Yes, insulin and cortisol  are hormones too, and most people who are eating the western diet, ingesting a lot of simple carbohydrates and living a high stress life style are suffering from imbalances with these two powerful master hormones.

Not much time is spent on the subject of diet and nutrition but this chapter was placed at the front of the book implying that it is an important consideration in the overall scheme of things.

The second section I want to point out is Chapter Twenty-Three where the author address the confusion and fear about hormones and breast cancer. My only complaint is that they put this in the back of the book and not in the front.

“If you listen to media pundits and so-called experts, you begin to believe that hormones are carcinogens and that estrogen is on trial. “

“Your hormones, I assure you are not agents of self-destruction programmed to eradicate you. “

This is a direct quote from a pioneering gynecologist and anti aging specialist with a successful long-term practice and is the author of several books on this subject including this one.  In a nutshell, he says the evidence based on the research does not show that estrogen increases the chances for aggressive breast cancer and that there is evidence that progesterone and other hormones have a strong protective effect against cancer.

The author goes on to explain the history of hormone replacement, the role of the pharmaceutical industry and the media. Both the drug companies and the media have a profit motive and it goes like this:

First, in order to patent a natural substance you have to change it by adding something to it. It is then considered a drug which you can patent and protect the right to sell it for a profit. Hormones are natural substances.

Since there is money to be made from the “chemicalized pharmaceutical substitutes”, research is funded by the companies that stand to profit from the “drug”  understandably so.

In this case the “drug” research pointed to problems, (one of the major research programs was in fact discontinued) the natural substances took the rap along with the drugs which were not at all the same things.

Because no one stands to make a profit on a natural substance that they can not patent and the application of the use of natural hormones is not standardized (one size fits all) nobody is kicking down the cash to research natural hormones thus leaving a massive amount of miss information out their for the public to figure out for themselves.

So here is my simple analogy: it would be like if a water company added a little something special to their bottled water so they could patent it and sell it exclusively. Then later it was discovered that the bottled water product caused cancer so everyone freaked out and said “water causes cancer.”

But because no one benefits from studying water the misinformation just stays uncorrected. – Ridiculous right?

Wait it gets better, the media plays a role in all of this, and this is not coming from the book, this is coming from me, a person who has spent more than two decades working on different national magazines and understands the advertising game. The way this point became crystallized for me was, last year Newsweek Magazine ran an article trashing Oprah and Suzanne Somers for encouraging women to consider Bio Identical Hormones based on their homework and their personal experience, much like my self. As I read the article which was more of a personal attach on these women than an effort to offer solutions, it dawned on me that the first four pages of the print version of the magazine that week was a four page spread from a drug company. I investigated and found out that those pages cost approximately forty thousand dollars each. I can not know if it was conscious and I am not against the drug companies in general but the question that came to my mind was this:

What if natural hormones were to keep the baby boomer generation of women, millions of us that have been trained to take “a pill for every ill” from needing sleeping medication, anti depressants, osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s, heart, and arthritis medications? What would that cost the pharmaceutical companies and in turn the media companies? Wow – something to think about. I had already started BHRT and was feeling better than I had in years but that awareness made me feel even better about my decision.

Here is my mantra, It is not what happens to you, it is what you do with what happens to you that matters.

Do your homework, get educated, find a good doctor who specializes in anti aging medicine and make a decision that you are going to age with grace, this is my philosophy. As always your comments are appreciated. The following are some resources I am personally familiar with:

BodylogicMD

This is a respected group of doctors, with doctors in many locations around the country, most recently expanding into Northern California.  They are featured as an expert on Oprah.com and their website has a plethora of information on bioidentical hormones that I found to be really helpful.

Dr. Yun-Ching Chen M.D.

Dr Chen not only specializes in hormone balance, she specializes in nutrition as well.  You can find Dr. Chen at www.balancedapproaches.com

I would stay away from any doctor who doesn’t feel a need for testing prior to treatment or from doctors who demand large fees prior to even seeing you. I have checked out several doctors and doctors groups and I have, unfortunately met up with both of these experiences. Hormone balance is not only unique to each person; it is seams to be  a moving target for individuals especially during peri menopause.  Finding a skilled doctor has been really important in my experience.

