Blood, Sweat and Hot Flashes

by Dr. Carolyn Dean, M.D, N.D.

What are menopausal women to do now that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can no longer be considered a medical miracle? After a brief history of HRT, we’ll look at some natural solutions to what is, after all, a perfectly natural stage of life.

Premarin, the most widely used form of estrogen, is synthesized from pregnant mare’s urine (some find that reason enough not to use it). It was discovered in the 1940s but did not become popular until 1966, when Dr. Robert Wilson wrote a book entitled Feminine Forever, which convinced many women that they could combat the effects of aging by taking estrogen supplements. By 1975 Premarin was the fifth best-selling drug in America, and marching right alongside it was the uterine cancer rate, which had also risen sharply, as reported in the New England Journal of Medicine in 1975.

Instead of taking Premarin off the market, its manufacturer convinced doctors and patients that while Premarin alone might lead to the overstimulation of the uterus, its use in conjunction with ….the synthetic hormone progesterone would counteract that effect. It was also suggested by many specialists that HRT combining estrogen and progesterone would help prevent heart disease, osteoporosis and other ailments, even Alzheimer’s disease.

HRT continued to increase in popularity until July 17, 2002, when the Journal of the American Medical Association reported that a major federal study of hormone replacement therapy using Prempro, a drug combining Premarin and Progestin, had been brought to an end three years ahead of schedule. The study confirmed that women… taking the drug faced a greater risk of breast cancer, heart attack, stroke and blood clots than those on the placebo and confirmed the lack of evidence that HRT prevents osteoporosis, heart disease or Alzheimer's. Both estrogen and progesterone in various forms are also “reasonably anticipated to be a carcinogen,” according to the National Institutes of Health, although the doses given in HRT are not considered significant.

Nevertheless, many women are rethinking their commitment to HRT and are looking for other methods to counteract the effects of menopause. It is unfortunate that Americans have been led to think of menopause as a disease deserving medical treatment, when it is, of course, a natural stage in life. In some countries, menopause is even a sign that a woman has reached wise woman or elder status, and there is little reportage of menopausal symptoms. But in this country, where there is such an emphasis on youthful appearance and a general debasement of aging, many women have a much harder time with menopause, a period when the abuses of life style, poor diet, environmental toxins and stress may reach a critical threshold. The overworked liver is so busy detoxifying environmental toxins that it’s hormone production suffers and menopause symptoms are aggravated.

Sherrill Sellman ND who writes Hormone Wise Digest says that symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia and mood swings are caused by a decline of adequate progesterone levels rather than of estrogen. It may also be that hormonal imbalances and “menopausal” symptoms are the result of other health problems, such as a sluggish thyroid, blood-sugar imbalances, compromised liver functioning, inflammation of the digestive tract, dehydration, parasites and heavy-metal toxicity.

The first place to begin to deal with these symptoms is your diet. Sugar, refined carbohydrates, caffeine, alcohol, fried foods, hydrogenated oils and spicy foods all worsen the symptoms of menopause; promote bone loss, and are responsible for many other illnesses and chronic degenerative diseases. Avoid these foods and replace them with lots of organic vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, proteins (free-range chicken, and eggs, and fish) and good-quality oils like virgin olive oil, flaxseed oil and coconut oil.

Next, increase your daily exercise, which is vital to prevent osteoporosis. Almost any form of regular exercise will help—walking, lifting small weights, biking, swimming, yoga and Tai Chi. Deep breathing exercises, deep relaxation and meditation practices also help because psychological stress can aggravate hot flashes and night sweats.

Dozens of supplements can help alleviate and prevent menopausal symptoms by providing basic building blocks for hormones, bones, liver detoxification, and the immune system. All the complex metabolic functions in the body absolutely require vitamins and minerals as co-factors. We would like to think we get all our necessary nutrients in the diet, but we probably don’t. But, when you purchase supplements look for brands that say, “from natural, organic sources.” While there has been no drug company study of natural supplements specifically for menopause there has been enough research  about the benefits of natural supplements to recommend them for many aspects of menopause.

•    A good multivitamin/anti-oxidant vitamin and absorbable mineral supplement daily for general health
•    Calcium and magnesium for the bones and teeth—calcium lactate 1,000 mg per day and magnesium 500 mg per day. Check labels to find out he actual amount of mineral you want. For example a 500 mg capsule of magnesium oxide has only 300 mg of magnesium.
•    Natural vitamin E (d-alpha tocopherol)-for heart protection, and hot flashes. 400 to 800 IU daily
•    Bioflavinoids such as hesperidin-for strengthening small blood vessels, capillaries, which helps hot flashes and blood circulation and the heart. 1000 mg per day.
•    Vitamin C-for collagen (wrinkle prevention) 500 mg twice a day
•    Evening primrose oil-for the immune system, hot flashes, and the nervous system.
•    B Complex vitamins-for energy,  25 to 100 mg daily-look for a natural source brand. The B vitamins are drained by both coffee and synthetic estrogen.
•    Essential fatty acids (fish oils, flax seed oil)-contain phytoestrogens that help hot flashes and fatigue
•    Probiotics such as acidophilus to improve the natural bowel flora and help digestion.

Herbal remedies should be organic, so that you may avoid pesticides and herbicides. The following remedies can be taken singly or in combination as tinctures, capsules or teas: black cohosh (for hot flashes), Vitex (for phytoprogesterone), ginseng (for energy), licorice root (to support the adrenals), wild yam (for phytoestrogens), sage (hot flashes, hormonal regulation).

A natural progesterone may be used as a supplement—as a transdermal cream, serum, troche or spray—under the supervision of your health practitioner. Ask for salivary hormone levels testing before taking any hormones.

Homeopathic medicines are different from vitamins or herbs. They are prescribed for the individual and their particular set of symptoms. Use 6x or 12x potencies. I will list some examples, but I recommend that work with a homeopath to find the medicine best suited to your case.

•    Lachesis: when heat is felt all day long, severe flushing, night sweats and headaches
•    Pulsatilla: for especially sensitive, emotional women with milder hot flashes
•    Sepia: for women who are both emotional and exhausted
•    Belladonna: for many hot flashes

Originally (Written for the City Island Current)

Dr. Carolyn Dean MD ND
Proficient in both conventional and alternative medicine Dr. Dean offers Consultations for Health by Phone. Her website is www.drcarolyndean.com and email address is holeopharm@pol.net.
Carolyn Dean MD ND has been in the forefront of health issues for 30 years. She is the Medical Director of VidaCosta Spa el Puente, a health spa in Costa Rica opening in 2011. Dr. Dean is President of Hallmark-Dean Academy, U.S., a licensed school that trains Laboratory Technicians and Wellness Guides in a unique, licensed, functional, computerized, urinalysis lab test. Dr. Dean is the author/coauthor of 16 health books including The Magnesium Miracle, Yeast Connection and Women's Health, IBS for Dummies, VidaCosta Good Health Ecyclopaedia eBook. All her titles can be viewed at drcarolyndean.com.