Guest guest Posted March 12, 2002 Report Share Posted March 12, 2002 , What are your plans regarding the fibroids? Are they causing you any problems? Have they stayed the same size? Sylvia At 05:33 PM 3/12/02 -0500, you wrote: >Hello Sylvia, >I am 53 and first became aware of my fibroids at 49. I think it is the >imbalance with the onset of menopause that may trigger fribroids as well but >they don't really know. I am still having my periods so I also don't know >what >to do at this point. A hysterecomy is the only thing that has been >suggested to >me. >Good luck, > > > > > >Sylvia Altenburger on 03/12/2002 >03:41:19 PM > >Please respond to uterinefibroids > >To: uterinefibroids >cc: (bcc: son/TOR/MMCA) > >Subject: need input > > > >I just joined this group so maybe this topic has been covered before. I'm >52 years old and my DR. has recommended a hysterectomy because I developed >fibroids within the last 2 years. These growths seem to coincide with HRT >which I started taking because of symptoms. I have been to two doctors and >both feel that the HRT would not have caused the fibroids to grow. Neither >doctor recommended that I stop taking the HRT - now I wish I had. Has >anyone had the same kind of experience. I'm told that's it's estrogen that >makes these fibroids grow and at my age that should not be happening. > > Thanks for any input you may have. > >Sylvia > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 12, 2002 Report Share Posted March 12, 2002 , What are your plans regarding the fibroids? Are they causing you any problems? Have they stayed the same size? Sylvia At 05:33 PM 3/12/02 -0500, you wrote: >Hello Sylvia, >I am 53 and first became aware of my fibroids at 49. I think it is the >imbalance with the onset of menopause that may trigger fribroids as well but >they don't really know. I am still having my periods so I also don't know >what >to do at this point. A hysterecomy is the only thing that has been >suggested to >me. >Good luck, > > > > > >Sylvia Altenburger on 03/12/2002 >03:41:19 PM > >Please respond to uterinefibroids > >To: uterinefibroids >cc: (bcc: son/TOR/MMCA) > >Subject: need input > > > >I just joined this group so maybe this topic has been covered before. I'm >52 years old and my DR. has recommended a hysterectomy because I developed >fibroids within the last 2 years. These growths seem to coincide with HRT >which I started taking because of symptoms. I have been to two doctors and >both feel that the HRT would not have caused the fibroids to grow. Neither >doctor recommended that I stop taking the HRT - now I wish I had. Has >anyone had the same kind of experience. I'm told that's it's estrogen that >makes these fibroids grow and at my age that should not be happening. > > Thanks for any input you may have. > >Sylvia > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 12, 2002 Report Share Posted March 12, 2002 Sylvia, Please consider keeping your uterus. Hysterectomy is a convenient way for physicians to treat fibroids, however, it is very often unnecessary. Physicians get paid substantial money to perform surgery and they are quite often quite unfamiliar with alternate procedures. There are several alternatives for you to consider. Yes, fibroids are estrogen dependant and often result from estrogen dominance for several yrs prior to menopause. However, taking some natural progesterone should help this condition tremendously. You need to replace your hormones in order to prevent cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis. As a nurse, I treat hundreds of pts that have not taken their hormones and are suffering with cardiovascular disease and are in constant pain from osteoporosis. You can keep your uterus and take natural hormones, both estrogen and progesterone, to maintain hormonal balance and prevent future problems that occur because of estrogen and progesterone deficiencies. Nature never intended us to outlive our female hormones, only a few hundred yrs ago, women typically lived only into their forties and never experienced what we know as menopause. I am happy to give more detail if you'd like. need input I just joined this group so maybe this topic has been covered before. I'm 52 years old and my DR. has recommended a hysterectomy because I developed fibroids within the last 2 years. These growths seem to coincide with HRT which I started taking because of symptoms. I have been to two doctors and both feel that the HRT would not have caused the fibroids to grow. Neither doctor recommended that I stop taking the HRT - now I wish I had. Has anyone had the same kind of experience. I'm told that's it's estrogen that makes these fibroids grow and at my age that should not be happening. Thanks for any input you may have. Sylvia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 12, 2002 Report Share Posted March 12, 2002 Sylvia, Please consider keeping your uterus. Hysterectomy is a convenient way for physicians to treat fibroids, however, it is very often unnecessary. Physicians get paid substantial money to perform surgery and they are quite often quite unfamiliar with alternate procedures. There are several alternatives