In this issue

Estrogen Replacement Therapy and Your Heart: More News, More Confusion…

The Need for More Research and Why You Need a Knowledgeable Physician. The September 17th issue of The Wall Street Journal ran an article by Ron Winslow entitled “New Light Is Shed on Hormone Therapy.” Many of my patients who read the article immediately began calling my office in confusion. Our website was also inundated with queries. The gist of the article was this: For many years, medical research reported that the hormone estrogen benefited the heart but that premise was severely shaken in 2002 when the Women’s Health Initiative study of hormone replacement therapy in post-menopausal women was halted after data indicated the regimen of (synthetic) estrogen replacement increased the risk of coronary disease. Now researchers at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas have discovered that a compound related to cholesterol, 27-hydroxycholesterol or 27HC, can block the hormone estrogen from performing functions in blood vessels that keep them healthy and free of disease leading to heart attacks. According to David J. Mangelsdorf, the senior Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator responsible for the study, “Because participants in the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) began taking estrogen, on average, 13 years after the onset of menopause, the findings suggest that 27HC was true culprit increasing the risk of heart disease in those women.” Okay. Now what? Does this mean that high cholesterol is the bad guy and now you need estrogen replacement to protect against heart disease? Absolutely not. This study was conducted on mice. Much more research is needed before we will have a clear understanding of the interaction between cholesterol and hormones in women. In the meantime, let’s talk about when estrogen replacement is appropriate. It has been my clinical experience that most women (approximately 80%) can address their underlying hormone imbalance and also relieve accompanying symptoms –such as hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, weight gain and moodiness- with bio-identical progesterone replacement alone. The other 20% of women sometimes find they need more help.You should only consider estrogen replacement therapy if bio-identical progesterone replacement alone does not eliminate your symptoms and you are: Peri-menopausal (near the age of natural onset of menopause – typically 51 – and experiencing irregular bleeding) Menopausal (have not menstruated for one year or more) A woman who has entered menopause as a result of surgery, i.e. a partial or complete hysterectomy. If you fall in one of the above categories I strongly encourage you to have your hormone levels tested to determine your individual deficiencies in progesterone, estrogen and testosterone.We can help you with the testing of your hormone levels. Then, if your test results do indicate that you are a candidate for estrogen replacement therapy, we can counsel you on how to find a physician who is knowledgeable about bio-identical estrogen replacement. Please beware: You should never take any form of synthetic estrogen (such as Premarin) because multiple medical studies have linked synthetic estrogen replacement to an increased risk of breast and uterine cancers as well as stroke and Alzheimer’s disease. Only work with a physician who will prescribe bio-identical estrogen replacement. Because estrogen causes cell proliferation, or growth, that can lead to cancer and progesterone inhibits estrogen’s cell growth properties, you should never be prescribed any form of estrogen replacement, including bio-identical estrogen replacement, without also being prescribed bio-identical progesterone. I wish you WELL! Dr. Randolph * Please Note: Because legally we are unable to provide prescriptions for telephone consultation patients unless they have been previously seen in my office, should you require a prescription for a more comprehensive panel of bio-identical hormone replacement, my nurse practitioner will advise you how to locate a physician and compounding pharmacy in your area.

Testimonial

I am 59 years old, and have been using Dr Randolph's bio-identical hormones since March, 2000 (triple estrogen, CWR progesterone cream, and sublingual testosterone). I take them not only to alleviate my menopause symptoms, but to manage my osteoporosis. I am very grateful that Dr. Randolph provides these products, as I feel younger than I used to, and I don't have to resort to using Fosamax!  

It is very reassuring to know that I am on the right track because Dr. Randolph helped me to set up my own personal regimen for natural wellness, and he monitors my progress at regular intervals. I wish you continued success in your endeavors. 

Sincerely,

 J. Vincent, B.S., LMT

Hormone Testing Kit & Consultation

Click Here to Order