Alternative to Hormone Replacement

Updated on November 07, 2008
D.M. asks from Houston, TX
11 answers

Hi, Ladies! I am full of questions lately... Looking for some advice on possible alternatives to chemical hormone treatments. I have a major hormone imbalance, which is hereditary and after my appt with my OB/GYN yesterday, she's suggesting bc pills. I really prefer to not take any meds if not absolutely neccessary. I have heard about working through a naturopath for dietary changes that could help... Has anyone had any experience with anything like this?

Family history is my grandmother & aunt both had full historectomies in their 30s (32 & 35) due to pre-cancerous cysts/fybroids, possibly cancer depending on who in the family I talk to. My great-aunt passed due to cervical cancer, my mom should have had a hystorectomy at 30 instead of having my youngest bro (still hasn't), and started menopause at 40. It's quite a mess & I knew it would be coming soon (I'll be 28 a month from tomorro), but just looking ahead to see what other alternatives there may be.

We are also in the deep discussion of whether we definitely want one more child b/c if so, we will have to start fertility treatments pretty much immediately. We've been mostly on the whole "whatever happens" attitude for a couple of years. The thought that hit me yesterday as I was leaving was it's time to "go or get off the pot already!" rather crude, but that's where I am. My OB/GYN is fantastic at answering questions, but I'd like to have a base of knowledge to start from before going into this. I'm supposed to get back with her in a couple of weeks to follow-up.

Anyway... all this to say that if anyone has been through something similar or knows someone who has, I would appreciate any input. I am hoping that since there have been so many breakthroughs in more natural medical treatments since my family before me, I won't have to take drastic measures. I've been working with different things to get off all these drugs I've been on for allergies, arthritis (yes- it started at age 12), etc etc. I don't want to add something else to the mix to be taking for the rest of my life.

Thanks to any for your comments. You ladies are the best!

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So What Happened?

Hi, ladies! I followed Charise H's advice & saw a naturopath. When I first saw her, she confirmed that I was menopausal at 27yo! After having my obgyn tell me we wouldn't have children without major medical intervention, I was ready to just be normal again, and we had given up on having a second child. Well, I just found out I am PREGNANT only 6 months after having been diagnosed!! =oD It is amazing what these ladies have helped me with from the hormone issues, thyroid problems, allergies, weight loss... I can't stop recommending them to others! I am so inspired, I am considering studying naturopathy myself!

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B.N.

answers from San Antonio on

Hi have you tried wild yam cream or evening primrose oil. do a search for herbal remedies for hormone replacements.

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D.T.

answers from Austin on

I would look into natural hormone replacement. I actually had to go to my chiropractor who is also and herbalist and acupuncturist and she started me on herbal supplements that have helped tremendously. If you are in Austin, her name is Tenesha Weine, DC and her number is ###-###-####.

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J.L.

answers from San Antonio on

Look into "Welcome Womb"
you can find it only at www.1cascade.com
It uses herbs to naturally strengthen and regulate your hormones. It's worth looking into and worth a call to the company. best wishes!

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T.L.

answers from Austin on

D.,
Instead of going into a lot of detail here, I would love to share what I have learned in the past year about natural progesterone balancing cream. Two doctors who talk specifically about the benefits of this are Dr. John Lee and Dr. Christine Northrup. You can google them to read their research. I would be happy to pass on some of knowledge I have gleaned from them and how this amazingly simple and natural hormone has changed my life and 1000s of women's lives. You can email me back for me inormation because it is a lot to go into on an email.

All the best,
T.

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C.H.

answers from Houston on

Hi D.,
I have been using a naturopathy doctor,(ND) for years. I would start out using conventional medical drs and prescriptions and soon needed some other med to counteract the side effects of the original med. Five yrs ago,I was going through perimenopause according to the GYNO. Horrible sweats,mood swings,etc. The b/c pill then required an additional 2 more. I went to an ND and she started working on other issues that masqueraded as perimenopause. The MD said I had fibroids in breast and uterus and should consider a hysterectomy in the near future. After seeing the ND for a while, I have NO fibroids anywhere and my periods are on time and less heavy, no cramps, no PMS. My hormones are normal.

I used to have allergies so bad, that I took meds for sinus infections many times a year and required antihistamines and aspirin/ibuprofen. I also had migraines. I haven't had a headache, sinus infection, allergy incident in 4 yrs. I last took an aspirin in Jan of this year. I just don't feel bad. I just feel normal.

OH, and arthritis: My grandmother had arthritis SO bad she couldn't close her hands. Her knuckles were Huge, fingers like claws. My mother's are not as bad as that, but nearly so. Mother can close her hands on a glass or fork, but has no strength in those inflamed joints. I Used to have those symptoms and now my fingers look almost normal. Little knuckle swelling. They will explain to you how the calcium gets out of solution in your blood and deposits on your joints.

Your body is like building blocks, once one thing improves, you will realize that something else is better that you were not working on. If you will work on healing your own body, your next pregnancy will be healthier and so will your baby. If you want more info, just ask. I could go on with issues she's addressed. When you get your ducks in a row, you may not need the fertility dr. ;)

My ND is in Houston and has a great staff. Not at all a dr. environment. More like friends. Be well, C.

