|
|
The new additions to the parade of symptoms caused by hormone imbalance after 40 is the development of chronic illnesses. These are diseases of aging. They appear because our hormones are now dwindling and no righting mechanism for the balance of the hormones exists any longer. Our ovaries make little or no estrogen and progesterone regardless of how much our hypothalamus and pituitary demand it. Aging, loss of estrogen and progesterone now turns symptoms into illnesses. However, if we prevent the damage produced by the permanent loss of hormones, we can prevent illnesses.
|
| OSTEOPOROSIS
|
Estrogen stimulates bone production and inhibits the action of osteoclasts, the cells that destroy bone tissue. When the levels of estrogen diminish in later years, the positive effects of estrogen on the bone structure dwindle. Genetic predisposition to osteoporosis, taking anti-estrogen medications (tamoxifen) or steroids (prednisone) for serious medical problems, eating a diet poor in calcium and vitamin D, living sedentary lives, avoiding sun exposure, are all contributing factors to osteoporosis. If genetic make-up and age combine to increase the risk of osteoporosis, hormone supplementation, diet, weight bearing and strength building exercises, will slow down the progression of this chronic illness.
|
| HEART DISEASE
|
By the age of 50, women catch up with men in the incidence of heart disease. Estrogen depletion is one reason why. Genetics, smoking, obesity, lack of exercise, and high animal fat diets are contributing factors as well. Unfortunately, until ten years ago, no study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of estrogen deficiency on the female heart and to establish a safe and successful program for prevention of heart disease in women. The PEPI trials, published in The Journal of the American Medical Association in 1999 and the Archives of Medicine were the first to look at the Post-Menopausal Estrogen/Progestin Interventions. The results were interesting yet not reassuring. Women who had been taking synthetic estrogen replacement therapy had a lower risk of getting heart disease only after many years of therapy. For those women who took HRT for only a year, the risk of heart disease was the same as for women who did not take HRT at all. Presently, The Womens' Health Initiative is still studying the effects of hormone replacement on the female heart. The results are conflicting and contradictory. All we know is that statistically women after 50 have the same incidence of heart disease as men. We can infer that there is a correlation between that fact and that women over 50 are in menopause and have low levels of estrogen and progesterone. While research is being developed and studies are created, I strongly believe that natural hormones supplementation, heart protective diet, exercise and behavior modification techniques are absolute musts in the fight against heart disease regardless of age.
|
| ALZHEIMER'S
|
Estrogen depletion has been directly implicated in the increased incidence of Alzheimer's in older women. Estrogen's direct effect on the brain is stimulatory while progesterone's is balancing and calming. Without the proper balance between estrogen and progesterone, deterioration of the brain can lead to Alzheimer's. Genetics, life-style issues and diet are contributory as well. Recent studies in the Archives of Internal Medicine have raised questions about the role of estrogen supplementation in the progression of Alzheimer's. Designer estrogens-raloxifene- were developed to specifically address the beneficial effects of estrogen on the brain. To date studies have failed to substantiate any of the claims made by these drugs.
|
| CANCER
|
The aging process is intertwined with the development of chronic and often severe illnesses. Older women and men with low sex hormone levels have higher incidences of various forms of cancer. Before we jump to the conclusion that hormones cause cancer, let us remember that the pregnant woman with her very high levels of circulating hormones does not often get cancer. Actually her hormones appear to provide her with protection from serious illnesses. Cancer's connection to hormones is under constant scrutiny from our medical community. The rise in cancer rates in women taking synthetic hormone replacements is the source of heated debates. In Chapter 9, we address the issue of cancer and its connection to synthetic hormones based on a thorough and in-depth evaluation of the scientific literature available to date. It is often the case that unscrupulous people use the fear cancer elicits to force women into unfortunate choices in their health care.
We have now established two very important building blocks.
1. Hormone imbalances cause specific symptoms and these symptoms are present and can be easily identified throughout our lives. They are not limited to menopause or premenopause. From the first three chapters, we 2. can now name these symptoms, correctly identify them when they appear, and connect them to specific hormones being out of balance.
In the next two chapters, we will address the kinds of treatments available to us at the present time. I have chosen to break them down into conventional and alternative treatments. Although I believe that you will find that neither side offers the perfect solution, I want to give you a solid overview to prepare you for what your physician may tell you, or what a health food store has to offer.
Adapted from The Hormone Solution by Erika Schwartz, M.D. Buy the complete book for $13.99 including postage.
|
Supplements for Women
