By Dr. Doreen DeStefano, NhD, APRN, DNP
As we age, women will start to experience symptoms of hormonal imbalance, which is interconnected to perimenopause, menopause, post-menopause or reproductive conditions.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has been used for decades; however, it’s well known that synthetic HRT leads to blood clots, heart disorders and breast cancer in women. Unfortunately, you won’t often hear about this from your primary care physician or gynecologist. In fact, it’s not uncommon for many physicians to prescribe HRT to women over 50 in the form of birth control to help regulate their heavy bleeding or spotting. Along with birth control there are other oral hormones such as estrogen, progesterone and testosterone that are widely available in patches, creams and pellets that have numerous adverse effects.
A study published in JAMA, entitled, Unopposed Estrogen Therapy and the Risk of Invasive Breast Cancer, sheds light on the dangers of synthetic unopposed hormones.
They concluded that, breast cancer risk increased with duration of unopposed estrogen use among longer-term users with the highest risk seen in cancers positive for estrogen receptor (ER+) and progesterone receptor (PR+). The study population was expanded every 2 years to include women who subsequently became postmenopausal and had a hysterectomy, so that 28 835 women were included in the final follow-up period (2000-2002). Estrogen use was assessed from self-reported data on biennial questionnaires. The main outcome was invasive breast cancer.
Bio-Identical Hormones—A Safer Option
Regulating hormones to create balance is important and women need options that do not cause harm. That is why many practitioners rely on bio-identical hormones, which are safer and more widely accepted by the body.
Hormone levels can be adjusted through bio-identical hormone therapy, which alleviates or in many cases, eliminates the associated symptoms and life fluctuations surrounding hormones. There are even studies now that suggest bio-identical hormones can help reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s and dementia.
In the U.S., bio-identical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) has been used since the 1930s. And based on hundreds of current medically thorough studies, the results for patient’s overall quality of life and dramatic changes in their hormonal symptoms are astounding.
BHRT is equal to our body’s natural hormones on a molecular level. The difference between synthetic and identical hormones is that synthetic hormones do not match human hormones on a biological level.
Bio-identical hormones are made from plant sources and are readily received by the body as natural and normal. They are much more therapeutic and effective than synthetic hormonal substances.
Measuring BHRT for Women
The typical bioidentical hormone replacement therapy for women are Estrogens (Estriol and Estradiol), Progesterone, Testosterone, and DHEA. These precise components of each woman’s therapy need to be determined upon completion of a physical examination, medical history, and laboratory testing ordered by your doctor.
Progesterone for Women
Bioidentical progesterone provides the most efficient way to integrate with the body’s natural progesterone receptors. This is critical because body receptors are structure specific. A few of the benefits from bioidentical progesterone are an increase in bone health, protection against breast cancer and endometrial growth, an antidepressant effect, controlling blood clotting, and increased libido.
On the contrary, Progestin (synthetic) doesn’t have quite as many benefits. In fact, it has more negative effects, like, miscarriages, weight gain, decreased sex drive, increased risk of breast cancer, high risk of fractures and osteoporosis, increased blood clotting risks, anxiety, depression, migraine headaches, and other health-related disorders.
Correct ratios and customized blends are critical
With personalized medicine, Bioidentical hormones can be compounded and made specifically for each patient’s needs. Bioidentical estrogen and DHEA offers similar benefits.
*Creams are thought to be a safer choice than pellets since it can be better controlled.
Dr. DeStefano, of Root Causes Holistic Health & Medicine in Ft Myers, FL, incorporates IV & Chelation therapy with hyperbaric chamber sessions to combat multiple chronic conditions and disease states.
Doreen DeStefano, NHD, APRN, DNP
Dr. Doreen DeStefano holds a doctorate in natural health, an MPA in public business, MS (ABT) in criminal psychology, and a BS in exercise physiology and nursing. She previously held an EMT certification. Dr. DeStefano has been practicing in natural health for over ten years. Her area of interest is healthy aging and prevention and resolution of chronic symptoms associated with aging. She believes that growing old should not mean breaking down.
Poor diet, chronic stress, insomnia, disease, illness, environmental stressors, and a sedentary lifestyle can all contribute to disease states and an unhealthy lifestyle. ISN’T IT TIME YOU TOOK STEPS TO LIVE YOUR BEST LIFE?
Contact Root Causes Holistic Health and Medicine at 239) 425-2900
12734 Kenwood Lane. Ft Myers, FL 33907
239-425-2900 | www.rtcausesmd.com