for you to consider. Yes, fibroids are estrogen dependant and often result from estrogen dominance for several yrs prior to menopause. However, taking some natural progesterone should help this condition tremendously. You need to replace your hormones in order to prevent cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis. As a nurse, I treat hundreds of pts that have not taken their hormones and are suffering with cardiovascular disease and are in constant pain from osteoporosis. You can keep your uterus and take natural hormones, both estrogen and progesterone, to maintain hormonal balance and prevent future problems that occur because of estrogen and progesterone deficiencies. Nature never intended us to outlive our female hormones, only a few hundred yrs ago, women typically lived only into their forties and never experienced what we know as menopause. I am happy to give more detail if you'd like. need input I just joined this group so maybe this topic has been covered before. I'm 52 years old and my DR. has recommended a hysterectomy because I developed fibroids within the last 2 years. These growths seem to coincide with HRT which I started taking because of symptoms. I have been to two doctors and both feel that the HRT would not have caused the fibroids to grow. Neither doctor recommended that I stop taking the HRT - now I wish I had. Has anyone had the same kind of experience. I'm told that's it's estrogen that makes these fibroids grow and at my age that should not be happening. Thanks for any input you may have. Sylvia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 12, 2002 Report Share Posted March 12, 2002 Hello Sylvia, I am 53 and first became aware of my fibroids at 49. I think it is the imbalance with the onset of menopause that may trigger fribroids as well but they don't really know. I am still having my periods so I also don't know what to do at this point. A hysterecomy is the only thing that has been suggested to me. Good luck, Sylvia Altenburger on 03/12/2002 03:41:19 PM Please respond to uterinefibroids To: uterinefibroids cc: (bcc: son/TOR/MMCA) Subject: need input I just joined this group so maybe this topic has been covered before. I'm 52 years old and my DR. has recommended a hysterectomy because I developed fibroids within the last 2 years. These growths seem to coincide with HRT which I started taking because of symptoms. I have been to two doctors and both feel that the HRT would not have caused the fibroids to grow. Neither doctor recommended that I stop taking the HRT - now I wish I had. Has anyone had the same kind of experience. I'm told that's it's estrogen that makes these fibroids grow and at my age that should not be happening. Thanks for any input you may have. Sylvia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 13, 2002 Report Share Posted March 13, 2002 , Are your fibroids staying the same size? In my case, that was the one thing I was concerned about. The doctors did warn that a fast growth may indicate cancer. I guess that's my fear. Sylvia At 05:33 PM 3/12/02 -0500, you wrote: >Hello Sylvia, >I am 53 and first became aware of my fibroids at 49. I think it is the >imbalance with the onset of menopause that may trigger fribroids as well but >they don't really know. I am still having my periods so I also don't know >what >to do at this point. A hysterecomy is the only thing that has been >suggested to >me. >Good luck, > > > > > >Sylvia Altenburger on 03/12/2002 >03:41:19 PM > >Please respond to uterinefibroids > >To: uterinefibroids >cc: (bcc: son/TOR/MMCA) > >Subject: need input > > > >I just joined this group so maybe this topic has been covered before. I'm >52 years old and my DR. has recommended a hysterectomy because I developed >fibroids within the last 2 years. These growths seem to coincide with HRT >which I started taking because of symptoms. I have been to two doctors and >both feel that the HRT would not have caused the fibroids to grow. Neither >doctor recommended that I stop taking the HRT - now I wish I had. Has >anyone had the same kind of experience. I'm told that's it's estrogen that >makes these fibroids grow and at my age that should not be happening. > > Thanks for any input you may have. > >Sylvia > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 13, 2002 Report Share Posted March 13, 2002 , Are your fibroids staying the same size? In my case, that was the one thing I was concerned about. The doctors did warn that a fast growth may indicate cancer. I guess that's my fear. Sylvia At 05:33 PM 3/12/02 -0500, you wrote: >Hello Sylvia, >I am 53 and first became aware of my fibroids at 49. I think it is the >imbalance with the onset of menopause that may trigger fribroids as well but >they don't really know. I am still having my periods so I also don't know >what >to do at this point. A hysterecomy is the only thing that has been >suggested to >me. >Good luck, > > > > > >Sylvia Altenburger on 03/12/2002 >03:41:19 PM > >Please respond to uterinefibroids > >To: uterinefibroids >cc: (bcc: son/TOR/MMCA) > >Subject: need input > > > >I just joined this group so maybe this topic has been covered before. I'm >52 