Estrogen plus progestin may have slightly increased the risk of a heart attack. Progestin is a man-made form of the female hormone progesterone. Estrogen plus progestin raised the risk of stroke and blood clots in the legs and lungs.Researchers continue to study this issue.
The age at which MHT is started may be the key to whether this therapy reduces your chances of getting heart disease. Most of the women in the NIH study did not start MHT until after the age of 60. Yet menopause happens for most women after the age of 45.
Some experts think that many of the women in the NIH study may have already developed narrowing and hardening of the arteries because of many years in which their estrogen levels were low. This would explain why estrogen did not protect against heart disease in the study.
More research on younger women may support the use of some kind of MHT to prevent heart disease. And more research will be needed to ensure that the benefits of such a therapy outweigh its risks.
For now, the safest option for menopausal hormone therapy is to stick with the lowest dose for the shortest time to treat menopausal symptoms or treat bone loss, but not to prevent heart disease.
Studies on the effects of MHT on memory and other brain functions also have had mixed results. For now, MHT should not be used to prevent memory loss, dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.
To learn more about recent studies involving MHT and its benefits and risks, go to: www.nhlbi.nih.gov
Testimonials...
Author: Connie McDanel 2004-10-23"Three years ago, I had been experiencing many issues relating to hormone imbalances: heavy flow, severe cramps, fibroids, decreased sex drive, fatigue in the afternoon, and irritability. I knew these symptoms were imbalances, but wasn't sure what to do for my hormone therapy.
I've always been healthy, happy and vibrant; so I needed to do something.
After checking things out with my doctor and weighing my options, I decided to study information on this subject before making any decisions. I discovered a number of things relating to 'women's issues' that can be rendered with a little knowledge of WHY our hormones become out of balance.
I now teach 'Women's Issues' classes about this. The short of the information is: I began using Prenelone Cream, which contains pregnenolone and progesterone. I learned through study that pregnenolone is the pre-curser hormone controlling the production of many other hormones.
Our hormones are disrupted by many things: nutrition, chemicals in our home products, stress, and environment.
After using Pregnenolone for two months daily, I began to experience positive changes in my body. My flow became less, irritability was gone, the feeling for romance was back and my cramping was significantly less.
Now I have been using about a 1/4 tsp daily for over two years. I'm not as disciplined as I was in the beginning, but for the most part, I use it daily.
If I feel any of the symptoms returning, I just use a little more cream during that month. Health is synergistic though; so I drink my Berry Young juice, exercise and I use chemical free products."
Author: Sandra Ingersoll 2007-04-28"My experience has been with Progessence, and I love it. No more hot flashes, mood swings, etc.
Use it once or twice a day in a meaty area of the body. It smells good, easy. Clary sage oil is also good, helps REM sleep, good dreams, and also balances hormones. But, don't drink alcohol or you'll have mild hallucinations and weird dreams.
I found that out by accident, since I only drink once or twice a year.
I am 59, haven't been on any HRT for at least 15 years. Young Living products are the only thing I've used to balance hormones."
Author: Joy Linsley 2004-09-24"My initial introduction to Young Living Essential Oils came about because I had been experiencing symptoms of a heart problem: rapid, irregular, pounding heartbeat, and then chest pains, and finally a fainting spell.
My holistic doctor told me he felt the heart condition was brought on by hormonal imbalance, and sent me to a hormone therapy specialist. His tests showed I was severely depleted in ALL the hormones (at least in part because I had a hysterectomy 25 years before), and his solution was to offer HGH shots at $1000 per shot!
With no insurance, and knowing in my heart I wanted to heal my body naturally, I literally went home and turned it over to my Creator, and asked to be led to the solution.
I used Joy Blend (learned it was for the heart 'organ' as well as the emotion), HRT Tincture, and the progesterone cream YL had at the time.
The first week, I didn't see much difference, so I increased the amount of the progesterone cream. Within three weeks, all the symptoms had disappeared...and have not returned! I am forever grateful for that.
It also showed me how powerful these oils and oil products are - given that the degeneration had been taking place over so many years, and was reversed so rapidly."
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