Oh for the good old days when, shortly after the
first hot flash, women hurried off to their doctors
for hormone replacement relief. Ahhh. Skin glowing,
juices flowing, they faced the world knowing they
had found the true elixer of youth.

Oops. Turns out eternal youth has it's drawbacks,
the worst being the very well documented risk of
breast cancer. Now what's a woman to do?

First, read either of these thorough and well-
balanced books: Dr. Love's Hormone Therapy by
Susan Love M.D. or The Wisdom of
Menopause by Christiane Northrup M.D.

Second, find a gynecologist, someone who is well-versed
in the latest developments in women's health,
who is open to alternative medicine and who doesn't
subscribe to a one-size-fits-all approach. Ask for
a blood and/or saliva test to see exactly which hormones
are low and which are not. Include thyroid hormones.
Get a list of treatment options.

Third, take time to do your own research, now that
you are armed with more specific personal information.
Learn how diet, exercise, depression and stress can
aggravate or alleviate symptoms. Then experiment.
Try nothing.Try lifestyle changes.
Try herbal, or homeopathic remedies.
Try synthetic hormones (which exclude Premarin or
Prempro as they are derived from mare urine). Try a
patch, try cream, try suppositories. What's
right for you is what's right for you.

Let me dispell few myths so, at least,
you won't start out with misinformation.

MYTH ONE: Menopause is a condition that should be
treated.

Do you even remember when your mother went
through menopause? Probably not, because in those
days, it was generally ignored. Maybe you noticed she
was overly sensitive or irritable, but it passed,
and you both forgot it.

So how is it you are suffering so much and need
symptom relief when she got through it so easily?
For one thing, you expect to suffer. She didn't.
(Actually, only 30% of menopausal women have
symptoms) For another, your mother's lifestyle was
different,certainly less busy. Perhaps she was a
stay-a-home mom and could take naps in the
afternoons. And she could sweat in private.

She also knew with certainty there was an end to it.
She would feel fine. Every woman did.

If you knew for certain that the hot flashes, insomnia,
irritability and forgetfulness would end forever in
6 months to a year if you did nothing, would you be able
to get through it like your mom?

MYTH TWO: All estrogen is alike.

Premarin (estrogen alone) and Prempro (estrogen
and progesterone) are the brands of estrogen
which were found to increase women's risk of
breast cancer in that now famous study.
It is derived from pregnant mare's urine.
I agree that no one should take that type of
estrogen.
However, there are synthetic hormones that more
closely match those women naturally produce which
have not been proven to increase the risk of
breast or ovarian cancer. They require a prescription
from your doctor.
Finally, there are estrogenic chemicals derived from
plants which mimic human hormones. These
are generally derived from yams or soy. They
have not been proven to increase the risk of
breast cancer, although there is some question about
soy. These can be found over the counter, but you
would do well to take the recommendation of your
alternative health care practitioner.

There are many types of supplements and remedies
which can be helpful for symptom relief and have no
estrogenic properties.

MYTH THREE: Even If you have no symptoms,
HRT is good for you.

Studies are now showing that taking estrogen does not
protect you from heart disease, and while it does seem
to protect against post menopausal bone loss, the risk
still outweighs the benefit.
Eating well, exercising regularly and quitting smoking are
better ways to protect yourself.

MYTH FOUR: You can take hormones temporarily for
symptom relief.

Menopausal symptoms are caused by the withdrawal of
estrogen and progesterone from the body. Whether
the drop in hormones happens internally by the body's
own processes, or externally by ceasing hormone
replacement therapy, the result is the same.
If you took estrogen replacement therapy until
age 90 and stopped, you would still
experience hot flashes and other symptoms.
Not a happy thought.

If possible, women should follow their mothers' lead.
Menopause is a short-term phenomena like
puberty. You wouldn't think of interfering with
puberty, would you?
________________
(c)2003 Pamela Adams D.C., holistic health coach
has helped hundreds of people live happier, healthier
lives. She is the author of "Dr. Adams' Painless Guides."
for her books, articles and free newsletter go to
http://www.PainlessGuides.com