years old and my DR. has recommended a hysterectomy because I developed >fibroids within the last 2 years. These growths seem to coincide with HRT >which I started taking because of symptoms. I have been to two doctors and >both feel that the HRT would not have caused the fibroids to grow. Neither >doctor recommended that I stop taking the HRT - now I wish I had. Has >anyone had the same kind of experience. I'm told that's it's estrogen that >makes these fibroids grow and at my age that should not be happening. > > Thanks for any input you may have. > >Sylvia > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 13, 2002 Report Share Posted March 13, 2002 , Are your fibroids staying the same size? In my case, that was the one thing I was concerned about. The doctors did warn that a fast growth may indicate cancer. I guess that's my fear. Sylvia At 05:33 PM 3/12/02 -0500, you wrote: >Hello Sylvia, >I am 53 and first became aware of my fibroids at 49. I think it is the >imbalance with the onset of menopause that may trigger fribroids as well but >they don't really know. I am still having my periods so I also don't know >what >to do at this point. A hysterecomy is the only thing that has been >suggested to >me. >Good luck, > > > > > >Sylvia Altenburger on 03/12/2002 >03:41:19 PM > >Please respond to uterinefibroids > >To: uterinefibroids >cc: (bcc: son/TOR/MMCA) > >Subject: need input > > > >I just joined this group so maybe this topic has been covered before. I'm >52 years old and my DR. has recommended a hysterectomy because I developed >fibroids within the last 2 years. These growths seem to coincide with HRT >which I started taking because of symptoms. I have been to two doctors and >both feel that the HRT would not have caused the fibroids to grow. Neither >doctor recommended that I stop taking the HRT - now I wish I had. Has >anyone had the same kind of experience. I'm told that's it's estrogen that >makes these fibroids grow and at my age that should not be happening. > > Thanks for any input you may have. > >Sylvia > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 13, 2002 Report Share Posted March 13, 2002 In a message dated 3/13/02 9:04:51 AM Pacific Standard Time, fdonovan@... writes: > However, most women do not know about natural hormones made > from compounding pharmacies nor do they understand that > without some form of replacement(soy products, isoflavone > products, natural hormones) they will be subject to the same > risks as men for cardiovascular disease and many of them > will either get osteoporosis or will lose bone density mass. > > Hope this clears up my philosophy..... > But, aren't women with fibroids at a risk of causing fibroid growth if they take any kind of hormone supplement, or even if they eat too many soy products? Cheryl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 13, 2002 Report Share Posted March 13, 2002 In a message dated 3/13/02 9:04:51 AM Pacific Standard Time, fdonovan@... writes: > However, most women do not know about natural hormones made > from compounding pharmacies nor do they understand that > without some form of replacement(soy products, isoflavone > products, natural hormones) they will be subject to the same > risks as men for cardiovascular disease and many of them > will either get osteoporosis or will lose bone density mass. > > Hope this clears up my philosophy..... > But, aren't women with fibroids at a risk of causing fibroid growth if they take any kind of hormone supplement, or even if they eat too many soy products? Cheryl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 13, 2002 Report Share Posted March 13, 2002 In a message dated 3/13/02 9:04:51 AM Pacific Standard Time, fdonovan@... writes: > However, most women do not know about natural hormones made > from compounding pharmacies nor do they understand that > without some form of replacement(soy products, isoflavone > products, natural hormones) they will be subject to the same > risks as men for cardiovascular disease and many of them > will either get osteoporosis or will lose bone density mass. > > Hope this clears up my philosophy..... > But, aren't women with fibroids at a risk of causing fibroid growth if they take any kind of hormone supplement, or even if they eat too many soy products? Cheryl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 13, 2002 Report Share Posted March 13, 2002 Marsha, I am not the least interested in what the synthetic pharmaceutical companies have to say. I NEVER advocate synthetic hormones, as I feel they are akin to poison to a woman. Nor do I rely upon the headlines and hype about HRT as it is most always about synthetics!! Instead, I have painstakingly read every inch and every detail of the research projects done within the past 15 yrs including the Framingham Heart Study, the Boston Nurses Study, the HERS study, etc. etc. Additionally, I read all the studies from Germany, Gr Britain, Italy and Scandanavia using natural hormones and they are remarkable. As I am sure you know......the Pharm Industry wants to sell us expensive drugs and they know that we are a huge market (pre and post menopausal women) and