Conference turris::womannotes-v3

    After seeing a poor old woman, literally bent in half
    from osteoporis (sp?), I'd opt for the estrogen and take
    my chances with cancer....
    
    HRH

I don't remember which issue but Prevention had a brief review of some medical
studies on this and the replacement therapy seems the best bet. The cancer link
is minor and the benefits great. Of course, your personal medical background is
also an important factor here. liesl

    
    I have been on estrogen replacement for the past 1 1/2 years with
    no side effects at all.  If you don't go on it, my doctor told me
    that I would be at risk for heart disease as well as osteoperosis
    so I guess it's six of one and half a dozen of the other as far as
    getting cancer or dying from heart disease.  As stated in a previous
    note, the risk of cancer is minimal and the benefits of estrogen are
    worth it as far as I'm concerned.  I have check-ups every six months
    and my doctor does a mamogram once per year so I feel reasonably safe
    with all this close monitoring.
    
    Susan
    

Isn't a predisposition to osteoporosis genetic?

Maybe if you know there is a history of osteoporosis in your family, it
would be more in favor of estrogen therapy than if there was not?

(Not relevent for me yet, but I'm listening, because there *is* a long
and extreme history of osteoporosis in my family.)

D!

	RE: .4
		D!, 
	
	My Mother is 91....has never broken any bones...but did take Premarin
for years due to surgical menopause.  My Father broke a hip at 81 that had
to be pinned.  He died about 8 years ago but had many other problems other
than that....mostly heart and vascular related infirmaties.

	My take of this therapy is so far..."if it ain't broke don't fix it"

	I hear of women taking the therapy having spotting into their 80's,
breast tenderness....growing hair on upper lip.....(GACK).  When does this
fun end.

	I'm not experiencing that much in "hot flushes" so am really wondering
if I need anything at all.  The thing that it might help would be the family
predisposition to heart condition which "is" prevelant in my family.

A.

    There is an excellent book on the market today on hysterectomies that
    has an in-depth section on HRT. The author describes in depth the
    workings of our reproduction system.  She also discusses in-depth
    cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis.  She makes a pretty good case
    against hysterectomy.  My reason for putting this here is a pointer for
    some good, solid information on HRT.  The name of the book escapes me
    at the moment, but when I get home, I'll put the title and author in
    here.....
    
    Karen

	re: .6 

	Thank you, I would appreciate a good reference book name.

	Ann P.

    RE.0
    
    I've studied HRT some to understand what the behavour of estrogen 
    is in the body. It's worth while even considering the risks which 
    are low.  Actually the risk is trading one potential set of problems
    for another.  If I remember right it was not a increased risk of
    cancer, it was the type that might occur.  The side effects should
    not include body hair changes.  The intent of HRT is to place back
    in balance what was before, so the only change should be a return to
    normal health.
    
    It seems the biggest problem is lack of knowledge by both doctors
    and patients.  Remember if the correct dosage is given it only
    replaces a hormone already present at a depressed level..  If the
    dosage is wrong some of the side effects are like menopause(if low)
    or spotting(to high) and only a blood test can verify the correct
    levels.
    
    Allison

    If you're still young enough, weight-bearing exercise to build up the
    calcium supply is an excellent idea. I read an article in which they
    said that women can store calcium in the "calcium bank" until about 40,
    at which time, you're mostly withdrawing. The idea, of course, is to
    have your "bank balance" last through your 70's or 80's to prevent
    osteoporosis. 
    
    Prevention magazine also had an article recently in which a study was
    cited - it showed that weight-bearing exercise after menopause can
    greatly help prevent osteoporosis.
    
    --DE
    

    Well, so far, I've experienced absolutely no side effect from the
    estrogen.  I've had no breast tenderness or extra hair growth or
    spotting or anything.  As stated in a previous note, estrogen should
    just return your natural hormone level and not add or subtract any
    other side effect.  Before I started taking it, I had extensive 
    conversations with my doctor and she listed all the pros and cons
    and the pros far out-weighed the cons.
    
    Susan
    

	RE: .9 
		I'm assuming you mean weight lifting type of excercise?

	Please elaborate if this is not correct.  My doctor has indicated
I definitely need to get into some kind of program.  I see him again in
September will go over all this again including the HRT... just trying to
convince myself that maybe I could do it naturally without any introduction
of a synthetic substance...will look into the holistic side of it too.  "An
informed consumer is the best consumer" to paraphrase.

