HORMONE FACTS
Some facts you can find referenced in the 2002 edition, Hormone Replacement Therapy, Yes or No: How to Make an Informed Decision by Betty Kamen, Ph.D
~ 1997: Recommendations for hormone replacement therapy for women who do not have symptoms are currently not justified. European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology & Reproductive Biology.
~ 1996: Estrogen therapy is associated with a large increase in risk of endometrial cancer, an association that almost certainly is a causal one. Maturitas
~ 1994: Dietary fiber in your diet affects the way prescribed estrogen is metabolized in your liver. Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association.
~ 1990: Undesirable effects of estrogen are hard to avoid when estrogen is taken orally. Drugs.
~ 1996: Women with irregular menstrual cycles or other gynecological problems may be at increased risk for chronic fatigue syndrome. Abnormal production of estrogen may play a role in triggering this disease by somehow altering the immune system. This may explain why more women than men are affected by the condition. Medical Tribune News Service
~ 1996: If you are on estrogen replacement therapy, one to two glasses of wine will result in a three-fold increase in the level of estrogen circulating in your blood. Increased blood levels of estrogen may heighten your risk of breast cancer. Estrogen levels of women on estrogen replacement begin to rise within 10 minutes of taking a drink of alcohol. JAMA .
~ 2003: Normalizing progesterone levels increases your natural production of DHEA. Neuroendocrinology Letters; Gynecology & Endocrinology.
~ 1994: Progestin (synthetic progesterone) has an adverse effect on insulin resistance. It can also raise triglycerides. American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology
~ 1992: Natural progesterone shows improved lipid profiles (fat), and has no side effects. Optimal Health Guidelines
~ 1993: Natural progesterone is an attractive means of supplementation in postmenopausal HRT without any liver-related side effects. Gynecological Endocrinology.
~ 2003: Progesterone is responsible for increased female libido. This makes sense because of its associated production at the time of maximum fertility. Theriogenology.
~ 1993: With natural progesterone supplements, pregnancies which go to term are significantly better. Journal of Gynecology, Obstetrics, & Biological Reproduction.
~ 1996: Cranberry pills are more effective than cranberry juice for urinary infections. Medical Tribune News Service.
~ 1996: Progesterone promotes myelin formation in nerves of test animals. [Just think about the benefits this may have for multiple sclerosis patients.] Journal of Steroid Biochemistry & Molecular Biology.
~ 1996: Progesterone inhibits superoxide radical production. Endocrinology.
~ 1995: Progesterone might intensify bone formation and suppress bone resorption, protecting against osteoporosis. Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
~ 1996: Progesterone treatments are used for fibroids. European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology Reproductive Biology.
~ 1995: Applying progesterone vaginally leads to significantly higher concentrations and has effects on the uterine mucosa similar to those in a normal cycle. Schweiz Rundsch Med Prax.
~ 1996: Progesterone may be important in the treatment regimens for women with immunological and endocrinological reproductive failure. Human Reproduction.
~ 1987: Supplementation of progesterone beginning in the luteal phase could reduce the risk of spontaneous abortions. International Journal of Fertility.
~ 1996: The vaginal administration of progesterone for 10 days allows useful serum progesterone levels to be reached, especially after estrogen therapy, and induces clear secretary changes in the endometrium. Fertility & Sterility.
~ 1996: The most common cause of painful sexual intercourse is vaginal dryness. Medical Tribune News Service.
~ 2001: Dry-eye syndrome is an under-recognized side effect of HRT. JAMA.