For information on this topic see www.bioidenticalhormonereplacement.net

Technorati Tags: Alzheimer’s, anti depressants, arthritis medications, Cortisol, heart, hormone, hormone replacement, Insulin, M.D., Natural Hormone Balance, osteoporosis, sex hormones, sleeping medication, Uzzi Reiss

I’ve seen a lot of people going their own way at midlife after what many from outside looking in thought to be successful long-term marriages.

I couldn’t help but wonder if was just happening in my world or if this was a common occurrence. I looked it up and sure enough the statistics show a trend.

According to the United State’s most recent census (2000), the age groups that are experiencing the highest rate of divorce are women and men between the ages of 45 and 54 years old.  Approximately 18% of women and almost 15% of men in that age group are divorced.  Additionally, 3.1% of women and 2.4% of men in that age group are separated.  The second highest rate of divorce and separation is actually a tie for the age groups just a bit a older (55-64) and just a bit younger at 35 to 44. Statistics in the U.K. and Canada reflect a similar trend.

Why does this happen?  Is it the empty nest thing? Is it boredom or the classic midlife crisis? Or is it possible that hormones or the lack of hormones are behind these big life shifts? What turns lovers into roommates?

Some would point to a depolarization of feminine and masculine energy.  Tony Robbins speaks about this at his events and covers it in his programs on relationships.  What am I talking about you ask; basically it is the “opposites attract” kind of thing. Masculine and Feminine are polar opposites and when two people in a relationship are expressing the same energy pattern it causes depolarization.

Here is a quick rundown of the differences:

Masculine Energy is:

Logical

Action orientated

Direct

Focused

Active

Powerful and dominant

Values rational

Stimulated by challenge

Feminine Energy is:

Vague

Intuitive

Receptive

Passive

Radiant

Loving and spontaneous

Attaches meaning to feelings and subtle communication

Stimulated by praise

More On Polarity

These polarities are what create the passion in a romantic relationship and when depolarization sets in, well It can feel like roommates instead of lovers. There are many things that can cause depolarization but my focus today is on hormones and how they might affect this very basic level of behavior and personality.  How can the loss or decline of hormones for both men and women not be at least partially to blame?

When you look at the symptoms of estrogen deficiency, here is a list of a few taken from Dr. Uzzi Reiss Natural Hormone Balance book.

Depression

Mood changes

Fatigue

Decrease sense of sexuality and sexuality – loss of pride in appearance and body.

Lessened self-image and attention to appearance

Dry, eyes, skin and vagina

Loss of skin radiance

Sagging breast and a loss of fullness

Pain with sexual activity

Weight gain

Increase of back and joint pain

Headaches and migraines

Bloating

Not very sexy and this is just a lack of estrogen, most women run low on testosterone by age 50 and testosterone is what puts the “drive” in sex drive.

For men it is almost as ugly, according to my favorite book on Testosterone, The Testosterone Syndrome by Eugene Shippen M.D and William Fryer this is what a decline in testosterone looks like:

Nervousness

Irritability

Depression

Antisocial tendencies

Increase frequency of urination

Fatigue

Diminution of Libido

Decreased erections

This is not the full list but I think you get the picture.

I am really glad my husband joined me in getting his hormones checked last summer. Our Doctor says we are an “ecosystem” and I believe her. This past year has been challenging in many ways but the relationship is strong and I think hormone replacement has played a role in our attitudes about meeting challenges and about each other. For information on BHRT Bioidentical Hormone Replacement, check out the resources listed below.

Do your homework and get educated, find a good doctor who specializes in anti aging medicine and make a decision that you are going to age with grace, this is my philosophy. As always your comments are appreciated.

BodylogicMD

This is a respected group of doctors, with doctors in many locations around the country, most recently expanding into Northern California.  They are featured as an expert on Oprah.com and their website has a plethora of information on bioidentical hormones that I found to be really helpful.

Dr. Yun-Ching Chen M.D.

Dr Chen not only specializes in hormone balance, she specializes in nutrition as well.  You can find Dr. Chen at www.balancedapproaches.com

I would stay away from any doctor who doesn’t feel a need for testing prior to treatment or from doctors who demand large fees prior to even seeing you. I have checked out several doctors and doctors groups and I have, unfortunately met up with both of these experiences. Hormone balance is not only unique to each person; it is seams to be  a moving target for individuals especially during peri menopause.  Finding a skilled doctor has been really important in my experience.

