The Estrogen Alternative: A Guide to Natural Hormonal Balance

PREFACE\ A Bombshell That Changes HRT Medical History\ A shock wave hit the country on July 10, 2002, when the news regarding the dangers of synthetic hormone replacement was brought to public awareness. It was first broadcast on TV and radio stations and then transmitted to all the major newspapers and Internet sites. From The Wall Street Journal to holistic health magazines, they all reported, one after another, that a major study—known as the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) study—had shown an increased risk of coronary heart disease, breast cancer, strokes, and blood clots for women using the conventional hormone replacement therapy (HRT). The findings came from a research project sponsored by the National Institute of Health, a study that followed 16,000 women who were prescribed the estrogen/progestin drug called Prempro. According to the results published in the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA), there were a total of 2,082 cases of breast cancer in this group of women.\ All this news came as a shock to the medical community because they have sworn by these synthetic hormones since they were first introduced approximately 50 years ago. Warnings about such dangers first surfaced when it was found they were associated with the development of endometrial cancer. In 1947 Dr. Saul Gusberg of Columbia University “called the ready use of estrogen ‘promiscuous’ and warned that what was going on was a human experiment.” He had observed too many estrogen users coming in for D&Cs for abnormal bleeding caused by endometrial over-stimulation, as well as documented cancerous and pre-cancerous changes of the uterus.\ None of this was new news. In fact this old news has continued to surface and resurface throughout the years. The dangers of orthodox hormone therapy was reported in the first edition of this book seven years prior to all this recent media focus. We wrote then: “Millions of menopausal women are taking such potentially lethal combinations daily. And sadly, the recommendation to do so is justified by the statistics that heart disease is the number one killer of postmenopausal women—the persuasive rationale for taking HRT.” Now that this rationale has been proven wrong, perhaps it’s time for us to delve into the studies showing what has been, and will always be, a far superior alternative to synthetic HRT.\ The World Health News couldn’t have stated it better: “The simplicity and safety of the solution is almost shocking. One might ask why every suffering woman is not using botanical progesterone,” and why is there such a lack of education concerning the dual relationship between estrogen and its essential but neglected partner called progesterone?”\ After reading about these studies and witnessing the tragic results of breast cancer, strokes, heart disease, and other side effects from the Premarin/Progestin combination that has been taken for so long without question, I reflect on the words stated years ago: “Perhaps someday the prescribing of synthetic hormones to women will be labeled malpractice, and the prescribing of any form of estrogen unopposed by natural progesterone will be a violation of insurance codes.”\ The statistics from the JAMA report during the summer of 2002, hit women hard. It’s frustrating to not be able to reach each and every one of them to show that there is a far better choice than conventional HRT. It’s sad when they are not informed by their medical doctors about how supplementing (transdermally) with progesterone will re-balance their hormone levels. And, how progesterone is the hormone that is even proactive in building bone mineral density (BMD), which can help women prevent and even reverse osteoporosis. Progesterone is not to be confused, however, with Provera or any of the other progestins or progestagens prescribed in conventional HRT. As studies proved years ago, they have numerous side effects and lack any physiological health benefits.\ Today there may be a new name for such designer drugs, but they all have their list of harmful and often long-term side effects. If you’re thinking of taking such medications, I encourage you to read further in this book where we document the dangers reported by those researchers who are not in the business of selling drugs. We all need to be alert to these facts especially when reading articles and reports that are often quoted in popular journals and on the internet that use research sponsored by drug companies, which are slanted to make us think it is still okay to use synthetic hormones.\ We have tried to be extremely cautious about sources and sensitive to who has sponsored studies that we have used for our investigation in the writing of this book. In contrast and seldom mentioned, Wyeth-Ayerst, the giant drug company, financed the book Feminine Forever, which was enthusiastic about the drug Premarin. It is not a coincidence that in 2001, Wyeth received more than two billion dollars in sales from Premarin. Further evidence of such bias comes from Dr. Nadin F. Marks (associate professor at the University of Wisconsin at Madison) where he explains that the industry sponsors scores of promotional articles, written for gynecological and obstetrical journals and textbooks, in which the doctors are convinced that “a woman’s life could be destroyed if she didn’t have estrogen in her body.” Do these words still sound convincing to us? How much longer will these incomprehensible deceptions continue to be imposed upon us through such powerfully clever organizations? When will we realize the impact that this well-organized propaganda has on our health?\ Unfortunately, we can realistically predict that with all the vested interests at stake another estrogen or combo drug will soon show up under a new label. And it will likely have similar lethal, or debilitating side effects. And sadly, the new substances will once again be hailed as a miraculous “breakthrough” and will surface with different names and different promises. In another generation when all the recent studies have been forgotten, there will be more experimental trials using other women in order to feed this multi-billion dollar menopausal industry.

Preface to the fourth edition : a bombshell that changed HRT medical history1Sick and tired of being tired and sick102The myth of estrogen deficiency versus the reality of progesterone deficiency213The seasons of a woman's life504Can we circumvent osteoporosis?935The risk of cancer1276Hormonal support from our foods1587Planning a personal approach187App. AWays and means of hormone application197App. BSynthetic compounds : a sampling by chemical or brand name206App. CNatural formulas for infants210App. DResources for cancer patients214App. EResources for preventive medicine226App. FClinical studies and research reports232App. GSources of natural progesterone250

\ So Young"If you are a woman and do not read this book, you are very possibly denying yourself the most important information of your physical life. . . . A powerfully persuasive, well-written, and extensively documented case. . . . A must-read if you value your health."\ \ \ \ \ World Health News"Any woman who is considering synthetic hormone therapy or who wishes to get off of it owes herself the reading of this densely informative book. The simplicity and safety of the solution is almost shocking. One might ask why every suffering woman is not using botanical progesterone."\ \ \ Raymond F. Peat"Books like The Estrogen Alternative are important: people have to become so knowledgeable that they don't let the health establishment get away with its systematic deceptions."\ \ \ \ \ Marcia Smith"I was thrilled to read The Estrogen Alternative. . . . The writing style incorporates the research into a narrative that is easy for the layperson to read. The book is thorough, well-referenced, and prepares the reader to make educated choices about her homonal health."\ \ \ \ \ Marie T. Russell"A very informative book, helping to give women back the power to make their own decisions without having to depend on a medical doctor."\ \ \ \ \ Catholic Women's NETWORK"This is an enlightening, easy-to-read book of vital interest to every woman. It assesses information not generally forthcoming from medical doctors and offers information that can help women decide how to manage the seriously important question of whether or not to take synthetic hormones. This book is a valuable tool if you are interested in maintaining your health naturally."\ \ \ \ \ Barbara Ardinger"The Estrogen Alternative is a book that women should be reading now to get ready for the changes in their lives."\ \ \ \ \ The Book Reader"Produced in consultation with alternative health practitioners, this very important reference is a one-of-a-kind guide to very good health."\ \ \ \ \ Irene Alleger"It reads easily, explains clearly why natural progesterone should replace synthetic hormones, and has that added level of personal experience."\ \ \ \ \ Catholic Women's Network"This is an enlightening, easy-to-read book of vital interest to every woman. It assesses information not generally forthcoming from medical doctors and offers information that can help women decide how to manage the seriously important question of whether or not to take synthetic hormones. This book is a valuable tool if you are interested in maintaining your health naturally."\ \ \ \ \ From the Publisher\ "...insightful advice on diet, and appendixes that offer a wealth of information on everything from hormone application and infant soy milk formulas to preventative medicine....a worthwhile resource for doctors and patients."\ \