Hormones For “Older” Women
Monday, February 1st, 2010
Okay, in the last 2 days I have stumbled across 2 letters to “Dear Annie” in the Boston Globe concerning “older” women lacking sex drives.
One of the women was in her early 60’s, the other was only 48 years old. Both were lumped into the, “sorry that menopause has taken it’s toll,” category. The advice offered to both was pretty much, “suck it up,” (literally), and see a counselor. In both instances NO mention of hormone support was offered. Such a sad state. Unfortunately I am certain we are not the only state where this is happening!
So, for you “older” women out there, here is my advice: you can, and SHOULD use hormone support if you are suffering, no matter what your age. Yes, you are hearing me correctly, there is NO age ban for women to use hormones, even though we have been ill-advised to run from all hormones, especially women over the age of 60.
Why all the misinformation? It stems from the infamous WHI study that showed an increase in heart disease and stroke in women 60 years old and over. As you know from my book, the WHI study had many flaws such as: only carcinogenic Provera was used to substitute for progesterone, only oral horse estrogen (Premarin) was used, by mouth, most women studied had not previously used hormones, so they were already at an increased risk for heart disease and stroke, many women had preexisting heart disease, and most of the women had no complaints, so they did not need hormones at all.
Nothing, and I mean NOTHING improves a woman’s sex drive better than estrogen. Sure testosterone helps, but without estrogen there is no bell ringing and probably a little too much soreness to be thrilled. I know from years of clinical experience with hundreds of women, and I know firsthand, as I am “an older” woman myself.
You can safely use estrogen. I recommend vaginal Estriol (my favorite brand, made by Bezwecken, is available on the internet), and transdermal Estradiol, (balanced with Progesterone), available from your doctor. If he or she is unenlightened please slip them a copy of my book which has hundreds of references supporting my advice.
Studies have clearly shown that transdermal estrogen does NOT increase clotting, but estrogen given by mouth does. Natural forms of Progesterone are not the same as Provera, chemically or biologically. Provera has been shown to increase the risk of heart disease.
Transdermal estrogen is available using skin patches, gels, sprays, or creams. All are FDA approved, except compounded creams which cannot be FDA approved because compounded things MUST be regulated by their own approval boards, not the FDA.
In addition to sex hormones, DHEA has been shown to increase a woman’s “vitality,” (yes that’s the term used in the study), and also raises testosterone in women. Viagra does not do much for the sex drive of men and women. Viagra, and similar drugs, pushes the “joy stick,” but it does not make the driver more amorous. Testosterone in men (and some women) is necessary for that. Please go forth and enjoy at all ages!
0 Comments | Permalink | Posted in Menopause, Estrogen, Hormones, Uncategorized
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Feeling Great Is The Goal!
Sunday, April 26th, 2009
I was having breakfast with a friend who proudly confided that she had successfully weaned herself off of all hormone support, less than one year after her total hysterectomy. “Why?” I asked, horrified. “I thought that was the goal,” she replied. “That’s what my doctor said and even you said so in your book.”
She was woefully misinformed. Hormones are not an evil to be avoided and weaned from. Let me clarify: stopping hormone support is not the goal. Feeling great is the goal. Staying healthy as we age is the goal. Having strong bones to dance at your 100th birthday is the goal. Enjoying sex, feeling joy at the sight of your great grandchildren, remembering phone numbers and how to drive your car in your nineties. These are the goals. Using natural hormones, safely, for the rest of your life will make this possible.
Why do we need hormones? Because our bodies are designed to last roughly seventy years, eighty max. If you win the gene lottery you may make it into your nineties- but it won’t be pretty. Tour a nursing home. Ask the ages. See for yourself what lies ahead. Ask how many women there had total hysterectomies without hormone support (they are the ones using walkers).
Studies have shown that women who use estrogen in the first 10 years of menopause have less calcifications (hardening of the arteries) around their heart. Studies have also shown that using hormones reduces memory loss, bone loss, depression, weight gain, and wrinkles. Hormones prevent sexual dysfunction, urinary tract infections, and vaginitis. The references are in my book.
Ask your doctor for estradiol (patch or cream), natural progestereone (pill or cream). Measure your DHEA-S, maintain your DHEA in the midrange- it will support your testosterone and it has been shown to improve sex drive. Keep your eye on the prize. The world needs more healthy women.
0 Comments | Permalink | Posted in Menopause, Progesterone, Natural Hormones, Osteoporosis, Estrogen, Heart Disease, Cardiovascular, Hormones, Uncategorized
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Confused About 1/29/09 Oprah’s Show? Natural Hormones ARE Regulated
Wednesday, February 4th, 2009
In Oprah’s last hormone show an unnecessary battle waged over the safety of compounded hormones. On her show it was insinuated that compounded hormones are not regulated. But that is just plain false. I often have to clarify this (see below) and it’s too bad because it detracts from the bigger picture which is that hormones should be used, and can be used safely to live a longer, happier, and more satisfying life.
All women can safely use natural bioidentical hormones, FDA regulated or pharmacy regulated, to improve sleep, moods, energy, memory, bones, heart, skin, and sex drive. My website lists all of the symptoms of low hormones. You don’t need fancy tests to start. All doctors are capable of prescribing natural bioidentical hormones. Here’s how:
- To support estrogen: Ask your doctor for Estradiol (FDA regulated patches, gel, or mist, or compounded Estradiol lotion). The patches can itch and fall off but many women love them as they only require changing every 3 days. All FDA approved treatments are prescribed at a specific dose so they don’t work for all women. That’s where compounding lotions are helpful. Compounding pharmacies make estradiol in lotions that allow you to vary doses. This is particularly helpful in perimenopause and early menopause when estrogen levels are very changeable.
- Always balance estradiol with natural progesterone, even if you have had a hysterectomy. Natural progesterone is available in FDA approved oral capsules or vaginal cream. It can also be compounded into oral capsules, skin lotions/creams, or drops (taken under the tongue). Chapter 8 in my book discusses progesterone. If you are on too much estrogen or if you start and stop progesterone, you may bleed or spot, which you should discuss with your doctor, whether you are using FDA approved hormones or compounded.
- Many insurance companies cover bioidentical natural hormones. If finances are a problem talk to your pharmacist about price options as insurance coverage may vary. If insurance is not covering your compounded hormones ask your insurer which compounding pharmacies they do cover. Most insurance companies have an affiliated compounding pharmacy.
- All Compounding pharmacies are regulated. Compounded hormones can not be FDA approved because they do not come in standardized doses. Instead, they are regulated by state boards of pharmacy. The materials that make up the compounded medications are all sourced from licensed FDA-registered manufacturers. To learn more about this visit the IACP (International Academy of Compounding Pharmacy) website.
- All compounding pharmacies are not equal. They are not monitored as to how much hormone is actually delivered in their products. This is why you hear so much (unfair) criticism of compounded products. To ensure quality, many compounding pharmacies routinely submit their products to independent labs for testing to establish that their creams contain what they say. Ask if your pharmacy does this. Better yet, remember, “the proof is in the pudding.” If your symptoms improve with the product, then the product is doing it’s job. If you are not improving, talk to your doctor about increasing your dose, that is after all why you are using a compounded product- to match your individualized symptoms with your individualized needs.
1 Comment | Permalink | Posted in Natural Hormones, Progesterone, Menopause, Estrogen, Hormones
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