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 | ESTROGEN DEFICIENCY DISEASE: a.k.a. MENOPAUSE April 8, 1997 |
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Questions asked
in this forum:
Could severe reactions to birth control pills contraindicate Hormone Replacement Therapy later in life? How effective are "natural" hormones as an alternative to traditional medicines? Should women with a history of breast cancer avoid estrogen therapy? Are there studies looking at the relationship between menopause and lost time at work? Could women in their 80s and 90s risk overdosing their systems with by taking estrogen? Additional Comments
NewsHour Links
March 27, 1997:
Reversing a recent panel of medical experts, The American Cancer Society advises women in their 40's to receive annual mammograms.
January 24, 1997:
National medical experts meeting in Washington, D.C. say women in their 40's should decide for themselves whether to have annual mammograms.
OUTSIDE LINKS
A position paper on the pro's and con's of taking estrogen at the onset of menopause.
An extensive reading list on menopause.ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Marjorie Dobyns, Port Austin, MI:
Menopause as a disease
I strongly take exception to terming a natural occcurance as a disease. It is disgraceful to frighten women by telling them that when they hit 50 or so years of age, they will "catch" a disease. Is going through puberty a disease? It involves hormonal changes, as does menopause.
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Maureen Crocker, Denver, CO:
Natural Hormone Therapies
I have been reading journal articles that indicate that progesterone is really the bone-builder, not estrogen. More and more of my friends are using wild yam cream for natural progesterone combined with natural estrogen-like herbs or no estrogen at all.
I am more comfortable using natural products. What is your opinion of the effectiveness of natural progesterone taken through creams to prevent osteoporosis? Also, do we really need to take estrogen replacement?
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Martha Del Giudice, Smithtown, NY:
Dr. Love:
I agreed with much of what you stated in your recent article in the New York Times. I think it is unfortunate that the language of menopause, for so many authors, is negative:depletion, wearing out, deficiency, atrophy. I think this is because, it was previously (presently?) assumed that the only function of the ovary was reproductive. Further research into the role of the ovary in post and perimenopausal life is required. I am sure that we will learn that the ovaries continue to function, in new and perhaps different ways. Perhaps then we will have a more positive way to view our unique and wondrous selves as we age.
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Donna Sullivan, Fiskdale, MS:
I am a 50 year old woman starting into menopause.I am trying to decide whether to use HRT. I have concerns with both sides of the issue.
I don't trust doctors 100%, especially with women's issues. They push drugs, hysterectomies, and other things on women instead of looking at safer options such as nutrition and exercise.
I think the drug companies will make billions on us if we all chose HRT and doctors get a chunk of that.
In addition, there have been no long term studies on HRT use. Such studies are now finally underway but the results are not in. Putting women on drugs for 20 - 30 years without first looking at other ways to deal with the problems is excessive. How many doctors are trained (or interested) in teaching us about nutrition and exercise instead of drug therapy. I haven't met many.
I also personnally don't like the "pushing" of Premarin because of the well documented abuse of the pregnant mares used to produce it.
I am not opposed to HRT for limited use. But I feel it is being pushed on use without good studies behind it and because it is an easy out for doctors when many other "natural" therapies might work as well.
In Dr. Love's book she recommends taking it for a few years if menopausal symtoms are bad, and then stopping and revisiting the question at a later time. That makes sense to me instead of signing up for HRt for life. That is the strategy I intend to use.
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Judy Parker, Menasha, WI:
It would appear that there are two clear sides to the replacement hormone theory. It seems a menopausal woman should read as much as she can on the subject and then make an informed decision.
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Betty Davis, Atlanta, GA:
I have been reading Dr. John R. Lee's book on natural progesterone, which he strongly recommends instead of estrogen or other HRT drugs. I don't know! I haven't finished the book yet, but I have been taking estrace for several years now. (Actually two or three years of experiments and then about 6 years of estrace.) My doctor suggests taking estrogen for the rest of my life. I am thinking of asking him to read this book. I would like to hear your opinion . The book is "What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause." ______________________________________________
Melva M. Dixon, Salt Lake City, UT:
I am 52 years old and have relatively few problems going through menopause. I am physically active, jogging about 3 or 4 times a week about 2 to 3 miles each time. I ski and also do work routines to keep in shape. I am in good health and enjoy a fairly active lifestyle.
I have a physical checkup each year and for the past several years my doctor has strongly encouraged me to start estrogen replacement therapy. The only symptom I've had is a few mild hot flashes which don't last but a minute or two. And recently I haven't had many at all. My philosophy is, "If it ain't broken, don't fix it." I've had a couple of friends start ERT and they've ended up with blood clots.
I haven't had a hysterectomy. I have very serious reservations about starting estrogen. I have read the literature my doctor has given me about the benefits of ERT and still am unsure that I should begin it. My doctor says she recommends it to all her patients. I just don't want to create any problems for myself that don't exist now. I would like any recommendations or advice. Maybe I should add that my mother is 81, has taken two falls within the last 2 years, but has not broken any bones.
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