HRT drugs based on medical fraud

Check out this article from NaturalNews.com. Be aware that the hormones being talked about in this article are synthetic/fake----Premarin and Provera. It amazes me that I still get a number of emails from women who are taking synthetic hormones----thankfully, they are usually contacting me because they want to get off them and get on bioidenticals.

Low Testosterone Raises Heart Death Rates in Impotent Men

From HealthDay.com ----- discussing the link between low testosterone and the rate of death due to cardiac issues. It makes perfect sense, since testosterone helps build muscle tissue and the heart is a muscle.

Fueling the Anger of Doctors----

I ran into this article on the NYTimes.com website----I know there is a lot of discussion on why many/most of the real experts in bioidentical hormone therapy do not take insurance (including my own doctor). Although I do think there are some physicians out there who are charing exorbitant fees for bioidentical hormone balancing, and taking advantage of desperate, vulnerable people, overall I do not blame doctors for not taking insurance. It's not worth the hassle, and it takes away from patient care.

No, I have not fallen off the face of the earth----

Hi everyone, I never go three days without posting an article for you, but it's been nuts around here this week. I have barely been at my computer, and have been using my IPhone to try and catch up on reviewing articles on bioidenticals and related issues. I promise to be back by tomorrow-----hope everyone is doing well!

Progesterone - new therapy in mild carpal tunnel syndrome?

Wow, this is kind of interesting (I do not have carpel tunnel syndrome, but a bunch of my friends do---and a bunch of us are knitters so our wrists are very important!). A brief article on 7thSpace.com describes an upcoming study in the use of localized progesterone injections and the effect on carpal tunnel syndrome. Check it out by clicking here.......

I'm being goofy this morning, but you have got to watch this video!

What Does "Catamenial" Mean and Why Should We Care?

Good morning everyone, I am really going to stretch your brain this morning (a cerebral workout). I have just learned a new word-----catamenial. Hit your scrabble partner with that one (and tell them where you learned it). Check out this article from the blog of Dr. Alan Jacobs (NYC), and then as a follow up, check out the next article in the series "The Yin and Yang Relationship of Estrogen and Progesterone in the Brain". It's heavy reading for a layperson, but digest it slowly.....I think you will find, as I did, you nodding your head at how cyclical our emotional symptoms of peri/menopause (and even premenstrual for those still in that phase of their lives) are. Enjoy your day!

The Pill at 50: Sex, Freedom and Paradox

The 50th anniversary of the birth control pill is Time Magazine's cover story this week. I thought the article was really interesting (I read it on my IPhone), so I thought I would share the link with you. Click here to read the article.....

Uh, oh, she's taking another day off-----

Keeping me tied down to a schedule in April and October (the two most lovely months of the year here in NC) is impossible. I decided to celebrate Earth Day by visiting the UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens! It was a great workout, because hiking around there is a challenge! See more of the pictures by clicking here. Have a great day everyone!

Study Finds Dieting is Stressful

A lot of us probably already know this-----that dieting adds to our stress level. I'm better about it than I used to be, but I still stress way too much about what goes in my mouth----is it healthy, should I not eat it, am I eating out emotion (big one for me) and on and on. Check out the full article from ArthritisToday.com by clicking here.

Don't forget----

We're on Facebook as a fan page---come join us! Click here to reach the link....

Low Vitamin D Level Tied to Cognitive Decline

Ah, yes, my (weekly) Vitamin D article! Check this one out from WebMD----older people with higher levels of Vitamin D perform better on mental tests. That's one of the many reasons I take it ----- I have to keep my mind sharp so that I can blog and read my complicated knitting patterns! :) Enjoy your day, it's pretty sunny right now here in NC, but we are expecting rain later on this afternoon (and we need it---the pollen here continues to be a big problem!)

Study: Thin Girls Have Higher Breast Cancer Risk

Reports about this study have been all over the news, and the information presented counters the conventional wisdom that extra weight adds to a woman's breast cancer risk. Click here to read the article.....