they will say anything to get us to buy their chemicals. However, most women do not know about natural hormones made from compounding pharmacies nor do they understand that without some form of replacement(soy products, isoflavone products, natural hormones) they will be subject to the same risks as men for cardiovascular disease and many of them will either get osteoporosis or will lose bone density mass. Hope this clears up my philosophy..... Fran need input > > I just joined this group so maybe this topic has been > covered before. I'm > 52 years old and my DR. has recommended a hysterectomy > because I developed > fibroids within the last 2 years. These growths seem to > coincide with HRT > which I started taking because of symptoms. I have been to > two doctors and > both feel that the HRT would not have caused the fibroids to > grow. Neither > doctor recommended that I stop taking the HRT - now I wish I > had. Has > anyone had the same kind of experience. I'm told that's > it's estrogen that > makes these fibroids grow and at my age that should not be > happening. > > Thanks for any input you may have. > > Sylvia > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 13, 2002 Report Share Posted March 13, 2002 Marsha, I am not the least interested in what the synthetic pharmaceutical companies have to say. I NEVER advocate synthetic hormones, as I feel they are akin to poison to a woman. Nor do I rely upon the headlines and hype about HRT as it is most always about synthetics!! Instead, I have painstakingly read every inch and every detail of the research projects done within the past 15 yrs including the Framingham Heart Study, the Boston Nurses Study, the HERS study, etc. etc. Additionally, I read all the studies from Germany, Gr Britain, Italy and Scandanavia using natural hormones and they are remarkable. As I am sure you know......the Pharm Industry wants to sell us expensive drugs and they know that we are a huge market (pre and post menopausal women) and they will say anything to get us to buy their chemicals. However, most women do not know about natural hormones made from compounding pharmacies nor do they understand that without some form of replacement(soy products, isoflavone products, natural hormones) they will be subject to the same risks as men for cardiovascular disease and many of them will either get osteoporosis or will lose bone density mass. Hope this clears up my philosophy..... Fran need input > > I just joined this group so maybe this topic has been > covered before. I'm > 52 years old and my DR. has recommended a hysterectomy > because I developed > fibroids within the last 2 years. These growths seem to > coincide with HRT > which I started taking because of symptoms. I have been to > two doctors and > both feel that the HRT would not have caused the fibroids to > grow. Neither > doctor recommended that I stop taking the HRT - now I wish I > had. Has > anyone had the same kind of experience. I'm told that's > it's estrogen that > makes these fibroids grow and at my age that should not be > happening. > > Thanks for any input you may have. > > Sylvia > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 13, 2002 Report Share Posted March 13, 2002 Marsha, I am not the least interested in what the synthetic pharmaceutical companies have to say. I NEVER advocate synthetic hormones, as I feel they are akin to poison to a woman. Nor do I rely upon the headlines and hype about HRT as it is most always about synthetics!! Instead, I have painstakingly read every inch and every detail of the research projects done within the past 15 yrs including the Framingham Heart Study, the Boston Nurses Study, the HERS study, etc. etc. Additionally, I read all the studies from Germany, Gr Britain, Italy and Scandanavia using natural hormones and they are remarkable. As I am sure you know......the Pharm Industry wants to sell us expensive drugs and they know that we are a huge market (pre and post menopausal women) and they will say anything to get us to buy their chemicals. However, most women do not know about natural hormones made from compounding pharmacies nor do they understand that without some form of replacement(soy products, isoflavone products, natural hormones) they will be subject to the same risks as men for cardiovascular disease and many of them will either get osteoporosis or will lose bone density mass. Hope this clears up my philosophy..... Fran need input > > I just joined this group so maybe this topic has been > covered before. I'm > 52 years old and my DR. has recommended a hysterectomy > because I developed > fibroids within the last 2 years. These growths seem to > coincide with HRT > which I started taking because of symptoms. I have been to > two doctors and > both feel that the HRT would not have caused the fibroids to > grow. Neither > doctor recommended that I stop taking the HRT - now I wish I > had. Has > anyone had the same kind of experience. I'm told that's > it's estrogen that > makes these fibroids grow and at my age that should not be > happening. > > Thanks for any input you may have. > > Sylvia > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 