For information on this topic see www.bioidenticalhormonereplacement.net

Other Blogs On This Subject

Ten Ways to Age like a French Woman

If there is a secret to aging well, Frenchwomen must know it. At least that’s what non-French women think. We look at actresses like Juliette Binoche, 46, or politicians like Ségolène Royal, 56, or superstars like Catherine Deneuve, 66, and figure that they must have special insights into the “maturation” process. So says the New York Times, which then goes on to list the top ten ways they achieve that “youthful” look.  read more

Do hormones affect behavior?

Endocrine functions and hormones interact with every other organ system in the human body. Individuals whose hormone levels are abnormal, either due to oversecretion or undersecretion of a particular hormone, will show signs of abnormal behavior and illness. Children whose sex hormones are produced at an early age, for example, may demonstrate aggressive and assertive behavior in addition to the physical characteristics of maturation. In adults, changes in hormonal levels may have significant effects on intellectual capabilities, memory, learning, and emotional states.

read more

Divorce for Women After Midlife

In spite of widespread interest in both aging and divorce, relatively little research has joined these topics. This study used data from the U.S. Census, Vital Statistics, and Current Population Survey to determine current divorce patterns for women aged 40 +, project marriage and divorce experiences of future cohorts of elderly women, and consider the socioeconomic correlates of divorce for middle-aged and older women. Given current marriage, divorce, and widowhood rates, the findings indicate a marked decline in the proportion of future elderly women who will be married or widowed, and a dramatic increase in the proportion who will be divorced. read more

Newsweek Attack – Huh? The Truth About Bioidentical Hormones vs. Synthetic

by Suzanne Somers

For years women have been offered what has been known as ‘hormones’ but are really horse’s urine whereby the molecular structure has been altered to produce a synthetic harmful chemical that has now been proven to have killed many women. So it’s difficult to understand why I am on the receiving end of pharmaceutical attacks. I am simply speaking out on behalf of natural hormones that have never harmed anyone. Natural ‘bioidentical’ hormones allow women and men to feel great, sometimes better than they ever have in their lives and the health benefits are tremendous. So who is off track here? read more

Technorati Tags: BHRT, Bioidentical, divorce, feminine, Hormonal Decline, hormone replacement, hormones, libido, masculine, midlife, natural hormones, opposites attract, passion, Polarity, relationships, romantic, Tony Robbins

A recent article titled The Estrogen Dilemma written by Cynthia Gorney, a contributing writer to the New York Times Magazine was published on April 12, 2010. It is worth reading and brings up an important distinction that I have heard from my own doctor, and want to share with you. According to new research there is a window of opportunity for Estrogen Therapy, especially when it comes to brain health. 

 This article discusses the updated research that presents evidence that estrogen keeps the mind as well as the heart healthy, helping to prevent diseases like Alzheimer’s and heart disease. 

One of the most interesting points made is that the key is in the timing, summed up it says that estrogen can bring benefits to a woman who starts replacement in her fifties but could have the opposite effect ten years later.  In other words, adding estrogen to a healthy body can heal, but taking estrogen when the body is already tired and unhealthy will not replenish or strengthen the woman’s body.  

Additionally the researchers found that estrogen has had a tremendous influence against heart disease in women. One doctor interviewed in the article stated, “Heart disease ultimately kills many more women than all cancers combined, some doctors had also taken to urging older women, even those past menopause to start hormones for cardiac health purpose.”

Why Traditional Doctors Tend to Shy Away

from Bioidentical Hormone Replacment 

I was able to ignore the hot flashes, the sleeplessness and the anxiety but when I couldn’t hold on to a thought long enough to finish a sentence, I thought I was loosing my mind, apparently I wasn’t far from the truth! That was when I decided I had to do something about my hormones.

Here is a partial list of estrogen deficiency symptoms according to Dr. Uzzi Reiss M.D./O.B. GYN. book  Natural Hormone Balance for Women. If you do not have this book, I suggest you get it. Not only will it help you  understand what is happening to you, it helps me stay in balance by recognizing what the diffent symptoms mean with regard to hormone fluxuation.

Here are some signs of a lack of estrogen:

Mental fogginess

Forgetfulness

Depression

Minor anxiety

Mood change

Difficulty falling asleep

Hot Flashes

Night sweats

Dryness

Weight Gain

Headaches and Migraines

Gastrointestinal discomfort

Temperature Swings

Daylong fatigue

Reduced Stamina

Decreased sense of sexuality/sensuality

Lessened self image and attention to appearance

In my experience, as a woman who has chosen to replace hormones to acheive hormone balance with bioidentical creams prescribed by a doctor who specializes in this treatment and the writer of this blog, the question that most women are asking me is; how and where can they get prescribed bioidentical hormones? 

