subject: Natural Hormone Replacement Therapy For Women [print this page] Few words elicit the kind of emotional response from women that "menopause" does. The dreaded symptoms of hot flashes, weight gain, sleeplessness, irritability and even depression are the inevitable subject of conversation anytime two or more middle-aged women get together. On the bright side, however, information about natural hormone replacement therapy (or HRT) often accompanies the discussion.
Over the last five decades, HRT has been on a roller coaster of acceptance and rejection by the medical community. At various times, it was said to both prevent and cause cancer, heart disease, osteoporosis and other life-threatening conditions. Many of these studies were conducted using synthetic hormones, manufactured by pharmaceutical companies, with consumers having to sift through the information. This often leads to confusion and frustration for patients looking for relief from menopause symptoms.
During this time, American doctors were prescribing estrogen, progesterone, progenenol and similar manufactured products, European doctors were dispensing natural bioidentical plant extracts to their patients. These hormones have exactly the same chemical composition as those produced by the female body, eliminating the negative effects caused by the manufacturing process. Since these naturally produced hormones cannot be patented, and therefore less lucrative, many companies have not put them on the market. Compare this to the highly profitable Premarin, one of the most commonly prescribed hormone replacements in the U.S., which uses horse urine as its primary ingredient, an issue that may cause consternation in both animal protection and medical groups but which does produce an excellent profit margin.
Fortunately, many practitioners and public advocates have popularized natural hormone replacement therapy, making these highly effective, low-risk formulations readily available. Several reputable compounding pharmacies will fill prescriptions designed for the specific needs of an individual woman after her physician has done a full hormone panel. Carefully measured combinations of bioidentical hormones like estriol, estradiol, bi-estrogens, tri-estrogens, progesterone, testosterone and pregnenolone can be obtained through these pharmacies on receipt of a prescription.
Because every woman is different, there is no one-size-fits-all dose of natural hormones, making the customization of these compounds even more essential. By working with a woman's doctor, a good hormone pharmacy will develop and fine tune the regimen best for her, keeping her hormone levels at their optimum and those unpleasant symptoms at bay. With a prescription for natural hormone replacement in hand, and the assistance of a qualified physician and pharmacy, many women can fly through menopause without a backward glance.
by: Stephen Daniels
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