Study: Estrogen Drops May Worsen Fibromyalgia Pain

I found this article on the About.com Fibromyalgia/Chronic Fatigue site. It discusses the possible relationship of estrogen levels and flaring of fibromyalgia symptoms. I have personally spoken to women who tell me their fibromyalgia symptoms have gotten significantly better after they got their hormones back in balance.

Do Statins Lower Male Sex Drive?

Two different studies came to different conclusions about the relationship between statin (cholesterol) drugs and low testsoterone. Check out this article from HealthDay.com, share it with the guy(s) in your life, and if it's a problem, make sure they talk to their doctor about it.

Low vitamin D levels linked to lower lung function in asthmatic kids

Check out this article from NewKerela.com ------ talks about the link between Vitamin D and asthma in children, but also about how Vitamin D affects allergies (Vitamin D is actually a prohormone, not a vitamin, as most of you regular readers know). If you are suffering from seasonal allergies----ask your doctor about taking some Vitamin D3 (or upping your dose, a lot of people are taking about 400 IU's in a multivitamin, and most doctors tell you it's not enough). I've been taking 5000 IUs for about 3 1/2 years now.

Testosterone deficiency can produce male menopause

I'm starting to see a slight increase in the number of men who contact me looking for help in finding a practitioner to treat andropause, also known as male menopause. This article from NewsOK.com outlines some of the symptoms of testosterone deficiency and how to treat it. Good reading----share it with your partner.

Walking may ease some burdens of menopause

Talk about serendipity----I'm just getting ready to go out for my walk (I need to work out the kinks from a half day small business seminar yesterday---sitting is tough for me), and this article from Reuters popped up on the email. Many peri/menopausal women tell me that walking is their favourite form of exercise. I love to walk here in NC three seasons of the year, in the summer it's too hot unless I go out really early in the morning (I am not an early morning exerciser, I'm up but need time to limber up, I usually hit the gym about 9:30 am or after).

Cloudy and a little cooler today in NC, the pollen counts are going through the roof. Each of the breakout sessions I was in yesterday at my conference was punctuated by "achoooo" and "bless you" (Southerners are very polite). Make it a great day, everyone!

Designing Women's Dixie Carter Died of Endometrial Cancer: What Women Need to Know

I loved the show Designing Women, and so I was saddened to hear of the death of Dixie Carter over the weekend. I ran into this article today on what women need to know about endometrial cancer-----it's very important to note that if you experience any post menopausal bleeding, get it checked out right away. Better to be safe than sorry, endometrial cancer is curable if caught in the early stages.

Higher vitamin D levels could save thousands of lives a year: economic analysis

This article from the WinnepegFreePress.com of course relates to Canada, but the information in the article makes you think----look at how much money could be saved in the Canadian health care system by making sure everyone (or nearly everyone) had sufficient Vitamin D levels. Here in the USA, most of the estimates of the percentage of people deficient in Vitmain D range from 53% to as high as 68% (and higher for some groups, my pain managment doctor told me that he learned at a conference that 71% of those with a chronic pain condition were Vitamin D deficient). If you are not already taking Vitamin D3, talk to your healthcare provider about starting it (your level can be assessed with a simple, inexpensive blood test). I take 5000 IU's daily, and have for about 4 years.

Sex After a Hysterectomy

Yes, there is life after a hysterectomy, even a sex life. Check out this article from EmpowHer.com---and be sure to check out the comments at the end of the article, particularly the one written by Dr. Dach.

Rheumatoid Arthritis and Vitamin D Deficiency Could Be Linked

I know more than one person with RA, so this was of interest to me. Check out this article from CNMNewsNetwork.com on the relationship between Vitamin D deficiency and rheumatoid arthritis. Now it's time for me to get out and take a walk to get my dose of vitamin D for the day (actually, I have already downed 5000 IU's this morning!)

Improve Your Health with DHEA

I get a lot of questions about the supplement DHEA, and in fact, I take it myself (under a doctor's supervision). I found this article from ContentCaboodle.com about DHEA, but it comes with a caveat......DHEA is a powerful substance, this is not something to fool around with even if it is available over the counter. Talk to your doctor before starting this supplement, your practitioner can get a blood test to determine if you are deficient and what is the right amount for you to take.