Here are two sources I know to specialize in this area of treatment.
 
Dr. Yun-Ching Chen M.D.
 
Dr Chen not only specializes in hormone balance, she specializes in nutrition as well.  You can find Dr. Chen at www.balancedapproaches.com
 
 

BodylogicMD
This is a respected group of doctors, with doctors in many locations around the country, most recently expanding into Northern California.  They are featured as an expert on Oprah.com and their website has a plethora of information on bioidentical hormones that I found to be really helpful.

If you know of someone that you have had a positive experience with please share your information with others by adding a comment to this page. 

For more information on this topic visit my homepage at www.bioidenticalhormonereplacement.net

Technorati Tags: Alzheimer’s, bioidnetical, estrogen, heart disease, hormone, Hot Flashes, Mental fogginess, Night sweats, replacemnt, therapy

One of the things I hear a lot about from women my age is that they are suffering from headaches on a more frequent basis.

I had my first migraine at 48 years old and I thought I was having a stroke, I went to the emergency room and they ruled out the stroke thank goodness but told me I was having a “complicated migraine”. The emergency room doctor named several possible reasons for the onset of migraines, one of them being hormone fluctuations during perimenopause another possibility, dehydration. I decided to read up on what might be causing the headaches as it relates to hormones.

According to Dr Uzzi Reiss M.D. O.B. GYN. In his book Natural Hormone Balance he list headaches and migraines as a symptom of low estrogen. I like Dr. Reiss’ book because he outlines the symptoms of each hormone with regard to deficiency and dominance, making it really easy to read and understand.

Was it dehydration or was it some weird fluctuation with estrogen? This is where I return to my mantra; “Get Educated and Get a Doctor That Specializes in Hormone Balance”. Suzanne Somers said “Going to a regular doctor for hormone help is like going to a plumber to have your car worked on,” or something along those lines … the point is, with out the right kind of help, navigating this life transition can be really tricky and there really is no need to suffer when there are solutions available.

I am not a doctor and I don’t play one on TV (like the commercial says) but I can suggest a few resources that I have either seen myself, have heard positive reports from others or have had positive experiences with in my research for this blog.

BodylogicMD

This is a respected group of doctors, with doctors in many locations around the country, most recently expanding into Northern California.  They are featured as an expert on Oprah.com and their website has a plethora of information on bioidentical hormones that I found to be really helpful.

Dr. Yun-Ching Chen M.D.

Dr Chen not only specializes in hormone balance, she specializes in nutrition as well.  You can find Dr. Chen at www.balancedapproaches.com

I would stay away from any doctor who doesn’t feel a need for testing prior to treatment or from doctors who demand large fees prior to even seeing you. I have checked out several doctors and doctors groups and I have, unfortunately met up with both of these experiences. Hormone balance is not only unique to each person; it is seams to be  a moving target for individuals especially during peri menopause.  Finding a skilled doctor has been really important in my experience.

For imformation on this topic see www.bioidenticalhormonereplacement.net

Technorati Tags: bodylogicmd, Dr Chen, Dr Uzzi Reiss, estrogen, Headaches, Hormone imbalance, hormones, Menopause, Oprah, perimenopause, Suzanne Somers, symptom

A Book Review:

This was the first book I read on the subject of hormone replacement.  My doctor recommended it and it was well worth the few dollars it cost me.

I will start off by saying that it really made me think.  This book has a definite tone of 60’s rebellion to it.  Sometimes rebellion is a good thing, in this case I think it is. I am so glad to read the work of people who are committed to finding answers to womens health issues. It seems like everythime I turn around, one of my friends is being prescribed an anti depressant or a sleep aid or some other “symptom-fixer” when the real problem is hormone decline.

I believe that If men lost 98% of there testosterone over a 2 to 3 year time period at mid life they would have had it handled by now. But because drug companies make a lot of money off of women and all the symptoms that come up with the loss of hormons I can’t help but feel a bit cynical.