13, 2002 Report Share Posted March 13, 2002 Fran Donovan wrote: > women do not know about natural hormones made > from compounding pharmacies Can you tell us more about these pharmacies? I probably sound like a complete rube, but how does one get natural hormones (ie. prescription or, like progesterone cream, otc in the health food store)? Are they assayed, are they regulated by the FDA...just wondering, as I really don't want to do standard HRT. Thanks, Robyn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 13, 2002 Report Share Posted March 13, 2002 Fran Donovan wrote: > women do not know about natural hormones made > from compounding pharmacies Can you tell us more about these pharmacies? I probably sound like a complete rube, but how does one get natural hormones (ie. prescription or, like progesterone cream, otc in the health food store)? Are they assayed, are they regulated by the FDA...just wondering, as I really don't want to do standard HRT. Thanks, Robyn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 13, 2002 Report Share Posted March 13, 2002 Fran Donovan wrote: > women do not know about natural hormones made > from compounding pharmacies Can you tell us more about these pharmacies? I probably sound like a complete rube, but how does one get natural hormones (ie. prescription or, like progesterone cream, otc in the health food store)? Are they assayed, are they regulated by the FDA...just wondering, as I really don't want to do standard HRT. Thanks, Robyn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 13, 2002 Report Share Posted March 13, 2002 Robyn, Yes, natural hormones are regulated by the FDA and therefore only special compounding pharmacies can supply these natural products. Natural compounded hormones can not be patented because they are derived from natural plant products, soy and yams and therefore any compounding pharm can make them and pharmaceutical companies can not put their names on them. Therefore, the good news for us is that they are much cheaper. The crèmes that are sold OTC at healthfood stores are simply the raw materials from wild yam herb and they are not effective because our bodies lack the ability to convert this herb into progesterone. Compounding pharmacists convert the dioscorea into progesterone that is recognized and accepted by our bodies. They actually are hormones that are biologically identical to our own hormones. The crèmes sold in healthfood stores and the synthetics sold in regular pharmacies are not biologically identical. Which is why they have so many side effects or, in the case of progesterone (misnomer) crème found OTC in healthfood stores it is ineffective. Our bodies do not recognize the chemicals found in Premarin as natural which is why we have so many cases of side effects. Re: Re: need input Fran Donovan wrote: > women do not know about natural hormones made > from compounding pharmacies Can you tell us more about these pharmacies? I probably sound like a complete rube, but how does one get natural hormones (ie. prescription or, like progesterone cream, otc in the health food store)? Are they assayed, are they regulated by the FDA...just wondering, as I really don't want to do standard HRT. Thanks, Robyn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 13, 2002 Report Share Posted March 13, 2002 Robyn, Yes, natural hormones are regulated by the FDA and therefore only special compounding pharmacies can supply these natural products. Natural compounded hormones can not be patented because they are derived from natural plant products, soy and yams and therefore any compounding pharm can make them and pharmaceutical companies can not put their names on them. Therefore, the good news for us is that they are much cheaper. The crèmes that are sold OTC at healthfood stores are simply the raw materials from wild yam herb and they are not effective because our bodies lack the ability to convert this herb into progesterone. Compounding pharmacists convert the dioscorea into progesterone that is recognized and accepted by our bodies. They actually are hormones that are biologically identical to our own hormones. The crèmes sold in healthfood stores and the synthetics sold in regular pharmacies are not biologically identical. Which is why they have so many side effects or, in the case of progesterone (misnomer) crème found OTC in healthfood stores it is ineffective. Our bodies do not recognize the chemicals found in Premarin as natural which is why we have so many cases of side effects. Re: Re: need input Fran Donovan wrote: > women do not know about natural hormones made > from compounding pharmacies Can you tell us more about these pharmacies? I probably sound like a complete rube, but how does one get natural hormones (ie. prescription or, like progesterone cream, otc in the health food store)? Are they assayed, are they regulated by the FDA...just wondering, as I really don't want to do standard HRT. Thanks, Robyn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 13, 2002 Report Share Posted March 13, 2002 Cheryl, Perhaps, which is why it is vital to balance the estrogen substances (natural