Andrea's playing hookey again-----

April is a busy, exciting, exhausting month for me------I feel like I run from garden to garden to get pictures to capture how absolutely lovely spring is here in the Carolinas. I also make notecards with them, it's funny, I get my prints developed at Walgreen's (and I highly recommend them) ----- I go there so often everyone knows me! I promise, tomorrow is going to be a "stay home and play quietly day"-----my back is really tired from this week----and I will get caught up on blog entries (I have some good articles to share with you)! In the meantime, enjoy these photos from my day at the gardens:

Vitamin D Could Help Seasonal Allergy Sufferers

Good morning -------achoo! (bless you). The Southeast is suffering through the worst allergy season in at least a decade (I've been in NC 6 springs now and this is the worst I've seen it). I watched a lady walking around the grocery store last week with an open box of Kleenex in her cart---she couldn't go 10 feet without either sneezing or blowing her nose. When I first moved down here from NY, my allergies were awful in the spring and fall, and I would be on antihistamines for about 6 months of the year. I started the progesterone cream (BHRT) in September 2006, and have not taken an antihistamine since. Hell, as bad as allergies get down here, I'd take it for no other reason!

I ran across this article on KDKA.com about how Vitamin D (which is a prohormone, not really a Vitamin)----a study found that kids with allergy and asthma problems were more likely to be Vitamin D deficient. As always, talk to your doctor about the right amount of Vitamin D for you (I take 5000 IU's daily, under doctor supervision).

Have a great day----we are looking forward to rain in the Carolinas later on today to wash the pollen out of the air----I just want it off my car!

Testosterone patch beats diabetes (and boosts libido!)

I haven't included an article on testosterone in a while, and this one from TheDailyMail.com (UK) is a good one ----- 40% of diabetic men are dound to have low testosterone levels. Read it to the guy in your life!

Soy won't reduce cholesterol after menopause

Hmmm, this is interesting ------ check out this article from Reuters.com about the efficacy of using soy products after menopause to reduce cholesterol levels. The study found that soy does not help reduce cholesterol levels, but as always, check with your doctor for any questions/concerns about your particular needs.

Early Occupational Chemical Exposure May Cause Breast Cancer

This article from RedOrbit.com might be of interest to you if you or someone you know worked in a manufacturing plant back in your 20's or early 30's. Apparently, some studies indicate that there may be an increased risk for breast cancer for women who were exposed to some chemicals/fibers premenopausally. Just something to be aware of---and a reminder to get regular mammograms.

New Guidance on Hormone Therapy Issued

NAMS is North American Menopause Society. Three things I want you to take away from this article:

1. They are using the term "progestegen" which is an all encompassing term for both progesterone (bioidentical) and progestin (synthetic, fake hormone).

2. "Utian and his colleagues reviewed recent literature, mostly new analyses from the Women's Health Initiative (WHI)" --- this study used synthetic hormones-Premarin and Provera. They are very different than bioidentical hormone therapy.

3. Read the blue box at the end of the article----the potential conflicts among the panel of experts with a myriad of pharmaceutical companies. Always keep this in mind when reading articles from "experts" --- they may have professional relationships with drug companies and are therefore much more likely to bias their opinions in favour of the drug company.

Happy Easter!

Arthritis: Hormone Therapy Could Ease Pain

Research on this appears to still be in the early stages, but could be a huge benefit to those of us who live with osteoarthritis. Check out this article from the ArthritisChannel/Ivanhoe.com.

Vitamin D: Key to good health or just hype?

I'm celebrating this gorgeous NC (actually most of the East Coast) weather by sharing this article from ChicagoNow.com on Vitamin D3 (which is actually a prohormone)----click here!

Stave off weight gain after menopause

See, we aren't crazy (or lazy, or lying to our doctors about how much we eat!)---check out this article from USATodayWeekend.com---and have a wonderful Easter weekend!