T.S Wiley is not a doctor but a smart women who has an extensive background in anthropology. She seems to have ruffled the feathers of some members of the medical community and I can see why. She basically makes some pretty radical points when it comes to the way women have been directed, redirected and I would even say misdirected when it comes to hormone health.  She then puts forth a theory and a protocol of natural hormone replacement that is based on Biomimetic Hormone Restoration Therapy using natural chemically identical hormones like the ones your body makes. In other words replacing hormones not only with the exact substance that is missing but in the rhythm and amounts that they occur naturally.

This book made a lot of sense to me and after reading several books on this subject this is the method of hormone replacement I ended up choosing for myself, I have a doctor that is recommended on the Wiley site and I have been really happy with the results. I would also suggest the website www.thewileyprotocol.com for more information. In a world full of “wishy-washy” on this topic,  Wiley and company have a clear opinion on the subject of hormone replacement therapy and they offer solutions as well.

As always, my intention is to be a resource as I am not an authority, simply a woman who was looking for her own answers and decided to share what I found. I strongly believe that health is important and finding the right health care professional is a key element in the hormone replacement journey. Education is also key, ultimately every person should make health decision that feel comfortable.

For more information on this subject please visit the homepage at http://bioidenticalhormonereplacement.net/

Technorati Tags: Biomimetic Hormone Restoration Therapy, hormone replacement, hormone replacement therapy, hormones, T.S Wiley

Hormone Replacement Therapy is Controversial: No Doubt About It

To say that hormone replacement therapy is controversial is a vast understatement, largely due to a plethora of contradictory information.

In case you missed it, Newsweek recently launched a pretty vicious attack on Oprah and friends.  Coming after for among other things, her recent public admission to using Bio identical Hormone Replacement Therapy.  I want to point out a little something that I noticed about that particular issue of Newsweek – the inside front cover of this very same issue of Newsweek has a three page ad for Enbrel. Enbrel is a drug made and sold by a company named Wyeth.  Why is this relevant? Wyeth also happens to be the maker of Premerin and Prempro – the synthetic hormone replacement drug of choice for several decades and the reason many believe for the dangerous side effects associated with HRT (hormone replacement therapy). According to Newsweek’s Media kit a full page four color ad cost $145,745 so triple that and add a few bucks for being on the inside front cover. A half a million dollars might have some influence on their standpoint.

Powerful voices such as Oprah Winfrey’s, Suzanne Sommers and Robin McGraw are threatening the status quo and the status quo doesn’t like it. A point made by traditional doctors and the pharmaceutical companies is that “bio identical” doesn’t make it is safe, It needs to be tested. This is the crux of the issue.  Every woman is different and the testing can’t be truly standardized because dosing is unique to each and every individual woman who uses BHRT. Another factor and even bigger hurdle to studies is the fact that bio identical hormones occur naturally and cannot be patented so there are few with a financial interest in providing the trials.  The good news is that the delivery system (how you receive the hormones) can be patented and several companies have jumped on the bandwagon with protocols and patches and I believe this is a good thing.

I’ve come to the conclusion that the decision to replaced or not to replace  is one of those things you need to do your research and get educated for yourself and then make the decision that is right for you. I have been reading like a wild woman and I am happy to report that I have found a doctor that I like and have faith in. She is an internist who specializes in Bio identical Hormone replacement Therapy for both men and women, she also specializes in nutrition and is equally important to long term health and well being. Finding the right doctor is an important factor in this process.
If you are in Northern California I can recommend Dr Chen, she is professional and thorough. After a full hour, reviewing my health history as well as my current menopause symptoms, She explained what happens to the female cycle as it ages and she described the consequences of the loss of hormones on the female body.
She spelled out several ways of dealing with a rapid decline in hormones and the ensuing imbalance. She described in detail the history of HRT. She compared the procedures, patterns, consequences and history of synthetics HRT with static protocol replacement to bioidentical HRT with Biomimetic Dosing (a protocol that mimics the natural rhythm of a woman’s youth such as the Wiley Protocol. She then explained the choice and consequences of doing nothing. She was matter of fact and allowed me to draw my own conclusions and she encouraged me to read several books which I have since read and will be posting book reviews to this site.

Based on my research and the results of my blood work, I have decided to replace with natural hormones and follow the natural rhythm.  For more information about Bioidentical Hormone Replacement please check out our home page at www.bioidenticalhormonereplacement.net

Additional Blogs Worth Reading

Bio Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy – What Is Bio Identical 

Bio-identical hormones are developed in a lab to produce an exact match for the hormone being replaced.  

Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy for Hot Flashes

"Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy for Hot Flashes and Sleep"  

Arriving Valentine’s Day 2010 « Stay Young & Sexy

It’s been more than a decade since Dr. Jonathan Wright introduced the concept of bio-identical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) with the book Natural Hormone Replacement for Women Over 45 (Wright JVW, Morgenthaler J. Smart .  

Everything You Need to Know About Bio-Identical Hormone

An interview about bio-identical estradiol & progesterone in topical cream preparations dosed to mimic the natural hormones produced by a twenty year-old woman.  

Technorati Tags: BHRT, Bio identical Hormone Replacement Therapy, Controversial, hormone replacement therapy, Newsweek, Oprah, Oprah Winfrey's, Robin McGraw, Suzanne Sommers

I am amazed at how important Estrogen is to a woman’s body. According to Elizabeth Vliet, M.D. author of Screaming To Be Heard, there are over 400 functions in the female body where estrogen is directly involved.

It protects women from heart disease and stroke and is central to bone and brain health. It is the substance that keeps collagen present in the skin creating elasticity and the ability to hold moisture thus Estrogen gives skin a youthful appearance and healthy mucus membranes.

Estrogen, specifically estradiol, effects brain chemistry, energy levels, a woman’s moods, sleep patterns and quality of sleep and a whole lot more. Estrogen is an amazing substance and by the time a woman stops having her period (menopause) she has about as much estrogen as the average man!

So why is it that less than 20% of woman in the US replace hormones? The authors and doctors who specialize in hormone replacement who have written books on the subject all point to the exaggerated focus on the increased risk of breast cancer.  This too scared me when I first heard about bio identical hormone replacement therapy. I am glad that I kept reading because this is what I have learned since then.

Death Rates without hormone replacement statistics:
1.  Rates of death  for women 55 and older – 48% Stroke and Heart Disease
2.  Rates of death for women 55 and older – 1.5% Breast Cancer
3.  Rates of death for women 55 and older – 22.5% Other Cancers
4.  Rates of death for women 55 and older – 28% All other causes
 
Changes in death rates with women who use hormone (Estrogen) replacement
The Benefit 30-40% reduction in deaths due to Stroke and Heart Disease
The Risk – 0.15 % new cancer deaths. Most of the studies regarding cancer and estrogen are based on the use of synthetic estrogen. 

In other words,  a woman takes a slight risk with cancer but she gets a major risk reduction in the occurrence of cardiovascular disease (Heart disease and stroke).
Personal and family health histories are important factors when making these kinds of decisions and as always I suggest you find a good doctor that is well informed about bioidentical hormone replacement therapy.

For more information on bioidentical hormone replacement visit our home page at
www.bioidenticalhormonereplacement.net

Other Blogs of interest

Women’s Hormonal Imbalance – Menopause, Estrogen, Hot Flashes 

Many women around the world have been associated with various herbs for menopause and to improve their health for thousands of years. Natural Herbs for women ’s health are used, extremely safe and effective. Read more…

Role of Estrogen Supported in Colorectal Cancer Survival 

The finding that younger women with metastatic colorectal cancer (MCRC) survive longer than younger men, which is not seen in older patients supports the idea that estrogen may play a role in improved outcomes in the disease, according to research published online Sept. 29 in Clinical Cancer Research.  Read more…

New Research Findings Two: Nine Ways to Reduce the Risk 

In 2003, the Women`s Health Initiative Study (WHI) showed a 24% increased risk of breast cancer for women using synthetic HRT such as Provera. This was followed closely by the British Million Women Study, which showed a 66% increased … Chlebowski RT, Kuller LH, Prentice RL, "Breast Cancer after Use of Estrogen plus Progestin in Postmenopausal Women," NEJM Vol 360:573-587 February 5, 2009. Fournier et al, "Use of different postmenopausal hormone therapies and risk  Read more…

Hormonal Balance is the Key to Vibrant Health for Women

Dr. John Lee, pioneer researcher of women`s hormones, believed that this feature of estriol means it is highly protective of the DNA blueprint, otherwise our species would not have been successful. Pre-menopausal women who are still producing an adequate amount of estrogen can often regain hormonal balance simply by buying a tube of progesterone cream at a health food store or online health retailer, and applying it as directed for the second 15 days of the month.   Read more…

Women’s Hormone Therapy: Benefits vs. Risks 

Estrogen deficiency and imbalances that occur at menopause can seriously undermine women’s health and quality of life and should not be left untreated.   Read more…