	Thanks everyone for the inputs....keep them coming.

	Ann P.

    I'm also on estrogen and progesterone as treatment for symptoms
    of menopause. This is my fourth month on it, and I'm finally free
    of hot flashes which has been a major relief.
    
    Bonnie

    Weight bearing esercise involves walking, biking, running, etc.  This
    is to put stress on the long bones to keep them building bone mass.  I
    think this is why heavier women are less likely to suffer osteoporosis
    than very thin women.  They are consistatly putting more weight and
    stress on the bones to keep them doing their thing.
    
    Meg

    Weight bearing esercise involves walking, biking...

Biking is a weight bearing exercise?  Are you sure? Seems like the opposite,
since the whole point is that you are sitting down while doing it.

D!

    Yes but D!, you are pushing the peddles fairly vigorously one would
    assume.  It is the stress on the bones that you are looking for to
    build them, not the jarring that you get from running or walking just
    the weight.
    
    Meg

    Bicycling is on the fringe of "weight-bearing", but I think it counts.
    What *doesn't* count is stuff like swimming - which is marvelous
    aerobically, but doesn't do anything to stress the bones to form more
    calcium.
    
    I once saw comparative x-rays of Martina Navratilova's forearms. The
    bones in her racquet arm were perceptively more dense than the bones
    of her non-racquet arm! So the exercise doesn't have to be
    weight-bearing per se, but it *does* have to apply a good amount of
    stress to the bones, so they produce more calcium.
    
    --DE
    

    As someone who is suffering from early menopause (I'm now 37), I
    am for HRT.  Who wants to have the body of an 80-year old womman
    at age 40?!?!  I'm only taking what is necessary to replace what
    is missing.  This will help me to age normally and prevent early 
    osteoporsis (sp?).  
    
    L
    

Re: a few back:

Exercise does not *necessarily* have to start early to be beneficial
against osteoporosis.

I remembered seeing a science show sometime back (Nova?  Discover?) where
researchers studied women at a nursing home who participated in a
dance-and-exercise program.  Not very strenuous, mind you, but it did
get them up on their feet.  They found significant improvement in the
women's bone mass as they kept up with the program, and all women in
the program had more bone mass than other women at the nursing home who
did not participate.  The women ranged in age from about 60 to 90... so
"I'm too old" is NOT a valid excuse not to start! 8-)

--jim

    RE: .18
    
    I didn't see the program, but as I said, Prevention magazine cited
    statistics along those lines. It's never too late to start exercise,
    but I would think the later you start, the more you'd have to combine
    some kind of hormone therapy with the exercise (?) Preferably not,
    of course.
    
    BTW - I'm sure tennis, as a running sport, would qualify as
    weight-bearing, but I wouldn't assume the average player would develop
    the kind of *forearm* bone-mass as Martina. I mean, she hits that ball
    *hard*!
    
    --DE
    

    I have been on Premarin since Jan, 1990 when I had my Hysterectomy. 
    I was 43 yrs old, so the Dr. suggested Premarin.  He said I was too
    young to not take just nothing!  I had doubts, and
    once in a while I forget to take them for a while...And let me tell you, 
    ANYTHING that keeps these TERRIBLE hot flashes away I will take!
    
    When I first started getting them (hot flashes), I didn't know what
    they were, so I asked in WN2.  Glad I found out, because I thought I
    was dying.  I got them so bad that I wanted to tear my clothes off and
    jump into ice!
    
    Also, the mood swings were terrible, until I got the doseage regulated,
    I was Up one minute, down the next.  I am off for them for one week out
    of the month and that is fine, but if I stay off a little longer....look 
    out!  What a b*tch I am.  I have to take two tablets in the morning 
    then 1 about 2:00 P.M. and I am fine.
    
    Happy to say....I'm MUCH better than I was......Thanks mostly to the
    people who helped me thru the hysto and hot flashes, etc.  the people:
    
                       In This Notefile!
    
    Thanks, Thanks, Thanks,
    
    
    Jackie  %^)      

   Re .18
    
    Yes I also saw that program (forgot the name also) and it was clear
    exercise of any kind helped the bones.   It also pointed out some
    secondary benefits like better balance and coordination which may
    help avoid falls and broken bones.  
    
