Menopause Journey

12/13/02

Ten years ago I decided to begin Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). I was motivated by health concerns about heart disease and osteoporosis but, I must admit, a big part of my motivation was due to vanity. I knew that I faced a probable future of sagging wrinkled skin and diminishing sex drive if I didn't do something. So I ran off to my gynecologist and began taking HRT.

My periods returned, or so it seemed. Later I learned that this was break-through bleeding. I became worried about the powerful effect of HRT on my systems. Anxiety about what I was doing won over vanity and I stopped my HRT. Later I found out that most women never even fill their prescriptions and of those that do less than 50% get a refill! My Mom had osteoporosis and I knew that going it alone through menopause was not a wise thing to do.

I do a lot of reading and knew about the use of "precursor hormones" that were a more sophisticated form of HRT. I read that these precursors are hormones made by the pituitary gland and that they can be taken as supplements to encourage the body to produce its own hormones as opposed to taking hormones by pill or patch.

I found out that pregnenolone is the precursor of several hormones including DHEA, testosterone and estrogen. So I began pregnenolone and progesterone cream but kept thinking, "I'm still taking a powerful hormone that was made in a laboratory."

Then, last spring I was at a lecture given by Stephanie Smith, an RN with degrees in Natural Medicine, Education and Herbology. She talked about herbs from South America, where she had traveled and studied with the shamans. She talked about one herb, MACA, which had remarkable rejuvenating properties, and was being used by women to eliminate hot flashes, fatigue and the other problems of menopause. She explained that MACA works by stimulating the hypothalamus gland which jogs the pituitary into producing the precursor hormones which eventually end up raising the estrogen, progesterone and testosterone levels as well as helping the adrenal glands to balance the thyroid and pancreas. So I changed again and began taking MACA750™ from Medicine Plants™. The idea of taking the precursor or precursors - a FOOD SOURCE- which would make any other kind of HRT unnecessary!

I began with 6 capsules a day and felt a little better but still had hot flashes and night sweats. Stephanie told me that my ordinary production of estrogen was slowed down from the all the HRT I had been taking. She said it sort of like my glands saying, "you seem to be getting what you need so I'm going to sleep." So I increased the amount to 15 capsules. After 9 days the flashing and night sweats stopped. Now, after a year I only need 3 capsules a day and some days I skip taking MACA750™. It seems the longer one takes MACA750™ the less of it is needed. Stephanie says it's like eating right for the first time in your life - no more "hormonal malnutrition."

I also use flaxseed oil and do moderate exercise. My skin looks great. I have energy and a profound sense of well-being. My sex drive remains healthy and I don't worry about osteoporosis or heart disease.

I write this because I want women to know that it takes more than a pill to maintain health into and beyond menopause. It takes a sense of responsibility that makes us go beyond believing anything we are told by doctors. In the end you may decide that HRT is suitable for you and that's OK -but do some research, find out what's out there...
© 2003 by Barbara Pollack

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Be well always.
Medicine Plants™

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