Cardiovascular
Disease
A
large US study of cardiovascular risk factors in women taking
various estrogen / progestin replacement regimens was published
in the Journal of the American Medical Association. 2
Referred to as the PEPI Trial, it confirmed the fact that
synthetic progestins partially negate the beneficial effects
on cholesterol levels that result from taking estrogen. Natural
progesterone, on the other hand, maintains all the benefits
of estrogen on cholesterol without any of the side effects
associated with synthetic progestins (such as fluid retention,
irritability and depression).
Menopause
Mayo
Clinic researchers surveyed 176 women taking natural micronised
progesterone who had previously taken synthetic progestins
to see if natural progesterone, when compared to synthetics,
made a difference in the women’s overall quality of
life, menopausal symptoms, and satisfaction with HRT. After
one to six months, the women reported an overall 34% increase
in satisfaction on micronised progesterone compared to their
previous HRT.
Miyagawa
and Frank of Oregon Health Sciences University showed that
progesterone plus estradiol protected against vasospasm, but
estradiol did not. Based on the results presented here, formulations
of natural progesterone would appear to offer the wiser alternative.
3
Osteoporosis
Dr
John Lee, in his book Natural Progesterone prescribes natural
progesterone, a diet rich in vegetables and grains to serve
as a source of calcium and magnesium and modest exercise.
Dr. Lee conducted a study of 100 postmenopausal women. Bone
mineral density (BMD) was monitored and observed an increase
in BMD by 15% ( indicating a reversal of osteoporosis) . Therapy
produced relief of bone pain, increased physical activity,
height stabilisation and fracture prevention. The benefits
of progesterone were independent of age, time from menopause,
or estrogen use. 4
Osteoporosis
is a “silent” disease affecting 4 times more women
than men. Menopause is a known risk factor for women. Hospital
costs to address Osteoporosis in Australia currently exceed
$800 million per year and is growing.
Osteoporosis
is preventable and treatable; but because there are no warning
signs until fracture occurs, few people are currently being
diagnosed in time to receive effective therapy during the
disease’s early phase.
BHRT
not only slows the loss of bone but also increases bone density,
which helps to decrease the possibility of new fractures.
Estrogen replacement therapy is approved for both the prevention
and treatment of osteoporosis, and is effective even when
started after age 70. Studies indicate that progesterone plays
an important role in regulating new bone formation. Progesterone
therapy is important because increased resorption (bone loss)
which occurs after menopause will not cause a net loss of
bone if it is offset by new bone formation. Testosterone therapy
may also be utilised to improve bone health. Natural HRT,
using bio-identical hormones, may minimise side effects of
hormone replacement therapy. Working together with patient
and physician, we can compound customised natural HRT to meet
your unique needs.
The role of natural progesterone as a bone-trophic hormone
was demonstrated by Dr. Prior in the progesterone receptors
in osteoblasts which mediate new bone formation. 5
Natural
Estrogens
Estrogen
is not a hormone, but a group of similar hormones with varying
degrees of activity. The three most important hormones of
this class are estrone (E1), estradiol (E2), and estriol (E3).
Estradiol is the primary estrogen produced by the ovary, and
estrone is formed by conversion of estradiol. Estrone is thought
to be the estrogen primarily responsible for breast cancer.
Estriol is produced in very large amounts during pregnancy
and is proven to be protective against breast cancer. As far
back as 1978, in the Journal of the American Medical Association,
Dr. Alvin Follingstad advocated the use of the safer form
of estrogen, estriol. He reported that 37% of postmenopausal
women with metastatic breast cancer who received small doses
of estriol had experienced remission or arrest of the metastatic
tumors. 6
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