All Estrogens Are Not Created Equal

There is a lot of confusion in the medical and non-medical communities regarding estrogens. Many today think there is only one estrogen. Many today think bioidentical estrogens and synthetic estrogens are identical in structure and function. Many today think estrogen production stops after menopause or after a total hysterectomy. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth.

The body never stops producing estrogens. The body, in fact, produces 3 types of estrogens: estradiol, estrone, and estriol. These are the natural estrogens native to the body and the foundation of bioidentical hormone replacement of estrogen.

A woman’s body produces estrogens in various places. Most people knows that ovaries produce estrogens. But did you know that the adrenal glands and fat cells produce estrogens, too? Think about that for a minute. This explains why women of all ages continue produce estrogen. Our adrenal glands don’t disappear at menopause. And fat cells certainly don’t. So how do we know if a woman needs estrogen?

Let’s look more closely at the 3 main estrogens produced in the body.

• estradiol
• estrone
• estriol

Estriol is a good place to start. Estriol is the weakest of all Estrogens. A woman’s placenta produces very large amounts of estriol during pregnancy. However, estriol is not confined to pregnancy. The liver produces small amounts, too. Estriol primarily affects a woman’s hair, nails, skin, and her vaginal lining. Studies also suggest estriol has potential in breast cancer prevention because estriol binds to specific receptors (beta-receptors) in the breast that inhibit breast cell growth. All other estrogens would be expected to increase breast cell growth (which can lead to cancer) through activity with alpha-receptors.

Estrone is the second most potent estrogen. Estrone is predominately produced in fat cells after menopause. Overweight women have high circulating estrone levels. Unfortunately, 63% of American women are overweight or obese, so many women have high estrone levels. Estrone levels rise even more after menopause, and estrone has been implicated in breast tumors in animal studies. (Scientists say this because estrone has a 5:1 affinity for alpha breast receptors, but that’s pretty technical.) Just remember that alpha-receptors increase breast cell growth. You could say estrone encourages breast cell growth, and that can lead to uncontrolled breast cell growth. We call that breast cancer.

Estradiol is the most potent estrogen. Estradiol is produced predominately from the ovaries. This means a woman will have less estriadiol after menopause because her ovaries are producing less. Estradiol is the main stimulus for growth of the lining of the uterus in the first 2 weeks of the monthly cycle, and it helps in triggering ovulation. Like estrone, estradiol has been implicated in breast tumors. It has a 3:1 affinity for alpha-receptors in the breasts, which promote breast cell growth and can lead to cancer.

That’s a lot of information for one blog post, I know. But remember the overall point. Bioidentical hormone therapy is much more than the use of bioidentical estrogen. It is about which estrogens your body needs to maximize efficacy, reduce side effects, and prevent disease.

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Seasons Ruston Offers Solution for Varicose Veins

It’s here! Seasons Ruston is now offering Varilase, a new alternative in the treatment of varicose veins. This procedure, called endovenous laser therapy, is a non-surgical method of resolving the unsightly, painful and potentially dangerous effects of varicose veins. Lasers are a proven means of treating many medical conditions because of their inherent precision, reliability and safety. The application of lasers to the treatment of varicose veins is a welcome, non-surgical alternative and is performed at our fully equipped Ruston medical office.

In endovenous laser therapy, a small incision is made into the varicose vein, which has been numbed with a local anesthetic. A very thin laser fiber is then inserted into the vein and directed to the desired treatment location. When the laser is activated, thermal energy is delivered, causing the vein to close. The laser fiber is gradually withdrawn until the entire diseased vessel is treated. The whole procedure lasts less than one hour. After treatment, patients can walk immediately and return to normal activities.

Dr. Goodyear is very pleased to offer this new therapy to patients. “Endovenous laser therapy is a very patient-friendly procedure,” he said. “It can be done right in the office, and the results are excellent. Before this therapy was developed, the only effective treatment for large varicose veins was vein stripping, an invasive surgical procedure with a lengthy recovery period. Now, these same patients can be treated in the office, and the procedure is often covered by insurance. Because the therapy is both effective and cost-effective, more and more patients are choosing to have their veins treated by the laser. Endovenous laser therapy is a major advancement in treatment of varicose veins.”

To counteract the forces of gravity, veins have valves that prevent blood from flowing backwards as it is pumped back toward the heart. Over time, these valves can weaken, allowing blood to pool inside the vein. This can cause the vein to distend, resulting in the “rope-like” appearance commonly associated with varicose veins. This condition can lead to a range of serious circulatory problems, including blood clots, leg ulcers and poor circulation. Varicose veins are a very common problem – approximately 25% of women and 15% of men in the United States suffer from this condition. Women are more prone to suffer from varicose veins because of pregnancy, and heredity has been shown to be a contributory factor as well.

To schedule a screening and find out if you are a candidate for Varilase, contact our Ruston office at 318-255-3223. For more information, visit treatveins.com.