hormones, soy products, isoflavones) with natural progesterone from a compounding pharm Re: Re: need input In a message dated 3/13/02 9:04:51 AM Pacific Standard Time, fdonovan@... writes: > However, most women do not know about natural hormones made > from compounding pharmacies nor do they understand that > without some form of replacement(soy products, isoflavone > products, natural hormones) they will be subject to the same > risks as men for cardiovascular disease and many of them > will either get osteoporosis or will lose bone density mass. > > Hope this clears up my philosophy..... > But, aren't women with fibroids at a risk of causing fibroid growth if they take any kind of hormone supplement, or even if they eat too many soy products? Cheryl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 13, 2002 Report Share Posted March 13, 2002 Cheryl, Perhaps, which is why it is vital to balance the estrogen substances (natural hormones, soy products, isoflavones) with natural progesterone from a compounding pharm Re: Re: need input In a message dated 3/13/02 9:04:51 AM Pacific Standard Time, fdonovan@... writes: > However, most women do not know about natural hormones made > from compounding pharmacies nor do they understand that > without some form of replacement(soy products, isoflavone > products, natural hormones) they will be subject to the same > risks as men for cardiovascular disease and many of them > will either get osteoporosis or will lose bone density mass. > > Hope this clears up my philosophy..... > But, aren't women with fibroids at a risk of causing fibroid growth if they take any kind of hormone supplement, or even if they eat too many soy products? Cheryl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 13, 2002 Report Share Posted March 13, 2002 Fran Donovan wrote: > Yes, natural hormones are regulated by the FDA and therefore > only special compounding pharmacies can supply these natural > products. > > The crèmes that are sold OTC at healthfood stores are > simply the raw materials from wild yam herb and they are not > effective because our bodies lack the ability to convert > this herb into progesterone. Um, actually, this isn't true. " Natural " hormones are not all regulated by the FDA. (Please define your use of this term " natural " -- as it has several ways in which one could define it.) And, progesterone creams sold OTC at health food stores may indeed contain USP Progesterone -- and not simply " raw materials from wild yam " . In fact, the majority of these creams contain ~400mg USP progesterone per ounce. For a partial list of OTC creams containing USP Progesterone (as verified via outside lab), check page 273 of Dr. Love's Hormone Book. Of course, one could still argue that micronized progesterone obtained via compounding pharmacy is superior, in terms of absorption, but since there seems to be little to no standardization of this product (according to Dr. Love), even that is questionable. The chapter " Hormones: The Menu of Options " in Dr. Love's Hormone book contains a fairly interesting discussion of natural vs. synthetic and progesterone vs. progestin. Both eye opening and extremely confusing. Dr. Love's closing statement in this chapter: " ...any woman taking hormones has to realize that she's part of a large experiment. " Given the quality of conflicting scientific evidence currently available, I wholeheartedly agree. And, while everyone else waits for the Women's Health Initiative to shed some light on all of this in 2008, I won't be holding my breath at all. A lot of time, money, and energy spent on this study. But the arms of the hormone study my mother participated in were flawed. Seriously. IMNSHO, GIGO. (She also participated in a dietary arm which was much, much better and I do look forward to that information -- but simply have little hope for the hormone data collected.) Carla Dionne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 13, 2002 Report Share Posted March 13, 2002 Fran Donovan wrote: > Yes, natural hormones are regulated by the FDA and therefore > only special compounding pharmacies can supply these natural > products. > > The crèmes that are sold OTC at healthfood stores are > simply the raw materials from wild yam herb and they are not > effective because our bodies lack the ability to convert > this herb into progesterone. Um, actually, this isn't true. " Natural " hormones are not all regulated by the FDA. (Please define your use of this term " natural " -- as it has several ways in which one could define it.) And, progesterone creams sold OTC at health food stores may indeed contain USP Progesterone -- and not simply " raw materials from wild yam " . In fact, the majority of these creams contain ~400mg USP progesterone per ounce. For a partial list of OTC creams containing USP Progesterone (as verified via outside lab), check page 273 of Dr. Love's Hormone Book. Of course, one could still argue that micronized progesterone obtained via compounding pharmacy is superior, in terms of absorption, but since there seems to be little to no standardization of this product (according to Dr. Love), even that is questionable. The