Headaches
Hot Flashes / Night Sweats
Menstrual Irregularities, including heavy bleeding and cramps
PMS
Breast Issues such as tenderness, fibrocystic changes
Insomnia / Sleep Disorders
Brain Fog
Low Libido / Sexual Dysfunction
Vaginal Dryness
Anxiety
Moodiness / Irritability
Situational Depression
Food Cravings / Sweet Cravings
Weight Gain
Hair Loss
Bloating
Decreased Muscle Mass
Deceased Stamina
Bone Loss
Cold Body Temperature
Fatigue / Lack of Energy
Aches and Pains
Troubled Skin
And…just Sick ‘n Tired of being Sick ‘n Tired
“The stigma around women’s bodies has been ingrained in our culture for generations. As young girls, we were often silenced and shamed about the natural changes our bodies go through and taught to accept normal symptoms as just part of being a female. As women, we decided to rewrite the narrative. That’s why we developed OVA.” (Asma Ishaq, Modere CEO)
In speaking with many women in both a professional and social setting, I’ve found that many do NOT feel seen or heard by their healthcare providers. And, that’s so unfortunate. Patients tell me if their provider does pay attention to them, the healthcare professional, while patting them on the knee, gives advice that includes this: “Just ignore it; you’ll get better over time.” Or “I’ll prescribe an anti-depressant that will help your hot flashes…but it possibly may lower your sex drive and cause weight gain.” Or, “Fill this prescription for synthetic hormone replacement therapy (HRT), but it may increase your risks of heart attack, stroke, blood clots and breast cancer.” (See below: The Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) Study)
Here are some concepts and definitions:
- The classic female cycle is 28 days.
- On average, the first 3 – 7 days of the cycle is the time of menstruation. The term is menses or period.
- Ovulation typically occurs on Day 14.
- Perimenopause is a time before Menopause when the monthly cycle becomes irregular (longer or shorter), the character of the period changes (heavy or light), and some of the menopausal symptoms rare their ugly head.
- Menopause is defined as 12 consecutive months without a period. Menopause marks the end of our reproductive years.
- Post-Menopause is the phase occurring after Menopause that can include the continuation of those commonplace menopausal symptoms.
I believe, it is in the “pauses” of our lives that we discover magic.
A major hormonal transition in every woman’s life, menopause heralds a season of new freedoms, potential and empowerment. But this necessary transition often also brings with it uncomfortable symptoms as stated above. In my practice, one of the most common symptoms I’ve encountered in my female patients is the dreaded weight gain. Even while eating and exercising as usual, most menopausal women experience frustrating weight gain. Being overweight/obese can make the other symptoms worse, as well as contribute to the 60+ preventable diseases such as heart disease (heart attack, stroke and dementia).
The foundation of my well-established practice, and one of my 10 Tenets of Optimal Health is Hormonal Balance in women and men. I strive to enlighten my patients about the connection between what we eat and how it affects our hormones. Food is a direct hormone regulator, so when hormones shift we must shift as well. Choosing ingredients and bioceuticals (quality supplements) wisely is the best way to help reduce symptoms including preventable weight gain.
My management style includes both a detailed initial consultation and a follow-up consultation, upon the finalization of results from both saliva hormone evaluation and comprehensive blood work. The majority of my patients are found to have evidence-based hormonal imbalances, for which I recommend Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT).
Unlike the synthetic, patentable forms of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) that has been found to increase cancer risk in some women and men, Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) can greatly improve your quality of life with virtually little to no risk of the side effects associated with synthetic HRT.
Bio-identical hormones are produced from natural sources (wild yam and soybean) by chemical conversion. They are identical in all aspects to and absolutely indistinguishable from the hormones our bodies produce. Also, a substance that occurs in nature cannot be patented; therefore, less financial gain in the eyes of pharmaceutical companies.
Artificial, synthetic, patentable hormones are not found in nature. Patentable hormone replacements that can be financially more rewarding, will generally perform some functions of the natural (bio-identical) hormone, but not all. And, because they are structured differently than natural hormones, they will interact poorly with hormone receptors and can cause:
- unwanted side effects or
- be ineffective or render no results.
Bio-identical hormones can be used to supplement any of your body’s endogenous (native) hormones, including:
- Estriol
- Estrone
- Estradiol
- Progesterone
- Dehydroepiandrosterone ( DHEA)
- Testosterone
What do the hormones do?
In general, the Estrogens: Estrone, Estradiol and Estriol are proliferative hormones. They stimulate cellular growth throughout the body.
They are responsible for development of most secondary sexual characteristics of the female.
Estrogens slow bone loss.
ESTRONE (El) (10-20% of circulating estrogens):
- The major circulating estrogen in menopausal women
- Implicated in hormone-mediated cancers, i.e., breast
ESTRADIOL (E2) (10-20% of circulating estrogens):
- The major circulating estrogen in pre-menopausal women
- The most potent of the Estrogens
ESTRIOL (E3) (60-80% of circulating estrogen):
- The estrogen thought to be anti-carcinogenic, i.e., particularly protective against breast cancer
- The weakest of the 3 Estrogens
PROGESTERONE (Pg):
- Nature’s balancer to the Estrogens, i.e., counteracts estrogen’s tendency to induce excess growth
- Should be given to all women on the estrogen therapy despite hysterectomy
- Should be given to all men on the testosterone therapy to decrease risk of benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) and/or prostate cancer
- Stimulates new bone formation, leading to increased bone mass and density
- Given that there are specific progesterone receptors in the brain, Pg can address sleep issues and mood problems, i.e., anxiety and/or situational depression.