Women’s Health Initiative (whi): Medical Community Undermines Itself

Even though estrogen might cause heart disease, pulmonary embolism, stroke, and breast cancer, the women’s health initiative did not have the statistically significant evidence to prove it. Once again media published conclusions disrupted the therapy regime of millions of patients as well as their confidence in their physicians.   Read more…

Hormone Research Review: Estrogen Dominance: It’s Not Just a Theory

Women’s health issues are caused largely by "Estrogen dominance" where estrogen / progesterone balance is lost due to too much estrogen, too little progesterone or both. Correcting this imbalance using bio-identical (as opposed to fake) progesterone and nutritional supplements will correct or prevent most of the problems such as PMS and pre and post menopausal discomfort and health crisis.   Read more…

Rebecca Booth, MD: What Would Happen if Men Lost their 

Yes, estrogen, testosterone and progesterone elevate feel good chemicals (neurotransmitters)in the brain such as dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins. When these magic molecules depart, they are sorely missed by the brain… a mini withdrawal can ensue that feels like we’re being ….. I am surprised you mention the Women"s Health Initiative, since I consider it a major blot on your profession, resulting in untold suffering from the use of non-bio-identical hormones. …   Read more…

Women’s Health And Weight Loss Tip 2

Women’s health and weight loss tip 2 the importance of calcium in a woman s diet. recently i published an article about the importance of exercise in fighting against the bone-brittling disease osteoporosis.    Read more…

Bioidentical Hormones; An Alternative to Premarin

Bioidentical hormones; An Alternative to Premarin. The problem with conjugated estrogen products like Premarin is that it not only contains human-like hormones, they may also contain other hormones that are unlike human estrogens, like horse hormones. Many medical experts question if our bodies really know what to do with these equine estrogens. It is thought that some of the ill effects sometimes experienced by women taking Premarin, such as migraine and fatigue, are caused by these horse hormones.   Read more…

Women’s Sexual Desire – A Natural Way to Boost Sex Drive

There are two key chemicals all women need and there estrogen and testosterone; if either are not produced in sufficient amounts, desire will fall and intercourse can become uncomfortable.  Read more…

Technorati Tags: breast cancer, collagen, Elizabeth Vliet, estradiol, estrogen, heart disease, hormone replacement, M.D., Menopause, replace hormones, Screaming To Be Heard, Stroke and Heart Disease, Women

Testosterone

Symptoms of Excess and Deficiency 

Based on the book Natural Hormone Balance for Women by,  Dr. Uzzi Reiss, M.D. / O.B. GYN.   A doctor who specializes in bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, the signs of testosterone deficiency are:

• Flabbiness and muscular weakness – most noticeable in upper arms and cheeks.
• Hair loss
• A lack of energy and stamina
• Loss of balance and coordination
• A loss of a sense of security
• Indecisiveness
• A decrease in sex drive, don’t seem to care about sex anymore
• Poor body image
• A decrease in arm pit, pubic and body hair

The symptoms of excess testosterone:

• Aggressiveness and Bossiness – people accuse you of being pushy
• Oily skin
• Acne
• Loss of head hair along with the growth of facial hair

I found these list to be helpful because it is not easy to find information regarding testosterone and women.  And since most women care a great deal about our weight, muscle tone and sex drive I found this to be a really important subject.

Testosterone replacement is provided by prescription via a medical doctor and usually only after you are first balanced with  estrogen and progesterone . 

Testosterone replacement comes in a number of forms including creams, gels, pills and sublingual drops. Bioidentical hormone replacement doctors

Before you start any hormone replacement therapy it is important to test your hormone levels. As you can see from the list above the side effects from either too much or too little testosterone can be problematic.

For more information about Bioidentical Hormone Replacement please check out our home page at www.bioidenticalhormonereplacement.net

Technorati Tags: estrogen, estrogen replacement, progesterone, testosterone, testosterone deficiency, Testosterone replacement

Symptoms and Solutions

Testosterone production in a woman’s body is aproximatley ten percent of the amount made by the typical male.  It is produced primarily in the ovaries and adrenal glands.

Along with progesterone and estrogen, the two other vital hormones a woman’s body creates – testosterone production declines with age and in some cases prior to menopause. The most notable symptom of low testosterone in women is low libido. However, low testosterone in women can also contribute to depression and osteoporosis, loss of muscle mass and difficulty in losing weight.

