MENOPAUSE.... "The Climacteric"
SEX HORMONES: What they are, what they do
Ever stop to wonder what makes a man look "male" and a woman look
"female"? (Gender-neutral hairdos and clothing not withstanding!)
The answer: sex hormones.
Sex hormones are chemical messengers made and released by the
gonads (ovaries in women, testicles in men), and adrenal glands in
both sexes.
In both sexes, these hormones are responsible for maintaining
fertility. They also give men and women characteristic features of
their sex. For example: estrogens cause breasts to develop, while
testosterone causes muscles to accumulate more protein.
Sex hormones have other roles in the body, many of which have only
recently been discovered. The sex hormones play a role in bone
growth and strength. In females, a decline in hormone levels is
sometimes associated with an increase in cardiovascular disease.
Scientists believe that there are other unknown functions of the
sex hormones.
Surprisingly, men and women have the same sex hormones. (Women
have testosterone, men have estrogen). It is the relative amounts
of these hormones that make a difference in physical
characteristics. And while we used to believe that the role of
"opposite sex" hormones was minimal, modern medicine has begun to
recognize the importance of all hormones to both sexes.
FACTS & MYTHS about "The Climacteric"
Myth: only women go through menopause (a decrease in
production of sex hormones).
Fact: Both men and women have decreased hormone outputs
with advancing age, but the decrease is not as rapid in men as it
is in women. Men may have hot flashes, psychogenic changes, bone
mineral loss and other symptoms identical to the female menopause.
Myth: If sex hormones are taken after the climacteric, they
will help maintain youthfulness.
Fact: Science doesn’t know. Children are youthful before
their sex hormones develop. Once the sex hormones come into play,
they mature —- in other words
— age.
And there’s much we don’t know about the long-term negative
consequences of hormone-replacement therapy.
For example: the total number of years that a female breast is
exposed to estrogens, especially the more potent estradiol, is
directly related to an increased risk of breast cancer. The more
estradiol, the greater the risk.
In males, higher levels of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone
derived from testosterone, is associated with benign prostate
hypertrophy (BPH) and possibly prostate cancer. Increased levels
of estrogens in males also appear to play a role in the
development of BPH.
Myth: Conventional hormone replacement is safe and
effective for women and men who need hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
Fact: Conventional HRT uses a "one size fits all" approach
to hormone replacement and often employs high doses of
semi-synthetic hormones. (Which are different from the hormones
the human body produces).
A presumably safer and more effective approach to hormone
replacement therapy is used by holistic physicians. This involves
testing the patient’s personal hormone levels and prescribing
pharmaceutical or herbal hormones that are custom-tailored to the
individual.
Few holistic physicians, whether N.M.D., M.D., or D.O., believe
that a "one-size-fits-all" approach is desirable. Most are doing
individual testing and custom prescribing, myself included.
The Climacteric is not always a simple hormone decrease
Most people assume that "menopause" (whether in men or women) is
caused by a simple decrease in hormone levels. While this is often
the case, there are many other changes that cause the
"climacteric."
Changes in liver function cause a shift in the relative amounts of
various hormones. That is because the liver processes most sex
hormones. I have found many menopausal-aged people, both men and
women, who still had normal or even high levels of the circulating
sex hormones. Additional mammalian hormones in this instance are
inadvisable, because they can create an excess of hormones with
the attendant problems.
Safety and Effectiveness of Herbal "Hormones"
Let’s be very clear on this: herbs do not contain significant
amounts of human hormones. What many herbs DO have are chemicals
that are structurally similar to human hormones
— similar enough to bind to human hormone receptors and
have an effect on hormone levels. These plant substances are
called phytohormones, meaning "plant hormones."
Phytohormones have a unique effect that prescription hormones
(mammalian hormones) do not, in that they are amphoteric. This
means that plant hormones can act to balance hormone levels
regardless of the direction of imbalance. It’s really an eloquent
process.
Plant hormones are much weaker than human hormones, but they will
bind to human hormone receptors. In the climacteric, when hormone
levels are low, there are "empty" hormone receptors. Plant
phytohormones will bind here, and although their effect is weaker
(about one-fifth that of human hormones) it is a hormone effect.
