Dr. Trowbridge’s Philosophy
The basics
As we become aging adults, we may notice behavior and body changes. Hormones are often to blame.
When we think of hormone changes, menopause is usually first to mind. This phase occurs when a woman’s ovaries down-regulate. This will ultimately stop her monthly egg production for fertilization. As the ovaries wind down their egg-production cycle, they also reduce hormone production. A woman might notice changes in her skin, hair, nails, and possible in weight distribution between her hips and waist. Loss of muscle strength, vigor, and energy vitality and resilience may appear too.
Bone softening (osteopenia/osteoporosis) may occur. This condition contributes to the death of every 1 in 6 women! Other common symptoms are hot flashes and emotional swings. Men must be aware not to take such attitudes personally, for the woman is not to blame for these hormonal changes! It is only natural, and the Jekyll-and-Hyde oscillations that arise in the otherwise stable woman he has known and loved for years will soon pass.
Although many of us only associate hormonal imbalances with women, it should be known that men may experience these changes too. Some folks have coined the term “menopause” even. Just as with women, men may experience alterations in their bodies in their 40s or 50s.
For both men and women, changes are often times sexual, such as lack of libido and performance. These symptoms may occur in earlier years, and if so, this is a great indication to invest in HRT–hormone replacement therapy. Individual symptoms will vary, so speak to your physician about specific questions. With my specialized training in urological surgery, I have up-close-and-peresonal experience with the tissue changes that occur as both men and women go through this aging transition. Thanks to the availability of biologically-identical and readily balanced hormones, many patients are able to reverse some (or even most) of these distressing changes.
Medications and Long-Term Use
Conventional doctors have long been trained to use prescription medications, such as Premarin or Prempro–which actually contains an estrogen female compound derived from the urine of pregnant horses! A widely reported study in late 2002 documented worrisome side effects, including increased rates of breast cancer, heart attacks, and strokes. Often times, doctors will keep a woman on such medications just long enough to “get her through” the disturbing symptoms of menopause and then discontinue all hormones. Hormone replacement therapy allows a woman to enjoy long-term, balanced hormones.
You may be thinking–why would I use these hormones after menopause? Well, the Journal of the American Medical Association reported in 1997 that remarkable benefits occur when post-menopausal women use estrogen. These benefits includes as much as a 50 percent reduction in osteoporosis, heart attacks, and strokes, reversal of thinning of the skin and vaginal mucous membrane, and reductions (and possible reversal) of Alzheimer’s disease. Most importantly, an extended life span may be in store too!
Many physicians have wrongly confused the giving of male hormones with an increased risk of prostate cancer. However, this is not true. If prostate cancer has already begun, testosterone may stimulate the cancer. But THINK… Teens and young adults have the highest levels of testosterone and almost NO prostate cancer! This statement is obviously false. Because of this confusion, many doctors ignore the wonderful benefits available from the use of testosterone into advancing years.
Remember…
Hormones play such a crucial role in our lives. Aside from the basics of estrogen and testosterone, which men and women both need, there are also thyroid gland hormones and adrenal stress/energy hormones. Doctors rarely learn the ins and outs of HRT management during medical school. Often times, many doctors aren’t certified enough to conduct such procedure.
My earliest years were with Harold Varon, M.D., who pioneered the use of hormones in rheumatoid and neurological diseases. I worked alongside John Lee, M.D., who popularized HRT and Art Koch, D.O. and Jonathan Wright, M.D., who both explored various innovative and personalized methods for HRT treatment programs.
We ask that you place trust in a physician who has had dozens of years of management experience with bio-identical natural hormones. HRT should not be a “special practice,” but routine.
Remember–your medical solution should always be customized for your personal needs! Prescriptions drugs cannot do this. Let Life Celebrating Health help you!