Most Body builders and athletes know that the role of testosterone in maintaining muscle mass and losing body fat is vital. Yet, it is a conversation that is often absent in the medical community. Many women begin to gain body fat regardless of their efforts about ten to fifteen years before menopause and this often continue after as well. The connection between low testosterone production and the deterioration of a healthy body composition seems obviouse but is rarely made.

Often women on hormone replacement therapies are only given estrogens and progestins but not testosterone. Yet there is evidence that suggest with out treating low testosterone it is almost impossible for these women to lose fat.

In the book What Your Doctor May NOT Tell You About Premenopause, Harvard trained family physician Dr. John R. Lee describes his experience with low testosterone women. Based on several clinical studies he reported that using a small amount of natural testosterone supplementation may enhance the possitive effects of the other hormones.

Dr. Lee observes that testosterone production is dependent upon sufficient progesterone levels in the body. In a healthy human female body, progesterone plays an important role in testosterone convertion. If progesterone levels are too low wich is common,  low testosterone may be the result. As a treatment, Dr. Lee recommends  using natural progesterone cream supplementation first for at least six months and in dosages that mimic the same amounts the body would normally produce. He found that natural progesterone supplementation often solved the problem of low testosterone and low libido in women.

While low testosterone levels for a women is one side of the problem, too much testosterone can also cause problems. What often happens when women approach menopause and ovarian function slows down is that symptoms of androgen dominance can occure. In this case, testosterone supplementation will only make things worse. Androgen dominance symptoms in women include male pattern baldness and facial hair growth.

It all comes down to hormonal balance. The clearance of testosterone from a woman’s body is related to the correct balance of estrogen and progesterone levels. Too much estrogen will slow down the clearance of testosterone.  Progesterone on the otherhand enhances testosterone clearance. When testosterone stays in the body longer than necessary, testosterone can produce the symptoms described above. Again, the supplementation with natural progesterone cream tended to reverse the androgen dominant characteristics in Dr. Lee’s findings.

Dr. Lee along with most Doctors in this feild recommend using only natural testosterone, not one of the synthetic testosterone drugs that have been linked to undesirable side effects.  Natural testosterone is easily available from compounding pharmacies, however you will need a doctor’s prescription to obtain it.

For more information about Bioidentical Hormone Replacement please check out our home page at www.bioidenticalhormonereplacement.net

Other Blogs On This Subject

Low Libido and Menopause of Women

Low testosterone levels are, however, consistently related with bland libido in women. A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that women with low testosterone levels are significantly more …   Read more…

Treatment of Testosterone For Women 

And, what many women do not know is that pre-menopausal women produce three to four times more testosterone than estrogen and even then, the amount of hormone is only around 5 to 10 percent of what men have.  Read more…

Testosterone May Guide Women’s Careers 

A new study of 500 graduate business students showed that women with higher testosterone levels take more risks and are more likely to choose a finance career than women with low testosterone levels.   Read more…

HGH Low Testosterone in Women 

Use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is increasing, yet little is known of a woman’s psychological well-being than her endocrine status.   Read more…

Body Fat, Low Testosterone, & Diabetes

What I wonder is what the stats are on those who are not obese but who still have low testosterone; do they too have an increased risk for diabetes? And what about women?   Read more…

Low Testosterone Symptoms

Low testosterone is nothing to be ashamed of and happens to more men and women than you think. Although it is believed that over 95% of people affected do not come forward, that doesn’t mean you can’t do the right thing and get help.   Read more…

Symptoms Low Testosterone Women

The body’s messenger, testosterone influences strength, endurance and disease prevention, in both men and women. Information about the symptoms caused by chemicals environment that Low Testosterone Levels in Women.  Read more…

Do High/Low Testosterone Levels Have Any Role In Fat Loss?

Low Testosterone levels in both men and women contribute to decreased muscle mass. This can ultimately lead to increased fat. I’m a female and was found to have a really low testosterone level.   Read more…

Low Testosterone Levels In Women

Low testosterone levels may sometimes be to blame for the physical and emotional. However, low testosterone levels can lead to worsening of skin conditions as well. 

 Read more…

Technorati Tags: decreased muscle mass, endocrine, estrogen, hormone replacement therapy, HRT, libido, Low testosterone levels, Natural te, pre-menopausal women, the Journal of the American Medical Association, Women