Hormone Replacement Therapy? How To Increase Your Stroke Risk
Monday
Aug 18, 2008
Hormone Replacement Therapy or HRT is an option that many women consider when dealing with the signs and symptoms of menopause.
For some, the decision is based on the degree of “miserableness” the effects of menopause is having on them. Hot flashes and night sweats seem to be the most uncomfortable demon in the mix and many reach a point of no return in getting relief from these symptoms.
A new hormone replacement therapy drug has emerged lately to provide women the relief they are seeking. Now available in over 90 countries, the drug Tibolone manufactured by Organan, a subsidiary of Schering-Plough of Kenilworth, NJ. The drug has not been approved for use in the U.S.due to the risks of stroke.
The drug is a synthetic that behaves like estrogen and progesterone in relieving the symptoms of menopause.
A new study just release Aug. 14th in the New England Journal of Medicine warns of an increased risk of stroke associated with the use of Tibolone.
Dr. Steven Cummings, of the California Pacific Medical Research Institute in San Fransisco conducted the study involving 4,538 post menopausal women giving them a 1.25 milligram dose of Tibolone over a 34 months period. The study found that the risk of stroke was 2.2 times greater in the women taking the drug over placebo.
Although the study did find a decrease in bone fracture and a reduced risk of colon and breast cancer, the study was halted because of the increased risk of stroke.
“It will not be available in the U.S. because the company is not asking the U.S. FDA to approve it” Dr. Cummings was quoted as saying in the report.
The stroke warning was specifically targeted at women 60 years of age or older and were cautioned to either stop taking the drug or not consider starting treatment with it altogether.
Dr. Cummings also stated that tibolone may be a good choice for the relief of menopausal symptoms in younger women.
Most prior studies concerning HRT with estrogen determined increases in the risk of stroke no matter what age the women were when taking the hormones.
The bottom line? The risks associated with tibolone are apparent and in reality all drugs being used to treat the signs and symptoms of menopause have their negative and positive effects.
The goal of any drug manufacturer is to discover therapeutics that do not present any potentially harmful side effects. Until then the degree of risk is certainly different for every woman and a complete physical check up and discussion with your doctor is necessary to determine which treatment is best for you.
Many women may want to consider a more natural approach in controlling the symptoms of menopause with herbal treatments (Have you tried our Menozac Free Trial!) that show promising results when taken early on and taken on a consistent basis. Depending on how severe your symptoms are this may be a very good approach in getting relief at least to a tolerable level without all the potential side effects inherent with HRT.
Again, this is something you should consider consulting with your physician with if your symptoms are severe and getting the best of you. Having a health diet and getting adequate exercise is also very important and starting a natural treatment program incorporating all three of these things may be the solution you are looking for.
Could Your Hormones Be “Out Of Tune“?
Peri Menopause: Know The Signs And Symptoms Of Menopause
Monday
Jul 21, 2008
The signs of menopause….or is it peri menopause in your case? Those two words can bring disdain to even the toughest of women. The time will come in every woman’s life when the road she has traveled since puberty will begin to change. Do you know the signs and symptoms you will be facing? Let’s find out.
The average age when most women begin to experience menopause or early menopause is usually somewhere between the ages of 40 and 49. It can strike at anytime beyond the age of 30. Lots of women discover that they begin menopause around the same age as their mothers did but not in all cases.
The only exception to this is in women who have had both ovaries and uterus surgically removed and in this instance will experience what is known as “surgical menopause.” If the ovaries remain after surgery then gradual menopause will take place as natural hormones are produced less over time.
Perimenopause in many cases can precede actual menopause. The ovaries begin producing less of the hormones progesterone and estrogen. When this occurs gradually the change begins and signs and symptoms of menopause can be very slight.
The most obvious signs of impending menopause is the noticeable skipping or delayed period or in some cases your periods occur more closer together than usual. Flow volumes are also affected and will be heavier or in some women lighter than normal.
Another symptom is the dreaded hot flashes which can usually begin in the chest area and radiate up into your head with pulsating sensations. Your skin may become reddened and sweating usually occurs as well.
Other symptoms which may occur with hot flashes may also include nausea and dizziness. Some woman experience headaches and rapid heartbeat.
Hot flashes occurring at night are also know as night sweats and also cause sleeping problems which in turn produces tiredness the next day contributing to the symptoms already being experienced.
Quite often emotional symptoms also occur which can include sadness, tiredness, anxiety, frustration and others. Seeing your physician is your best defense against these types of symptoms. There are treatments available that can help alleviate these symptoms and help make them more tolerable.
The process of peri menopause and menopause in general is usually very gradual and can take several years to run it’s course. Blood test can be taken by your physician to determine what stage of menopause your are in but in most cases when no period has taken place for 12 months, menopause has ended.
It is important to remember that all women experience menopause in different ways. The process can be fairly quick for some women and symptoms mild but for other it can take longer with more discomfort.
The good news is that there are a ton of new and exciting product available today both natural and prescribed that can have a huge effect on how you get through menopause. Treatments also include hormone replacement therapy and these should be discussed with your doctor to experience the results you desire.
