Hormone Replacement: Part 2

By: Oleda Baker

If you missed last week’s column you can still read it by clicking here: https://www.bocaratontribune.com/hormone-replacement-yes-or-no-i%E2%80%99m-still-haunted-by-my-friends-story%E2%80%A6/

The subject of Hormone Replacement often elicits strong reactions… either in favor or opposed. Therefore, I was surprised that the feedback about Hormone Replacement Therapy from last week’s column was skewed so heavily in favor, so I thought I would share a sampling of communications with my readers.

CAPSULATING LAST WEEK’S STORY:

A friend told me the following:

“I was forced to stop my HRT upon discovery of a prolactinoma tumor on my pituitary gland.  The prolactin and the estrogen would have been a bad mix.  While starting meds for the tumor, I was off estrogen for 10 months.  After around the 8th month off estrogen I started feeling all kinds of neurological symptoms, the worst of which was that my usually wonderful memory was

failing me. (I really thought this was the beginning of Alzheimers.) I stopped driving and indeed, it impacted my life drastically. When I finally went to see my doctor, my numbers for the tumor were back in line and I was put back on estrogen on a Friday.  By the following Wednesday, I was back to my old self and have been on estrogen again ever since.  (a total of 32 years) I made the remark (about thousands of old ladies in nursing homes being there due to lack of estrogen) to several doctors who readily agreed with me.”

Three representative comments from readers:

J. W. M.

“I have been on HRT for 27 years having had a hysterectomy at age 30. I have been very healthy and have had no issues in any bad way. My doctor mentioned to me on my last physical that she had read about a study that said HRT is very bad now…….new study? and I should think about getting off the HRT…I told her I was very hesitant to do so…over the 27 yrs of being on…I have tried different things…the patch and even had a natural work up done to start some natural hormone…I tried it briefly and thought I would die…having some of the symptoms your friend described. I agree with you and hope more women educated themselves and also assert themselves with their doctors…I am 57 and the only medication I take is sometimes Claritn or Zyrtec for seasonal allergies….no blood pressure or cholesterol or any other medication. Also, Your hair vitamins are excellent and my hair is long and lustrous …I have been very busy with a new grandchild and lots of “living” life….had no time for a trim and went last week…it had been 5 and a half months!!!! The hairstylist said I could even have gone longer…said my hair was very healthy and no split ends) I think it is due to your hair vitamins 🙂 just ordered another 6 month bottle!”

Oleda Baker Dear Judy…your email warms my heart. I hope many women will read it and also hope your doctor will take it a step further and see who wrote the new study and why. So often these hormone studies have been only part of the full story and are slanted for their reason. Thank you for sharing your story.

J. W. M. (Follow-up Email #2)

“I have been on it for 27 yrs as I said and gone through hearing about “studies” that said it was good for you and a few yrs later “not so good” for you…and back….every few yrs a new study! Recently at my doctor …she said I should get… off it ….and I explained to her since she has just been my dr a year…about all I have been through and I am not changing…I even went so far as to say that if she felt she could not give me more prescriptions for it because she felt it was bad….I would sign something that said I made her lol or I could find another doctor…but I was not changing and going through that again!!!! She said fine) I take the injection monthly….only thing I found that works for me….pills and patches etc never did…..quality of life is very important :)”

Oleda Baker Judith I sent this to the person I wrote about in my column, She was happy to read it.

J. M.

“I totally agree. I went through menopause at age 43 and started HRT. When the 2002 study came out, since I’d been on HRT for almost twenty years, my doctor asked if I’d like to try going off the pills. I agreed. I was fine for the first… two months. Then, all kinds of nasty symptoms came back; hot flashes, night sweats, chicken skin – yes, I said chicken skin! Among other things, estrogen plumps your skin. I felt and looked twenty years older. Anyway, after the doctor ordered a C-Reactive protein blood test that showed a very low level of inflammation in my body, I went back on HRT. Within a few weeks, I was back to my old self. Each woman has to do what’s best for her as an individual. For me, that means taking HRT.”

Oleda Baker Glad you are standing up for what you believe in after doing your homework.

V. L .

“Oleda, what do you think about black cohash, wild yam, and the other “over the counter” menopause aids? When I turned 50 I started having trouble sleeping through the night when previously I had never had sleep problems and also began having aches and pains throughout the day. I started taking over the counter herbal menopause aids, one was strictly for night-time and had valerian to help with sleeping through the night. What a Godsend to sleep through again and the aches and pains also left. I opted for herbal because I had also heard hormone replacement was risky. You hardly know who to believe with so much conflicting info. Thanks for the article!”

Oleda Baker Victoria all these products are good and I’m happy they work for you. Some only get relief with HRT treatment. You are right though…HRT can be risky for some people which is why everyone should consult a qualified Hormone Replacement Therapy doctor. Happy you are sleeping again…your body repairs itself better with deep sleep.

V. L. Z. (Follow-up Email #2) “I appreciate hearing the good side of it from people who have used the hormones because there is so much conflicting info on it. Yes, I am sleeping through again. What a blessing.”

Therefore, it’s best to consult a doctor if you’re getting Hormone Replacement Therapy like hormone replacement therapy in Spring Hill, FL since it varies from person to person. Having the right levels of hormones for women is crucial to maintain your health and wellness.

Until next time,

Love, Oleda

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Biography

Oleda Baker, now 76, began her career as a high fashion model with the prestigious Wilhelmina Model Agency, in New York City. She is the author of ten books on beauty, health and anti-aging and one novel Reluctant Goddess. Oleda is founder and CEO of Oleda and Company, Inc., her 38-year-old anti-aging products company for skin, hair, diet, energy, nutritional supplement products as well as special makeup. www.oleda.com . oleda@oleda.com Oleda is also a visionary artist.  Her oil paintings have been exhibited in museums and galleries around the country, the latest one last year at the Museum of Florida Art, DeLand. www.oledaart.com.

Oleda’s latest book, “BREAKING THE AGE BARRIER Great Looks and Health at Every Age,” is available in bookstores or can be ordered on www.oleda.com.