Who Knows the Truth About Menopause?

Who can we believe? A well-known fact is that in the past most medical studies have only involved males and male medical issues. As more women entered the medical field, that has changed. Perhaps because so few studies included women's issues, it was quite common in the 50's and 60's to prescribe Estrogen to menopausal women to reduce symptoms. It wasn't until 2000, that a study was completed, with the conclusion that standard HRT (hormone replacement therapy) may cause breast cancer in some women. Women were confused. And still are.

Doctors have prescribed bio-identical hormone compounds for years. This was considered "alternative medicine" and not part of the mainstream AMA-approved regimen. There are many good books written on the use of Bio-identical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT, as Lynn mentioned).

This blog is not meant to offer detailed medical advice, but I can recommend some reading by reliable authors that covers the subjects of menopause and BHRT pretty thoroughly. 

• Remember Suzanne Somers from Three's Company? She had breast cancer and chose an alternative therapy treatment that seems to be successful. If you can erase the t.v. image, this woman is a great researcher! I've also read her recipe books and she has dedicated herself to a healthful lifestyle. Suzanne is not the air-head Christy!
• Dr. Christiane Northrup is an OB/GYN who wrote the original menopause reference, The Wisdom of Menopause. I refer to her book often. She's been on PBS and has written several books.
• A smaller, similar book written by another physician, Dr. C. W. Randolph, is easy reading and informative. He is adamant about getting your bio-identical hormones from reliable sources and lists those compounding pharmacies he trusts. I started following Dr. Randolph's advice and it has made a huge difference in my physical comfort. I sleep better, my night sweats are less frequent. I feel happier and I have a more positive outlook. Not saying it's for everyone, but you owe it to yourself to be informed.

Start here:

What Our Mothers Never Told Us!

I received this email from a dear friend and today at lunch with some girl friends, the subject came up again!

Lynn gave me permission to share this with you. She started out by say that she was glad that I had started this blog for opportunity for us "to share openly your experiences with something our mother's only whispered and/or cried about. As you know bio-identical hormones have made all the difference for me. The funny thing about menopause was I began reading and attempting to be prepared in advance but it still blindsided me. I think because I did not understand peri-menopause. I went through a major round of cardiovascular tests due to heart palpitations. It turned out to be a girlfriend (not a doctor) who told me that is a common symptom of peri-menopause. The depression came next and then the synthetic hormones. After three years of menopause jungle I found my mentor in a young woman in Ocala working as a hormone consultant in a compounding lab. I am now an official, card carrying, t-shirt wearing proud member of BHRT.4.Me


Deanne Bauman is happy to do telephone consultations (352)622-2913 (cost is $50 per hour). Best money I have ever spent. I believe one of the biggest misconceptions women have is they think if they are not having hot flashes they have no symptoms. Menopause can be a great time in your life or it can be hell. It quietly robs you of many things you take for granted when you are young. Bio-identical therapy can keep that from happening. The best thing we can do is be our own advocate, read, speak openly and support your kind and loving spirit of doing this blog."


Amen to that! Thanks, Lynn~

Sweaty sleep less nights

Since the early 1990's I have been plagued with the night sweats. If you are a woman over 45, you are probably at least aware of this phenomenon. Over time we all have developed our own coping methods that do not include separate bedrooms or sleeping in the freezer.

Common strategies I've used:

• the two-handed pillow flip
• the one-legged comforter toss
• the not-so-personal, personal cooling fan (Honey, do you really NEED that noisy thing going all night?"
• bedside ice water stains
• sleeping in the nude (which can end up with a hotter bed than you started with)

I'd love to hear from you if you have your own suggestions for cooling off at night. There are thousands of "power surging" women out there.