Seasons Wellness Clinic

Oprah Wonders if You Should Replace Your Hormones

I don’t usually watch Oprah, let alone record her show. Not that I don’t like Oprah, I just am busy working during her show hours. But that ended last week when I actually recorded my first Oprah show. I know, I know… why now?

Oprah was discussing her experience with Bio-identical hormones. This is not the first time that Oprah or a celebrity has talked about her personal interests. In most cases, I’m not a big fan of people offering their opinions just because they are famous.

This time, though, I’m actually cheering Oprah on!

First, her site has posted Oprah’s clear explanation of Bioidentical hormones. More importantly, she is taking on the establishment of Hormone Replacement Therapy. In this case, Oprah is right, and the establishment is wrong.

Oprah is not the first to talk about Bioidentical hormones. Suzanne Somers was the first in 2004 with her book, The Sexy Years: Discover the Hormone Connection. Suzanne Somers followed that up with Ageless, The Naked Truth About Bioidentical Hormones.

Why is this so important you ask? These women are doing what most Doctors can’t and won’t do. They are taking on the establishment and leading the way to a healthier alternative for women. I admit that it seems strange that patients are leading the way to healthier alternatives in Hormone Therapy. Shouldn’t that be the role of doctors?

Well, yes. But it’s complicated. See, doctors as a whole like to keep each other in line (even to their detriment). Unfortunately, sometimes our lines aren’t going anywhere. When that happens, we’re just marching in circles.

A friend of mine, Eldred Taylor, MD, explained in his book Are Your Hormones Making You sick? that “getting out of line” is very hard.

  1. When one doctor gets out of line, it may reveal that the establishment is marching in circles.
  2. It creates an alternative to the standard of care.

This is important. The medical standard of care is safer and healthier when it is based on the latest scientific research. Sometimes, though, the medical standard of care is simply medical stagnation. It is the standard just because everyone is doing it. When the medical establishment resists innovation and change, the medical standard of care is not safer, healthier. In fact, it is not even supported by the latest scientific research!

Oprah Winfrey and Suzanne Somers, not the collective medical community, are the leaders in women’s health today. It’s ironic, but that is the way it is. And I am now proud to say:

Go Oprah, Go Suzanne Somers: empower women!

Lead the way to a safer and healthier life. As long as you stay on the right side of the latest scientific research.

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  • http://www.thefreshpharmacy.com Joe Nowell, Pharm.D.

    I have not seen the episode yet. However, I have already heard patients talking about her show. Can you download it on the website? Like you, I work during her show and never see it. I am glad to see media recognition of BHRT. We have so many women to fix and so little time! It would revolutionize the health care system as we know it if the vast majority of practitioners would adopt this method of treatment!

  • Elizabeth Drewett

    Thank you, Dr. Goodyear, for posting this article with links to Oprah’s show. I am a new person since you began treating me with bioidentical hormones over a year ago. While I am not of the age group of menopause, my hormones were very unbalanced due to stress and pregnancies. My quality of life has improved from a D- to an A. I hope more women like myself will investigate bioidentical hormones and take a step toward living a better life!

  • Jacqueline

    I actually just watched the show on youtube and am glad to read your post and links. I also found this article about bioidenticals to be pretty informative — http://www.womentowomen.com/bioidentical-hrt/bioidenticalhormones.aspx
    I just wish Oprah or one of her panel had talked about xenoestrogens and the role they play during menopause. I look forward to keeping up with your blog!

    • http://seasonswc.com Nathan

      Excellent article. I especially like the breast cancer and bioidenticals part. Many breast cancer survivors suffer needlessly, because of fear generated out of confusion. By themselves, low progesterone levels increase a woman’s risk of premenopausal breast cancer 5.4 times.

      Xenoestrogens are one of the major contributors to the rise in Breast Cancer incidence.