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A.C.

answers from San Antonio on

D., the alternative is bio identical hormone replacement. Many doctors do it but it may not be covered by insurance. I saw Dr. Steven Hotze from Houston speak on this and was really impressed. Several women were there to share their story. He also has a book called Hormones, Health and Happiness about the whole process.

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B.C.

answers from Houston on

I cannot express enough how my wellness doctor has helped me balance my hormones... and naturally. His name is Dr. Galloway and he is located on 1960 near Jones Road; 9410 FM 1960 Rd W
Houston, TX 77070
###-###-####
www.gallowaychiropractic.com

He is wonderful and so many women have had success with him. He has a great bedside manner and doesn't "adjust" your back unless absolutely necessary - very gentle.

My advice on bc... consider other options if you can. I was put on bc pills all my life from endometriosis and that was a big part of my problem - too much estrogen. When I took the hormone test that Dr. Galloway gave me, it showed my entire cycle for a month and the level of each hormone. It was so detailed and great to see all the facts. It made it easy to understand what was going on.

Since then I have seen a huge transformation in my moods, feeling more vibrant and have more energy.

Best to you and hope this helps
B.

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O.C.

answers from Austin on

D.,
My hats off to you for having an open mind,
Drugs have serious side effects on the long run.

First take a look at YOUR products, check out how toxic they are at www.cosmeticsdatabase.com,
Our skin in our largest organ, what we put on goes directly to our bloodstream, and the end result is disease.
this is very interesting to find what we ourselves are doing to our insides.
Disease is a process and starts from the inside out,
Silent Inflammation is a primary cause of this.

TIME magazine on the FEB 2004 issue:

Inflammation is probably the background and driving force behind all major age-related diseases."~ Claudio Franceschi
Scientific Director, Italian National Research Center on Aging (INRCA) Silent Inflammation is the root cause of all acute and chronic diseases ... CANCER ... heart attacks ... Strokes ... DIABETES ... Hypertension, commonly referred to as "high blood pressure" ... Dementia, the most well-known type is Alzheimer's disease and others like ... sickle cell anemia ... MS ... Lupus, and other autoimmune diseases ... Parkinson's ... arthritis ... even such simple things as dental hygiene and the consequences of irritation in your mouth.While inflammation can affect all tissues in the body, it is the primary mechanism underpinning diseases which attack muscles, joints and connective tissue.INFLAMMATION. The body’s non-specific response to infection, trauma, radiation damage, allergen irritation, etc. is inflammation. Characterized by swelling, redness, heat and pain, most inflammation is short-lived and an important part of the healing process. However, too often inflammation does not shut off when it should and can continue for weeks, months, or years (chronic inflammation). When this occurs, the inflammation itself (which can be painless and therefore silent) becomes a serious health threat.Chronic inflammation has been implicated in the development of many health problems including cancer, arthritis, diabetes, skin disorders, heart disease, neurodegenerative diseases (such as MS, Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s), lung disease, bowel disease (Crohn’s, ulcerative colitis), ulcers, gastritis, GERD, allergy, kidney failure and even psychiatric disorders like depression, autism and schizophrenia. And this list is not complete because other illnesses have been shown to involve inflammatory states as greater or lesser causatory or exacerbating factors.

another thing I would suggest is TELL your dr you want a CRP test, this is a marker for Silent Inflammation.
this will tell you How much inflammation you have inside

you can email me tecuento123 at yahoo com
I can send you the info on CRP so you can be prepared

Read the book, "Not Just A Pretty Face" by stacey mulken,
this is an eye opener.

Remember invest in your health today, to enjoy an illness free tomorrow.

thanks,
Oly
ps; i had sent you an earlier post but my computer went down, and I had to resend.

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L.R.

answers from Sherman on

You have GOT to try Arbonnes Natural Balance Hormone cream.... even though i do Arbonne as a business... it is because of this cream... it has been a blessing to me.... if you call me i will get it for you at my price just so you can try it...... or email me... ____@____.com and i will send you more info... or go to my website and order yourself at www.lisauselton.myarbonne.com i am not kidding I have six kids and would NOT BE WITHOUT IT... good luck L.

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K.J.

answers from Houston on

I highly recommend you read the book "Ageless" by Susan Summers, although you are still young, you may want to look into Bioidentical hormones. I am 42, and I love it. I think once you read the book, you will be amazed at how much hormones effect our lives, you may not have to have fertility treatments. I will say it is more expensive than synthetic hormones, but well worth it. I wished I had known about it after I had my twins. Lots of luck.

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J.K.

answers from Austin on

Hi D., Connie Ryan, in Austin is a nurse practitioner who is my gynocologist. She is very into alternative treatments, but will use regular meds if needed. I do not want to give advice on your problem since I do not have the expertise, or experience to do so. You are definitely at high risk of cancer since it is in your family with so many people. Connie can help you , or send you to someone who can. J. K.

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