- Assists in raising HDL (good) cholesterol levels (if combined with natural estrogen), thus reducing the risk of heart disease by lowering the potential for cholesterol plaque formation.
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA):
- The most highly produced steroid hormone
- The “Mother” of the steroid/sex hormones.
- Unmetabolized DHEA has independent effects including:
- Prevention of heart disease and cancer
- Weight loss
TESTOSTERONE (T)
- The “Lion(ess)” of hormones – The king/queen
- Replaces inadequate testosterone levels
- Protects heart function
- Increases calcium retention, thus making stronger bones
- Improves mental alertness
- Revives a lagging sex life (libido)
Using bio-identical hormones to supplement any deficiencies in your body’s endogenous (native) hormones can lead to:
- Reduced hot flashes / night sweats and vaginal dryness
- Improved sleep and better mood, concentration and memory
- Reduced risk of anxiety and/or situational depression
- Improved libido and sexual function
- Improved cholesterol levels
- Provides support to hair, skin and nails
- Better maintenance of muscle mass and strength
- Restoration of bone strength
- Prevention of osteoporosis
- Protection against heart disease, i.e., heart attack, stroke and dementia
- Reduced risk of endometrial and breast cancer
Some of the most common diseases that affect women after menopause are cardiovascular disease (the leading cause of death among U.S. women), breast cancer (the second-leading cause of cancer deaths in U.S. women), colorectal cancer (the third-leading cause of cancer death among U.S. women), and osteoporosis (the leading cause of bone fracture in U.S. women).
In 1991, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, part of NIH, launched the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) to understand better how these diseases affect post-menopausal women and to reduce the number of women who develop and die from these diseases.
More than 160,000 post-menopausal women ages 50 to 79 participated in the 15-year study, making it one of the largest prevention studies involving women in the United States.
WHI results in 2002 found that post-menopausal women taking combination (synthetic estrogen and progestin, i.e., PREMPRO) hormone therapy for menopause symptoms had an increased risk for breast cancer, heart disease, stroke, blood clots, and urinary incontinence. But the participants in this study using the above stated combined synthetic hormone therapy had a lower risk of fractures and colorectal cancer; however, these benefits did not outweigh the risks.
In 2002, the combined synthetic estrogen plus progestin (E+P) trial of the WHI was terminated after 5.6 years, having found NO coronary benefit, and a rate of breast cancer that crossed preset boundaries (high rates). As a result, many women stopped taking hormone therapy, reducing their risk for breast cancer. One of the most important outcomes of the WHI was the sharp decline in breast cancer in 2003 after the WHI results were released in 2002.
For those of you who are still reticent about incorporating hormones, even Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) into your regimen, there are other options. I share the following informational resources with my family, friends and patients (those on BHRT, like me, and those not on any hormone therapy). The best science backed, doctor recommended option at this time centers around two new patent-pending formulations by Modere (clean-label company) that leverage the emerging science of intuitive nutrition. The concept of intuitive nutrition is used to optimize hormonal health, thus improving upon commonplace menstrual and menopausal symptoms, all without hormones or soy isoflavones.
Recall: Soy is a plant-based source of estrogen. Too much of a “good” thing can be problematic.
Modere’s OVA possesses 3 proprietary formulas, “Release,” “Renew” and “Balance,” in a smart blister pack. It is synced to your unique menstrual cycle with bioceuticals that target your period, pre-ovulation and post-ovulation.
Modere’s OVA-m is one proprietary formula, designed to help improve upon the commonplace menopausal symptoms in the 3 phases of menopause, i.e., perimenopause, menopause and post-menopause. It works synergistically with your body’s biochemical responses.
The formulator of both Modere’s OVA and OVA-m is a colleague, Dr. Jane Frederick, a Board Certified Reproductive Endocrinologist and Fertility Specialist in Orange County, CA.
Dr. Frederick states, “Women have over 50 hormones in their bodies, all working together toward a natural state of balance. The OVA line takes an intuitive approach that supports this balance without directly acting on your hormones. Surprisingly, hormonal fluctuations are not the only culprit behind normal period or menopausal discomfort. Fluctuating nutrient levels can also affect hormones, leading to unwanted symptoms.
Modere women’s health formulas take a distinctly intuitive approach to hormonal health by addressing a woman’s changing nutritional needs throughout her menstrual cycle and menopause, allowing her to sync these targeted formulas to her unique cycle without hormones or isoflavones.”
Benefits of OVA:
Reduces PMS symptoms including cramps, bloating, breast tenderness
Improves fatigue, thus more energy
Supports libido
Supports digestive tract
Supports healthy skin
Benefits of OVA-m:
Reduces mild hot flashes and night sweats
Supports libido
Supports cognitive (brain) health
Supports energy levels
Reduces mild vaginal dryness
Supports cardiovascular health
Improves sleep
Supports mood
Supports healthy skin, hair and nails
Protects cells from Oxidative Stress, the root cause of ALL diseases.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
Stop blaming your hormones — empower them!
Reinvent your hormone story.
If you are open to try either Modere’s OVA or Modere’s OVA-m, here is a link to order (new customers receive my “Share the Love” $10 off discount):
For those of you in North LA, if you have any questions about your hormonal status, BHRT, Modere’s OVA and Modere’s OVA-m, or would like to schedule your initial evaluation, feel free to contact me at 318-550-0050.
And, for those in South LA, I can be reached at 504-455-2574.
Disclaimer: The information presented here is for educational purposes only. It is not intended or implied to be a substitute for the diagnosis, treatment or advice of a qualified, licensed medical professional. You are encouraged to confirm any information obtained from or through this article with other sources and review all information regarding any medical condition or treatment with your physician.