Standing Up for Nature

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http://www.nytimes.com/2002/06/04/health/04HORM.html

Standing Up for Nature

By JOHN LANGONE

When the author was in medical school, she was led to believe that estrogen replacement in menopause consisted exclusively of the synthetic version.

Now, she specializes in a treatment that many doctors do not offer: natural hormone supplementation. The natural hormones she discusses can be obtained only by prescription and are not to be confused with over-the-counter products with low concentrations of hormone.

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Dr. Schwartz contends that natural hormones, including progesterone and estrogen, seem to be the best substances to treat imbalances without creating side effects.

She covers their use in PMS, mood swings, postpartum depression, hot flashes and loss of libido. And since hormone imbalance is not limited to menopausal women, she discusses hormones' value in women of all ages and in men.

The downside here is that natural hormones, made from plants, are available only through a limited number of pharmacies, usually those that can do their own compounding.

But Dr. Schwartz provides a helpful resource list and adds, "The first step is to open the lines of communication with your doctor."

"The Hormone Solution," by Dr. Erika Schwartz, Warner Books, $13.95.


 

 

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ALL INFORMATION, DATA, AND MATERIAL CONTAINED, PRESENTED, OR PROVIDED HERE IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS REFLECTING THE KNOWLEDGE OR OPINIONS OF THE PUBLISHER, AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED OR INTENDED AS PROVIDING MEDICAL OR LEGAL ADVICE.  THE DECISION WHETHER OR NOT TO VACCINATE IS AN IMPORTANT AND COMPLEX ISSUE AND SHOULD BE MADE BY YOU, AND YOU ALONE, IN CONSULTATION WITH YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.