Menopause Therapy Sparks Controversy
Opinion Split Over Safety Of Synthetic Hormones, Bioidenticals
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Menopause Relief: New Option
More women are turning to bio-identical hormones to control menopause symptoms after synthetic hormone replacement therapy found it increased the risk of breast cancer. Katie Couric reports.
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The North American Menopause Society (CBS)
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"I found myself very irritable, very tearful, everything would make me cry," Glennis explains.
Yes, it was menopause, CBS Evening News anchor Katie Couric reports.
"I was deteriorating into this old, nasty lady," she says, laughing. "I'd feel like I was outside my body looking at myself and my behavior and saying, 'Eww, do you have to be that way?'"
Glennis started taking synthetic hormones, but stopped when the study four years ago warned of the risks. Some experts believe the study was misinterpreted and that low levels of hormones taken over a short period of time are safe.
But many skeptical women turned to something called bioidenticals. These products, derived from soy and yam extracts, are structurally identical to those hormones found in a woman's body, but they are not approved by the FDA.
Dr. Erika Schwartz, author of four books about menopause, is an advocate for bioidenticals, prescribing them to others and herself.
"I have seen people get their sex drive back. I've seen women get rid of their hot flashes, their night sweats, re-capturing their ability to sleep," Dr. Schwartz says.
But critics say there's virtually no difference between bioidenticals and their synthetic counterparts. And now, doctors are concerned that a new bestseller by former actress Suzanne Somers is creating more hype and more confusion.
"These people are claiming that these are natural, that they don't increase the risk of breast cancer, That's absolute nonsense," says Dr. Wulf Utian, executive director of the North American Menopause Society. "They carry exactly the same risks and exactly the same potential benefits as the commercial products."
Critics also say the compounding pharmacies mixing the bioidenticals aren't regulated enough.
"If they're getting something that's mixed in the backroom of a pharmacy, then they're not certain what they're getting," Dr. Utian says.
But the issue, says Dr. Schwartz, isn't about safety. It's about dollars and cents. Since bioidenticals are found in nature and can't be patented, Schwartz says that drug companies have no financial incentive to study them.
"I have no doubt that it's about profit," Dr. Schwartz says, adding that she wants a long-term study on these plant-derived hormones. For now, these women say the relief they're getting from bioidenticals today is worth whatever they may face in the future.
"I'm more worried about the risks if I don't take this," Glennis says.
"It's really just about maybe the second half of your life and being able to get through that feeling as good as you possibly can," says Stacy Pear, another patient.
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I have been using soy based products and herbs for the past 2 yrs and feel wonderful. Prior to that I experienced nearly all of the symptoms of menopause. Today, I have NO hot flashes, rarely feel irritable and have energy and passion for life. The only problem that still plagues me is sleep interruption on occasion. I can deal with that, and NO I will not take Lunesta or Ambien...the side effects are worse than losing a little sleep!!
The drug companies are not interested in any remedy that doesn't equal a profit. Enough said!
How do I get a hold of it.
Natural progesterone normally taken as a skin cream as it is largely destroyed in the digestion system if taken orally.
Progestins such as premarin are taken orally as they are not identical to natural progesterone, but have been modified to be slightly different from progesterone so they can pass through the digestion system without damage. They are therefore a substance which is not natural and, like transfats, are foreign to the human body. It really makes no sense to say that two different substances, one natural and one foreign to the body, will have the same risks and benefits.
Any chemist will tell you that the molecular makeup of bio-identical compounds are very different that Premarin (pregnant mare urine). Pregnant mares have 17 hormones in their urine. Women have 3 estrogen hormones in their body.
Progestin is synthetic. Progesterone is bio-identical and has proven to be a cancer protector.
There are many reputable compounding pharmacies around the US. They pay QA companies to monitor their compounds to insure that they are of the highest and consistent quality.
Within 6 weeks of starting my bio-identical biest, progesterone and testosterone, I was symptom free. My brain fog had cleared, I was sleeping all night without medication and my husband was the happiest of all. I actually suggested that we have ***!
My father recently died of Alzheimer's. It is clinically proven that women who do not have estrogen in their brains are at 50% greater risk of developing Alzheimer's Disease.Lou Anne Nichols
The science isn't even close to having any final data on any menopause drug--herbal, natural or what have you. If it seems to help, even if it's just placebo effect, and if you are willing to accept responsibility, then follow your own good judgment.
We can toss testimonials and limited scientific findings back and forth all day and it won't change anything.
The comment about the bio-identicals being made in the back room of some pharmacy is nonsense. The same could be said of all of the OTHER meds that our mainstream Dr.s prescribe for us. I've heard other Dr.s say this just before they prescribe yet another med to be made by the same phamacy's they put down for make bio-identicals. With as many women turning to bio-identicals (progesterone), of course the Med Industry and the pharmaceuticals are feeling it in their bank accounts.
I tell you, we women who are going through any phase of menopause, have husbands, children and now grandchildren,we KNOW how we feel and we are no longer going to buy into the 5 minutes worth of info we are given from our Dr.s during our all too short appts. with them.
Our libido's are back, we no longer have night sweats, hot flashes, insomnia, restless legs, our fibromyalgia is improving if not going away, no more rage and our minds are clear as a bell! We KNOW how we feel and if you think that the Million Man March on the nations capitol was impressive, if the pharmaceutical and medical industry's succeed in removing bio-identicals from the market place, just watch! A million hormonal WOMAN march in DC, will really be worth watching!
