Estrogen supplements - safe or deadly - blog - Sister to Sister

June 12, 2019, Menopause hormone supplement dangers

Many women are on Premarin, an estrogen supplement.  Premarin is prescribed to limit osteoporosis (brittle bones) and reduce heart disease in women over 50.  But The Women's Health Initiative showed that the Premarin 'family of drugs' caused MAJOR side effects: heart attacks, cancer, blood clots, breast cancer, uterine cancer and strokes. It also increases your chance of getting dementia.

Premarin® stands for Pregnant Mares' Urine (PREgnant MARes' urINe). Premarin (including Prempro, Premphase, Prempac, Premelle, Aprella & Duavee) is a drug made up of conjugated estrogen obtained from the urine of pregnant mares -- put out in many forms (pills, creams, injections, patches, vaginal rings) and is used to reduce the symptoms of menopause in women or women who have had a hysterectomy.

The simplest and most natural approach to the treatment of menopause is to adopt a healthy lifestyle in regard to diet, exercise and stress management. Not only will this help alleviate symptoms but the benefits will also ensure that you remain healthy now and in the future.

Avoid refined and processed foods, choose more whole foods, fresh fruit, vegetables and complex carbohydrates. Avoid high fat dairy products and meats and supplement these items with healthy fats such as olive oil, nuts, seeds and lean cuts of meat or fish. Additionally, practice portion control and avoid empty calorie foods.

Exercise is vital to keeping symptoms in check. Exercise directly affects hormonal activities in the body by raising the level of endorphins, for example, to maintain emotional stability and suppress anxiety. Moreover, the benefits are unsurpassed: maintenance of muscle and joint strength, increased metabolism, reduced weight, improved cardiovascular health, increased cognitive function, maintenance of bone integrity, and the list goes on.

It is a well known fact that stress triggers more severe hot flashes. There are many stress-reduction techniques available to manage the burden of everyday anxiety – rest, relaxation, varied leisure activities, and most importantly self-affirming thoughts to maintain self-image and confidence.

Bio-identical hormones are synthesized in the lab from plant sources  that closely mimic natural hormones produced in the body since they possess the same molecular structure. There are many indications that bio-identical hormones pose far less risk for the human species than conventional therapies such as Premarin.

Dietary phytoestrogens are naturally occurring substances (Isoflavins) found in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains such as soybeans, alfalfa sprouts, and oil seeds (such as flax seed). There is some evidence that they have a weak estrogen-like effect that may reduce the intensity and frequency of hot flashes. Eating natural foods that contain these compounds is safe but there are also non-prescription supplements on the market for which there is no long-term safety data.

Estriol can be used to treat hot flashes and other symptoms and helps in maintaining bone density. However, two studies have recently shown that estriol causes stimulation endometrial cells.

There is some evidence that natural progesterone is useful in the treatment of hot flashes but no evidence that it benefits bone density. Examples include: topical progesterone creams and oral progestins. DHEA, Dehydroepiandrosterone is an estrogen precursor meaning it is converted to estrogen and possibly some testosterone in the body. This may or may not increase levels of estrogen in the body naturally.

There is also convincing evidence that some prescription drugs such as SSRIs, SNRIs, Gabapentin and Clonadine, which are not licensed for treating menopausal symptoms do in fact alleviate hot flashes and night sweats. These are powerful drugs yet in severe cases some doctors may be willing to prescribe one of these treatments, with the patient’s consent.

Herbal medicines are readily available however caution is advised since they can contain powerful ingredients that may not be compatable with other prescription drugs and/or may have adverse effects on certain individuals. Some examples include: Black Cohosh for hot flashes and sweating, Kava to reduce anxiety, Ginko to decrease the risk of onset of dementia and St. John’s Wort as an anti-depressant. No substantiated medical studies are available for these medicines and most do not have to comply with the stringent safety, quality and manufacturing regulations that govern conventional medicines.

If you have a menopause issue, keep looking for help.  It may take time to find what works for your beautiful body. Something will help you and it is out there waiting to be found.

Do not succumb to pharmacology's advertisements. Be aware that the word, 'significant' in the drug industry means a minimum of 5%. Significant results in significant patients means 5% of patients experienced 5% results. Are you willing to risk the side effects because one person in twenty has 5% improvement. How can you even know you had 5% improvement it is so slight.

In the drug industry, 'significant' means the patient is pretty sure there is some improvement but not enough to really be sure. For years, I though significant was like substantial and meant a lot.

Oh, by the way, did you know that a drug does not legally have to do anything to be sold as a drug for a medical problem. In fact, I know of two drugs that were pulled because they did not help at all and people died from side effect. I don't remember what one drug was supposed to do, but I do remember a lot of hype about the first drug that was supposed to drastically help people with IBS. I noticed and remembered because my daughter has IBS which at one time was very bad, her weight dropping to 82 pounds, which is a bit on the light side for five foot six. By the time the drug was on the market she had learned to control her IBS with diet. Too many people died from that drug before the government noticed it did not help anyone. The government will allow deaths if some people experience some improvement while on a drug.

When a drug is tested, there are two groups of patients, one on a placebo (sugar pill) and the other group on the drug. The placebo cure (yep, sugar pills can cure some people) is about 3%.  The  drug group has to be 5% to be classified as an effective drug. If you figure 3% was placebo effect, only 2% could be drug effect.  And it doesn't matter how many people die or have terrible side effect, the drug company can sell the dru;g as a viable drug.

Yes, I, too, was stunned when I discovered this.

If you are thinking about taking a drug for your problems, do your own research and find the answer to you special needs. You may be able to use natural methods to control your problem or you may have to take a drug. If you are taking a drug, do your research. If you doctor tries to reassure you when you ask about the 'may cause death' on the list of side effects, remember, someone or someones died or that would not be listed as a side effect.

This is one of those times when YOU get to make the decision but YOU need to research and find alll the facts you can beforeYOU make the best decision for your special circumstances. You are unique.