chapter " Hormones: The Menu of Options " in Dr. Love's Hormone book contains a fairly interesting discussion of natural vs. synthetic and progesterone vs. progestin. Both eye opening and extremely confusing. Dr. Love's closing statement in this chapter: " ...any woman taking hormones has to realize that she's part of a large experiment. " Given the quality of conflicting scientific evidence currently available, I wholeheartedly agree. And, while everyone else waits for the Women's Health Initiative to shed some light on all of this in 2008, I won't be holding my breath at all. A lot of time, money, and energy spent on this study. But the arms of the hormone study my mother participated in were flawed. Seriously. IMNSHO, GIGO. (She also participated in a dietary arm which was much, much better and I do look forward to that information -- but simply have little hope for the hormone data collected.) Carla Dionne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 13, 2002 Report Share Posted March 13, 2002 Fran Donovan wrote: > Yes, natural hormones are regulated by the FDA and therefore > only special compounding pharmacies can supply these natural > products. > > The crèmes that are sold OTC at healthfood stores are > simply the raw materials from wild yam herb and they are not > effective because our bodies lack the ability to convert > this herb into progesterone. Um, actually, this isn't true. " Natural " hormones are not all regulated by the FDA. (Please define your use of this term " natural " -- as it has several ways in which one could define it.) And, progesterone creams sold OTC at health food stores may indeed contain USP Progesterone -- and not simply " raw materials from wild yam " . In fact, the majority of these creams contain ~400mg USP progesterone per ounce. For a partial list of OTC creams containing USP Progesterone (as verified via outside lab), check page 273 of Dr. Love's Hormone Book. Of course, one could still argue that micronized progesterone obtained via compounding pharmacy is superior, in terms of absorption, but since there seems to be little to no standardization of this product (according to Dr. Love), even that is questionable. The chapter " Hormones: The Menu of Options " in Dr. Love's Hormone book contains a fairly interesting discussion of natural vs. synthetic and progesterone vs. progestin. Both eye opening and extremely confusing. Dr. Love's closing statement in this chapter: " ...any woman taking hormones has to realize that she's part of a large experiment. " Given the quality of conflicting scientific evidence currently available, I wholeheartedly agree. And, while everyone else waits for the Women's Health Initiative to shed some light on all of this in 2008, I won't be holding my breath at all. A lot of time, money, and energy spent on this study. But the arms of the hormone study my mother participated in were flawed. Seriously. IMNSHO, GIGO. (She also participated in a dietary arm which was much, much better and I do look forward to that information -- but simply have little hope for the hormone data collected.) Carla Dionne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 13, 2002 Report Share Posted March 13, 2002 Thanks for the explanation. So, can my gynocologist prescribe these natural hormones? Robyn ran Donovan wrote: > > Robyn, > > Yes, natural hormones are regulated by the FDA and therefore > only special compounding pharmacies can supply these natural > products. Natural compounded hormones can not be patented > because they are derived from natural plant products, soy > and yams and therefore any compounding pharm can make them > and pharmaceutical companies can not put their names on > them. Therefore, the good news for us is that they are much > cheaper. > > The crèmes that are sold OTC at healthfood stores are > simply the raw materials from wild yam herb and they are not > effective because our bodies lack the ability to convert > this herb into progesterone. Compounding pharmacists > convert the dioscorea into progesterone that is recognized > and accepted by our bodies. > They actually are hormones that are biologically identical > to our own hormones. The crèmes sold in healthfood stores > and the synthetics sold in regular pharmacies are not > biologically identical. Which is why they have so many side > effects or, in the case of progesterone (misnomer) crème > found OTC in healthfood stores it is ineffective. > > Our bodies do not recognize the chemicals found in Premarin > as natural which is why we have so many cases of side > effects. > Re: Re: need input > > Fran Donovan wrote: > > > women do not know about natural hormones made > > from compounding pharmacies > > Can you tell us more about these pharmacies? I probably > sound like a > complete rube, but how does one get natural hormones (ie. > prescription > or, like progesterone cream, otc in the health food store)? > Are they > assayed, are they regulated by the FDA...just wondering, as > I really > don't want to do standard HRT. Thanks, Robyn > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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