Leave us alone, we may have been born at night but not LAST night!
To Unidough: go to the link provided by this website about Dr. Erika. She sells it. Your natural food store may as well. Also go to Arbonne.com and they have a cream that they sell. I am a consultant for this company, but search for a consultant close to you.
Pharmeceutical companies and the medical community that they train should realize that the American public knows that there is something truly amiss in healthcare - and that bad medicine - and the disgraceful attempt to cover it up will never be acceptable. Their time is becoming shorter and shorter, unless they get back to making people healed wholly.
How about a little exercise, a good diet, less stress, and a positive attitude? If that doesn't work and the hot flashes are unbearable, I am going to bet my health on short-term therapy with low-dose synthetic hormones. At least, I will know the risks and benefits (and I will know what I am actually being given).
First, how many people did she have to interview to find one stupid enough to fall for the defend a negative hypothetical question trick?
Second, does she connect this type of "journalism" with her current popularity rating below a rerun of a sitcom?
Dump Katie! America needs a real anchor that delivers actual real news worse than ever. Until then, I get my news at whatreallyhappened.com and I see what the shills are selling on mainstream media like drudge and CBS. Love the chance to fight back though!
As a woman of menopausal age, she should be more mindful of playing to the pharmaceutical companies' corner as they no doubt are threatened by increased sales and interest in natural hormone therapies. Women are not dumb! They are listening and taking control of their health options. Even untested, they will try the natural options and find relief of menopausal hot flashes. The proof is in the pudding.
I would have appreciated this story more if she had found a bioidentical company who IS doing controlled tests or offered information to people will to serve as volunteers for bioidentical testing. Don't fear monger this important issue! Thanks. Anne Francis.
Women have too high expectations for not getting olders. IT shows a sign of personal growth.
Again, research this for yourself. There is plenty of info out there. Many, many people are getting lifechanging benefits from Bioidentical Hormones. They can be purchased through a compounding pharmacist or health food stores or companies like Arbonne.
Don't tell me they don't work better than synthetic drugs. My insurance won't cover the hormones but I'll pay for them anyway but it's sad that people who can't afford them won't get them because of drug companies and insurance companies. I know the difference now and I won't go back to a one for all pill that doesn't work for me.
Don't tell me they don't work better than synthetic drugs. My insurance won't cover the hormones but I'll pay for them anyway but it's sad that people who can't afford them won't get them because of drug companies and insurance companies. I know the difference now and I won't go back to a one for all pill that doesn't work for me.
Don't tell me they don't work better than synthetic drugs. My insurance won't cover the hormones but I'll pay for them anyway but it's sad that people who can't afford them won't get them because of drug companies and insurance companies. I know the difference now and I won't go back to a one for all pill that doesn't work for me.
Regards,
Glenn
My doctor recommended a complete hysterectomy at the age of 46 due to endometriosis. Needless to say the after effects of this operation were terrible. I went into instant menopause and I have a heart condition so I could not take the hormones that doctors were prescribing.
I was recommended bioidentical hormones. These hormones have saved my life -- I am currently 50 and I don't know what I will do if they stop making them. My gyn, endocrinologist and cardiologist check me every six months and prescribes my hormones accordingly. Please read "the Wisdom of Menopause" by Dr. Christianne Northrup, "What doctors don't tell you about menopause" by Dr. John Lee. These doctors tell you that doctors and pharmaceutical companies are losing money and are pushing for legislation. I know you are a superb advocate for women's rights and have always risen to the occasion of presenting the facts on any subject. I speak for the thousands of women in this country that need safer and better medicines to deal with menopause, pms and other women hormonal imbalances. God bless you.
BTW, there are studies on bio-identical hormones. Just go to www.salivatest.com and read, read, read!
I know what I'm talking about, because I work for a compounding pharmacy and wouldn't encourage women to look into BHRT if I weren't convinced of it myself. All of our patients are monitored by taking saliva tests at periodic intervels. How many women on synthetic hormones are ever monitored by blood or saliva tests by their doctors? Virtually none! Talk about unsafe. With Premarin, every woman was supposed to fall into four different dosage categories, while bio-identical hormone replacement therapy is tailored just for your body chemistry.
These media reports are barely scratching the surface regarding the amazing benefits of bio-identical hormones. While Wyeth and other pharmaceutical companies have been busy killing women for the past fifty years by their patented drugs, bio-identicals are now giving women their lives back. And Dr. Susan Love's caution to take them only for 3-5 years is pure bunk, right from the mouths of the pharmaceutical companies (the quote she was echoing refers to their new line of milder HRT, mostly still synthetics).
Gather the facts & make your own educated decision. And if you decide that you want to have the option to pursue Bio-Identicals, go to www.savemymedicine.org to preserve access to Bio-Identical Hormones & other compounded medications.
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by brianprather
November 3, 2006 5:39 PM PST
- Anyone interested in pursuing BHRT (Bio-Identicals) should visit www.savemymedicine.org. This website is dedicated to preserving patient access to Bio-Identical Hormones, as well as other compounded medications. There are forces (Drug Companies, Pharma, Insurance Companies, etc.) who are trying desperately to block women%u2019s access to these hormones. Why? Corporate greed. Bio-Identicals are cutting into the profit margins of the Drug Companies, who provide kickbacks to the insurance companies that cover their synthetic hormones. www.savemymedicine.org. Let your voice be heard. Protect your access to Bio-Identical Hormones.
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