Confession #5: Evidence and Crazy Talk. Part 2 of 3.

Elizabeth Drewett

This is the second of three posts in response to a Newsweek headline, “Crazy Talk,” and the accompanying article “Best Life or Risky Advice?” which blasted talk-show host Oprah Winfrey for many things, including her support and use of bioidentical hormones.

A quick recap. First, read the Newsweek article for yourself. Second, make medical decisions based on medical research and evidence.

Bioidentical hormones are not the “solution of the week.” They are not a trend. Many out there are claiming bioidentical hormones are the cure for all that ails you. Seasons doesn’t make that claim. They are, however, a great solution for many women.

The Seasons Approach to Bioidentical Hormones is Balance.

The key to weathering the hormonal storms of womanhood is balance: balance between what we eat and how much exercise we get; balance between work and play; balance between rest and activity.

We also need balance on the inside. Balance between estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA, cortisol, thyroid, and melatonin. When these hormones became imbalanced (as mine did), we develop symptoms: hot flashes, fatigue, mood swings, irritability, mental fog, weight gain, just to name a few. This may or may not have anything at all to do with menopause (mine was stress and pregnancy related). But once these hormones are back in balance, the symptoms diminish or disappear.

And, oh, the bliss when the symptoms disappear! Don’t underestimate the value of just plain old “feeling good.” (Ladies, feel free to chime in with an Amen here!)

There Is No Blanket Prescription for Womanhood.

We can’t just take three pills and feel better (and if that doesn’t work, just do a hysterectomy). But that seems to be how modern medicine treats us. Think about it. We all have different bodies, different levels of hormones. These hormones are affected by environment, genetics, stress, pregnancy, etc. There’s no way my hormones and yours could be the same. Our lives are different. Our genetics are different. It just doesn’t make sense that our solutions should be the same.

So why is it that many physicians want to prescribe the same treatment for all of us? Birth control pills and anti-depressants are the prescription du jour for women between 30 and menopause. And for the those approaching/in/completing the BIG change of seasons (menopause), the prescription du jour is synthetic hormones and (yes) anti-depressants. Don’t get me wrong, here. There are some who need an anti-depressant for true symptoms of depression. But as a blanket prescription for womanhood, anti-depressants are a bad idea.

In fact, my husband told me a few years ago that I was the only wife he knew who wasn’t taking an anti-depressant – he and his friends actually had this conversation. That’s not to say I wasn’t having mood-swings. I just flat-out refused to take an anti-depressant even though my physician at the time offered it as an option. I knew depression was not my issue. It was something else. I just couldn’t quite put my finger on it.

You know, when the solutions you are offered in life just don’t work, you have to keep searching, especially when you just don’t feel good and you want your life back. I did keep searching. And I found a solution that worked. In my next post, I’ll complete my comments and share with you my solution.

See you there.