(article - news release from PRWeb)
- C. W. Randolph, R. Ph., M.D., a trained pharmacist, a
practicing board certified gynecologist, and one of the
nation's leading authorities on bio-identical hormone
therapies (BHRT), was recently interviewed by the New York
Times to discuss the safety and effectiveness of bio-identical
progesterone cream for treatment of symptoms associated with
menopause and PMS. He is the author of the best selling book,
'From
Hormone Hell to Hormone Well.'
'Over 38 million American women are now entering
pre-menopause or menopause and they are seeking alternative
solutions to treat the symptoms associated with PMS and
menopause,' says Dr. Randolph. 'The problem is that medical
studies, including the Women's Health Initiative, have shown
that synthetic hormones increase a woman's risk of heart
attacks, stroke, breast and uterine cancer, and Alzheimer's.
Commonly prescribed synthetic hormones such as Premarin or
Prempro, are a potential poison to these women and significant
changes must be made in the ways these patients are advised
and treated by their physicians.'
The issue of safety is a major concern when talking about
hormone replacement. In 2002 the Women's Health Initiative
Study (WHI) was halted prior to completion because the
synthetic hormones used in that study, namely Prempro and
Premarin, were linked to significant health risks including
breast and uterine cancers, heart attack, stroke and even
Alzheimer's disease.
Progestin, the molecular compound found in Prempro, is a
synthetic drug whose molecular structure is different, thus
triggering dangerous side effects in the body. It is important
to recognize that bio- identical progesterone is very
different from synthetic progestin. Bio-identical progesterone
has the same molecular structure as the progesterone produced
in the human body and the body recognizes it.
'Bio-identical
progesterone is not only safe to use, it can help decrease
a woman's risk for developing cancer,' says Dr. Randolph. 'I
currently lecture to physicians around the country sharing
clinical studies and medical data that validates the fact that
bio-identical progesterone has many cancer- protective
benefits. The bio-chemistry of why this is so is actually
quite simple: progesterone neutralizes the cancer-promoting
properties associated with too much estrogen in the body.
While estrogen promotes cell proliferation, or cell growth,
progesterone decreases cell growth. Too much cell growth is a
precursor for cancer.'
'In my gynecology practice, I have prescribed bio-identical
progesterone for over a decade and I have never had a
patient on my bio- identical hormone regimen develop cancer. I
even have patients who are breast cancer survivors who I
prescribe bio-identical progesterone because my experience,
and the research shows, that the progesterone can play a key
role in preventing a recurrence of the original cancer.'
'Obviously, more studies are needed to validate the
cancer-protective properties of bio-identical
progesterone.'
Why aren't there more clinical studies investigating the
safety and efficacy of bio-identical hormones? According to
Dr. Randolph, it really boils down to two things: 1) lack of
knowledge within the medical community because physicians have
not been educated in medical school about the option of bio-
identical hormone replacement and 2) the ability of major
pharmaceutical companies to twist and manipulate the idea of
hormone replacement to capitalize on a business opportunity.
'Synthetic hormones are produced in a lab and have a
genetically modified structure, they can be patented.' Dr.
Randolph said, 'This allows big drug companies to market and
sell this product exclusively, thus creating profits. Big
pharmaceutical companies would not market, or fund research
studies investigating, bio- identical hormones. Why should
they? There is no way for them to make a buck on products that
can't be patented.'
'The pharmaceutical industry is the top funder of specialty
forums and continuing medical education meetings for doctors.
They offer physicians some nice 'perks,' such as dinners,
fishing trips and sporting event tickets. Credible or
questionable, the dollars the pharmaceutical companies spend
gets them the ear of the physician.'
It really comes down to business dollars versus patient
care. The good news is that the consumer may soon have more
power than the pharmaceutical industry. They now realize that
they may be faced with a difficult decision when it comes to
symptoms versus treatment. They are looking for alternatives
because an all or nothing scenario doesn't work for them.
'Smart, informed and demanding women are finding their
voice and they want data that they can believe and trust,'
concludes Dr. Randolph. 'I believe every physician should
embody their original role as patient advocate and demand that
the safety and effectiveness of bio-identical
hormones be a top priority for each medical university's
research agenda. The pharmaceutical industry's marketing hype
needs to be replaced with solid medical evidence.
Bio-identical hormone replacement is a safe and effective
option for women and men seeking treatment for hormone
imbalances.'
