Bioidentical Hormones: Managing change

Bioidentical Hormones:  Managing change

From Alternatives Newsletter April 2006

Fluctuating hormones are a natural part of aging.  But the physical, mental and emotional upheavals that come with “the change” in life often wreak havoc that interferes with daily living for thousands of women.  What’s worse, these symptoms – there are up to 35 – can last for years.  Hot flashes, mood swings, irregular and painful periods, yeast and urinary tract infections, afflict many women during this time of life.
Menopause is defined as the stage in life when a woman has not had her menstrual cycle for one year.  But many of the most troublesome symptoms of this change actually occur in peri-menopause, a transitional stage of two to ten years before menopause when hormones are fluctuating wildly.
“Research has shown that only about 20 percent of women survive menopause with no symptoms,” said Dr. Patricia Ryan.  “The rest experience problems that range from mild to severe.  Some women manage these changes with diet and exercise.  There are also various herbs, such as chasteberry and black cohosh, which can help,” she added.
“But as hormones wane, many women will feel better only by re-balancing their hormonal systems.  And the best way to do that is through bio-identical hormones,” Ryan said.  “Bio-identical hormones have the same molecular structure as the hormones made by a woman’s body.  Interest in bio-identical hormones surged when research conducted through the Women’s Health Initiative showed that synthetic hormones may carry health drawbacks, including cancer risks,” Dr. Ryan said.
To prescribe bio-identical hormones, levels in a woman are tested and then precise dosages of bio-identical estrogen, progesterone, testosterone and/or DHEA are written to meet that woman’s individual needs.  For more information about bio-identical hormones, contact Dr. Patricia Ryan.

Omaha woman:  Back in balance

Sonya Crane, an Omaha mother of three with a background in human development, had always been healthy.  Suddenly, at age 39, she was plagued with a number of disturbing symptoms such as severe memory loss and muscle weakness, fatigue, anxiety and insomnia.  “I’d forget to pick up my daughter,” she said.  A former track athlete, Sonya had trouble walking up a flight of stairs.  “When it came to cooking, all I had energy to do was boil water,” she added.  A doctor referred her to a neurologist to rule out Multiple Sclerosis.  And Sonya thought she might have cancer because she was so weak. 

Several rounds of blood tests didn’t identify the problem.  However, one test showed that the estrogen in her system was abnormally low for her age.  Knowing the importance of hormones, Sonya tried to convince her doctors to conduct more tests, but they wouldn’t agree.  After all, she was only 39, younger than the normal onset of menopause.

So Sonya arranged for the tests herself.  “I spent $650 on a hormone test through a pharmacy,” she said, “and found out my testosterone, progesterone and estrogen levels were all too low.”

Doctors offered mood stabilizers and sleeping pills.   Sonya opted for hormones, but not the synthetic variety many doctors prescribe.  Instead, she requested bio-identical hormones as a solution to balance her system, because she felt they would more closely mimic her body’s own hormonal make-up.

“By the third day on bio-identical hormones, I was back to my old self again.  I was cooking and baking, and my house was clean.  All my symptoms went away and I feel much happier, more patient and loving towards my children and husband – not to mention having the energy to care for my family, which has always been the highlight of my life!  I’m speaking out because I’m a woman’s and family advocate and if a woman loses her health, she’s unable to care for her family and be loving to her husband.  That’s why women should find doctors who are willing to prescribe optimal levels of bio-identical hormones.”  

Sonya said that Dr. Ryan will continue to monitor her hormone levels to help her achieve optimal balance.  For more information about bio-identical hormones, contact Dr. Patricia Ryan, a professional preventative medicine doctor.