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Oprah Opens the Door to Bio-identical Hormones

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February 22, 2009
	Dr. Gary Huber : Head Medical Ego

So has everyone been watching the queen of day time TV these past few weeks? Not one but two days of discussion on bio-identical hormones. And you know that if Oprah touches it then it turns to gold. I am a big fan of Oprah as I feel she has given a voice to millions of people by addressing social problems that she genuinely cares about. So I was delighted to see her address women’s hormones and blow some fresh air into the “dark ages” of medical dogma. The traditional medical community was sent scrambling for answers as to why they still prescribe known carcinogens in an age where newer and better options exist. Drug companies are nervous and leaning on their “partner” in business, the FDA, to do something to quiet this storm. For those of you that are new to the topic of bio-identical hormones you better lace up your boots missy because this is gonna blow you away.

This is a huge topic and once again there is too much to discuss in this short format. But if I can hit a few high points and stimulate most of you to continue on in your own research then I will consider this a success. Bio-Identical hormones are quite simply hormones that are synthesized from plant sterols and are an exact replica of your own genuine hormones. Traditional hormones offered by the medical community for decades have been synthetic hormones that do not mirror your own hormones. They initially came from the urine of pregnant mares. Premarin, Provera, birth control pills and other synthetic hormones are not like your own natural hormones but bio-identical hormones are. Traditional synthetic hormones CAN NOT be identical to your hormones. Why not? Because you can’t get a “patent” on a naturally occurring compound. Drug companies only have interest in synthetic compounds that can be patented and then sold for billions of dollars. And since doctors are only taught how to prescribe DRUGS in medical school they are never taught how to use bio-identical hormones. Just like the fact that physicians are taught little to nothing about food and nutrition because food is not a drug and therefore not a big money maker.

So why should you have any interest in hormones? Because human beings are the only animal on the planet that live a substantial part of their lives AFTER menopause. In the animal kingdom, once you are unable to procreate, your usefulness is minimal and you soon curl up and die. We however, go on to live for another 30 to 50 years beyond menopause yet many women feel like they have curled up and died. Without your youthful hormones your mind and cognitive abilities decline rapidly. Your bone density drops quickly leading to osteoporosis. Your coronary vessels in your heart begin to corrode, leading to atherosclerosis and heart attacks. Your stamina, sex drive, strength, and vibrancy diminish. Did you know that women that replace estrogen after menopause have a 45% reduction in heart disease?

So why don’t all physicians recommend hormones for postmenopausal patients? They did, back in the 80’s and 90’s. But at that time the overwhelming use was synthetic hormones like Premarin and Provera. A huge study called the “Women’s Health Initiative” showed that these “synthetic” hormones lead to higher rates of heart disease, cancer, blood clots, and dementia in such alarming numbers that they had to stop the study prematurely due to the ethical concerns over the outcomes. This is where the hysteria regarding HORMONES comes from. You mention the word hormones and women jump back in fear. But bio-identical hormones are 100% different than the hormones used in those studies. Bio-identical hormones are an exact replica of the hormones your body has produced throughout your reproductive years.

So can bio-identical hormones be used safely? I believe the evidence is clear that they can. You need to work with a clinician who is experienced in their use and work to “balance” the progesterone and estrogen signal, in concert with your testosterone, thyroid and cortisol. Achieving this can have an incredible impact on the quality of your life. It is unnecessary to suffer from hot flashes, night sweats, poor sleep patterns, hair loss, and irregular menses. But more importantly, the health benefits to your heart, brain, bone and general function will add life to your years. But whatever you do don’t fear hormones. Hormones in and of themselves do not cause cancer. Oprah pointed her spotlight on an issue that could save many women from years of unnecessary suffering. Understand your hormones and appreciate that they are a natural part of your physiology.

The conversation I frequently find myself involved in is when a women states she wants to go through menopause “naturally.” Taking bio-identical hormones is not natural, but it is a healthy alternative to the natural course of events. The natural course of events is a decay of your mind and body that naturally occurs without your natural hormones. That’s fine and I strongly support a woman’s right to choose. The irony comes when you examine the rest of the individual’s lifestyle. The chair you are sitting in right now is likely not made of natural materials. Our clothes have many synthetic fibers and colors and are often laundered with fabric softeners and fragrances that are not natural. The foods we eat are covered in chemicals, many of which are harmful xeno-estrogens, heated in very unnatural microwave ovens and stored in plastic full of xenoestrogens. Our cars are far from natural and the exhaust is a petrochemical with heavy metals and other toxins. We live in such a toxic environment that a newborn baby arrives with 300 synthetic compounds in its body on the day of its birth. Bottom line there is very little “natural” left in our typical daily lives. I think the desire for many women to stay natural through menopause is a reflection of the distrust of hormones. Understandable given the seedy past of hormones in this country but I encourage every woman (and man) to read and learn the true wonders that bio-identical hormones have to offer us. I would recommend reading Dr. Christiane Northrups book “The Secret Pleasures of Menopause” or look at one of Suzanne Somers books, “Ageless” or “The Sexy Years.” Don’t let fear guide your actions when it comes to your health. Be an informed proactive participant in your own outcome.

Having said all that, I wish to be clear that hormone replacement is a very personal choice and you should never let someone “strong-arm you” into taking ANY hormones. If you do chose to do bio-identical hormones then ask lots of questions of your practitioner. Make sure your doctor is monitoring hormone metabolites such as estrone to estradiol ratio, 2-hydroxy-estrone vs 16-hydroxy-estrone ratios, DHT, sex hormone binding globulin, progesterone to estradiol ratio and other markers. Make sure you are checking mammograms and PAP’s yearly. But treat yourself well by at least learning more about this important issue.