Without a laboratory test, it is difficult to know exactly which
hormones are out of balance and by how much. But there are still
good self help measures that you can take.
First, remember that overall good health is critical to the body’s
production of hormones. Inadequate nutrients from diet is a major
factor in hormone imbalance. Excesses of certain foodstuffs,
especially alcohol, refined carbohydrates (sugars), and fats, can
all change hormone levels for the worst.
Faulty liver function, as evidenced by high cholesterol levels,
contributes to inadequate transformation of hormones. Improving
liver function is a key step in normalizing hormones and the
body’s response to hormones. (It is possible to have adequate
hormone levels and still have symptoms of deficiency or excess if
the liver is not working properly).
Normal weight is crucial to hormone balance. Fat cells manufacture
estrogen. This can lead to an excess in both men and women. Ever
see a man with a "beer belly" and breast-buds? (Female-like
development of breasts)? This is caused by an estrogen excess made
by the fat cells. Maintaining normal weight is important for
balanced hormones.
When
taking hormones without a doctor’s assistance, be sure to take an
herb formula that is balancing. (See the following
recommendations). It is HIGHLY INADVISABLE to take actual hormone
supplements, even if they are sold without a prescription, without
the advice and laboratory testing that a doctor can offer. Such
"hormones," available without prescription, include DHEA and
progesterone. (Many health food store brands of progesterone
creams do not contain the hormone, and the body cannot convert
wild yam (dioscorea) into progesterone, no matter how much the
lady at the health food store argues otherwise!)
Also remember that other non-sex-hormone factors can create
imbalances in the sex hormones. An excess or deficiency of thyroid
hormone will change sex hormone levels, and no amount of sex
hormone replacement will correct the problem until the thyroid
function has been compensated for.
DIET AND LIFESTYLE RECOMMENDATIONS
- Diet: eat a nutritious diet high in nutrient-rich foods.
Increase consumption of soy products (both sexes) if tolerated.
- Achieve and maintain a normal weight
-
Exercise regularly. 30
minutes, 3 times per week minimum.
- Don’t smoke! The climacteric occurs sooner in people who
smoke
PRIMARY SUPPORT for Women
-
Maxi Multi:
3 caps, 3 times per day with meals. Optimal (not minimal) doses
of vitamin E, C, B6, B12, folic acid, calcium, magnesium, boron,
and vanadium are particularly important for peri or
post-menopausal women.
- Omega 3 fatty acids:
Flax seed meal,
2 teaspoons per day with food
OR
Flax seed capsules:
2-4 caps, 3 times per day (target dose range: 6-12 caps per day)
OR
Flax seed oil:
1 tablespoon per day
OR
Max EPA
(Omega-3 rich fish oil): 1-2 caps, 3 times per day with meals
(target dose: 3-6 caps per day).
PRIMARY SUPPORT for Men
-
Maxi Multi:
3 caps, 3 times per day with meals. Optimal (not minimal) doses
of vitamin E, C, B6, B12, folic acid, magnesium, selenium, zinc
and bioflavonoids are particularly important for "menopausal"
(40+ years) men.
- Omega 3 fatty acids:
Flax seed meal,
2 teaspoons per day with food
OR
Flax seed capsules:
2-4 caps, 3 times per day (target dose range: 6-12 caps per day)
OR
Flax seed oil:
1 tablespoon per day
OR
Max EPA
(Omega-3 rich fish oil): 1-2 caps, 3 times per day with meals
(target dose: 3-6 caps per day).
-
Super Saw Palmetto:
1 cap, 2 times per day. May be increased to 3 times per day if
symptoms of BPH are present.
ADDITIONAL SUPPORT
See
Female Menopause
or
Male Menopause for
additional recommendations.
DR. MYATT’S COMMENT
A
hormone profile is the
first step toward making a good prescription for individualized,
natural hormone replacement therapy. Hormone tests can take the
guesswork out of this process and make correction surer and safer.
If you do not see noticeable improvement in six to eight weeks
with self-help measures, consider a
telephone consultation with
me. You will feel better and delay the aging process by
maintaining a youthful hormone profile.
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