There are already plenty of good reasons to avoid using synthetic hormones, as these have been clearly linked to serious health problems such as breast cancer, heart disease, and other debilitating and potentially deadly health concerns. A new study has now been released which indicates a significant increase in fatalities from certain types of lung cancer in women who were also using synthetic hormones to treat menopause symptoms. (Link to article: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090530/ap_on_he_me/us_med_hormones_lung_cancer_4)

The study is the latest conclusion from on ongoing federal research project called The Women’s Health Initiative that has been continuing since the late 1990s. Various clinical studies have analyzed the effects of synthetic hormones, and the news is not good. In fact, one phase of the research had to be halted prematurely in 2002 because an alarming percentage of the participants (women given Prempro, an artificial estrogen-progestin compound manufactured by Wyeth Pharmaceuticals) were developing breast cancer.

This latest connection between lung cancer deaths and synthetic hormones indicates a frightening 60% increase in lung cancer deaths (for patients with non-small-cell lung cancers, the most common type) in women who were also using artificial hormones.

Specifics of the study reveal that the increase in death rates was found almost exclusively in participants who had been using synthetic hormones for less than five years. This information blows a hole in one of the recommendations that has been issued by the FDA and medical authorities stemming from the Women’s Health Initiative Studies. They are telling women that the short-term use of synthetic hormones (in the two-year range) is relatively safe. Obviously, it isn’t very safe for lung cancer patients. This is just additional evidence for the increased danger of these hazardous drugs, especially for women who smoke (probably a large percentage of lung cancer patients). Smoking while using synthetic hormones has already proven to raise the risk of strokes, heart attacks, and other types of coronary disease.

The truly ironic thing about this whole issue is that synthetic hormones, a multi-million dollar money-maker for Big Pharma, are typically prescribed for treating the symptoms of menopause as if it were a disease — which it is not. So, we have women using these highly risky drugs and they are not even sick!

In many cultures around the world, this time of life for women is considered a natural phase that is not to be feared or demonized, but rather, menopause is accepted and even welcomed. Menopause is simply a process that transitions women from their child-bearing years into a later stage of life that can open doors for new challenges and opportunities. Menopause is marked a villain here in the U.S., a “disease” to be avoided and thus medicated. The pharmaceutical companies recognize this and indeed contribute to it. They also capitalize on it by pushing the use of synthetic hormones that literally risk the lives of the women who use them. Risking lives in the name of medicine (first — do no harm) with the results being that more health concerns are created and deeper pockets are being filled for the doctors who push them and the pharmaceutical companies that make them.

Again, menopause is not an illness, but there are some symptoms that can be difficult to manage for many women. Synthetic hormones are definitely not the answer because, as we continue to see, they add more health concerns. How many times do we have to bang our head against the wall about this before we say “No More”? There ARE answers that work by using natural, safe ways to deal with the symptoms of menopause and PMS. These include:

• Bio-identical USP progesterone: The use of bio-identical hormone replacement is one of the most effective ways to deal with menopause, helping to achieve hormone balance without the dangers connected to synthetic hormones. Just because a conventional practitioner says there is no bHRT science, does not mean it doesn’t work. (By the way, there is plenty of science but it is ignored.) It just means that he/she is most likely not educated in bHRT.
• Eat Healthy: The importance of an organic diet that is whole-foods based and includes an abundance of raw foods such as fruits and vegetables along with healthy fats cannot be overemphasized. It is foundational to the healing of the body and mind. Eliminate animal fat, which will only worsen menopause symptoms (and your overall health), especially if eating meat and dairy that is laced with added hormones. Refuse to knowingly put chemicals into or on your body. This will increase the hormonal imbalance in your body.
• Natural Phytoestrogens: Get natural estrogen from the natural phytoestrogens in foods. This will go a long way toward helping with symptoms without being harmful to your body.
• Cut down on stress: Even better than cutting down would be to eliminate stress completely. Yes, it takes work, but it can be done. Stress is a silent killer. Learn deep breathing techniques, take walks in nature, read up-lifting books, listen to relaxing music, get 30 minutes’ worth of unprotected sunshine every day, cultivate friendships and hobbies. Women who have adrenal stress will have a very difficult time in balancing their hormones if they do not deal with/eliminate stress in their life.
• Thyroid: Get your thyroid correctly checked and in balance. See my blog article Balancing The Thyroid Naturally.
• Exercise: If one is over-weight, they are most likely estrogen dominant. Excess estrogen is stored in fat cells. Daily exercise helps to eliminate fat and thus helps the body to get rid of excess estrogen. You don’t have to run a marathon or sweat buckets every day. Using a rebounder for 15-20 minutes/day or taking a brisk 30 minute walk will do wonders at alleviating fat from the body.
• Natural vitamin E: The use of natural, mixed vitamin E (that the body can recognize and use) is especially helpful for symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats.
• Vitex: Chaste berry is a herb that acts as a natural progesterone precursor. Many women use it during the days of the month in which they are not using bio-identical progesterone. Note that it can take 4-5 months for the effects of Vitex to take place.
• Vaginal Dryness: I have just developed a product called Her Oasis which addresses vaginal dryness and irritation. It contains the highest quality of organic Aloe Vera, natural Vitamin E and Sea Buckthorn Root.

Ladies, it is time to stand up and take responsibility for your health and well-being. Do your own research. The pharmaceutical companies do not have anyone’s best interest at heart, nor do they care about getting to the root of health concerns. Many doctors get their continuing education from pharmaceutical reps and therefore know nothing about bio-identical hormone therapy. The pharmaceutical companies are about symptom relief, quick fixes and getting your money in their pockets. Decide to take back control of your health. Give your body, in natural ways, what it needs to be supported and healthy. Give it time to heal and repair. Decide FOR health and well-being and not fads. Ultimately, you will be so thankful that you took the time to educate yourself about what is really healthy and best for your situation. In the long run, you will begin to remember what it feels like to have true health and well-being.

Suggested Reading

Nutritional Powerhouse: Sea Buckthorn
New Study Indicates Further Dangers of Conventional Hormone Replacement Therapy

This entry was posted on Wednesday, June 3rd, 2009 at 10:41 PM and is filed under Women's Hormones. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.