    Someone commented about synthetic drugs...  hormones are available
    as synthetic and natural.  Premarin is estrogen derived from natural
    sources (actually several different estrogens).  In either case 
    Why would synthetic be bad if it completely replaces something 
    missing.
    
    
    Allison

    Hi all,
    
    Three years ago my doctor recommended that I begin taking estrogen
    since there was evidence I had begun menopause.  After discussing
    the pros and cons I decided NOT to take it.  About 6 months later I was
    back in her office asking for a prescription.  The hot flashes got so
    bad I had to sleep in another room, I was opening the window and my
    husband was closing it, I would wake up in the middle of the night
    soaked with perspiration but did not want to wake my husband up so I
    would just lay there and shiver after the flush wore off.  I would be
    so tired the next morning I began yawning all day long at work....I
    knew I had to do something, if even just for a little while.
    I have been on estrogen (premarin) for 2 1/2 years and progesterone for 
    1 1/2.   I am on the lowest dose of
    both, just enough to make my body think I am still ovulating but not
    enough for any side effects that I am aware of.  In March we were told
    that our group might go away and the closer the end of FY91 came the
    more uptight we all became not knowing if we were going to loose our
    jobs or not and I completely forgot to begin my medication on the 1st
    of June.  Around the 7th the flashes started AGAIN...as well as big
    time stress.  Needless to say, I started them up again and it will be a
    while before I consider stopping but I WILL eventually stop and let
    nature take its course.  I have a physical, pap smear and
    mammogram every year as well as blood checks for the correct level of
    estrogen.  I try to get in 1/2 hour brisk walks at least 3 times a week
    and drink lots of water.  I feel great.  By the way, the progesterone
    is to keep the vagina lubricated since menopause dries it up and makes
    intercourse a bit painful unless you use KY jelley or some such.  And
    remember ladies, a woman can look up longer than a man can look down,
    especially if she is taking progesterone (smile).
    
    My daughter who is 34 has uterine fibroid tumors and her doctor has 
    prescribed medication that stops the body from producing estrogen 
    in order to shrink the tumors before they are surgically removed.  One
    of the side effects she will have are hot flashes.  
    
    Medical science.  Seems there is a pill for everything except perfect
    health, wealth and happiness.
    
    Hope this helps.
    
    O.R.    
      

    Here is the name of the book:
    
    Hysterectomy:  Before and After.  A Comprehensive Guide to Preventing,
    Preparing for and Maximizing Health After Hysterectomy - With Essential
    Information on Menopause.
    
    The author is Winnifred B. Cutler, Ph.D
    
    Sorry, it took so long to enter this in here......
    
    Karen

    RE.22
    
    I have a question, I am taking premarin as I stated in my note, but
    when I read your note you are taking progesteron....is it only for
    lubrication?
    
    Also, You said that you get your blood checked for the proper estrogen
    level......my doctor doesn't do that.....How is that done?  Do you mean
    that I have been playing with this (trying to get myself regulated
    all by myself for over a year and I could have had a blood test?
    
    Thanks,
    
    Jackie  %^)

    A friend here at work called and got a sample of a newsletter called
    Menopause NEws.  It seems to be very informative.  If you want to find
    out more about it the address is
    
    Menopause News
    2074 Union Street, Suite 10
    San Fransisco, CA  94123
    
    Phone (415) 567-2368
    
    It's publsihed 6 times a year and a subscription is $23.
    
    Polly

    
    
    Hey where is everyone?  Anyone come up with an anser to my questions?
    
    
    
    Jackie     %^)
    

  Jackie,
   	
   I'll try to answer your questions.


<    I have a question, I am taking premarin as I stated in my note, but
<    when I read your note you are taking progesteron....is it only for
<    lubrication?

   Mostly to simulate the normal cycle and give the body a break from the
   estrogens.
    
<    Also, You said that you get your blood checked for the proper estrogen
<    level......my doctor doesn't do that.....How is that done?  Do you mean
<    that I have been playing with this (trying to get myself regulated
<    all by myself for over a year and I could have had a blood test?
    
   The blood test is serum estrogen.  Also any dosage change takes about
   20 days.  Premarin is a very slowly absorbed hormone.
   	
   Allison