Elizabeth Drewett

This is the third 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. Read the Newsweek article for yourself. Second, make medical decisions based on medical research and evidence. Third, the right approach to bioidentical hormones is balance. Fourth, there is no blanket prescription for womanhood.

Individualized Treatment Results in Balanced Hormones.

In my last post, I talked about the blanket prescription for womanhood that seems to prevail in the medical world out there. But for me, the right answer was a treatment plan that balanced my hormones.

At Seasons, my hormones were tested and found to be terribly out of whack. Dr. Goodyear developed a therapy plan which included several varieties of bioidentical hormones according to my individual needs and life changes like proper nutrition and exercise. After a period of time, they retested my hormones and adjusted my prescriptions. This cycle continues until the body returns to normal hormone levels with no bioidentical hormone support.

My course of treatment will soon come to an end. It has been nearly a two year journey marked by gradual and noticeable improvement. I feel so much better now. And girl has it been interesting! I am so much more educated about my body and how it works.

I also have more courage. I stood up to “hearsay” with scientific evidence. I feel comfortable researching medical issues. I am aware that there are multiple sides to any story. I am confident I made the right choice for me.

Image via Wikipedia

Give Kudos To Courageous Women.

Right or wrong, Oprah and Suzanne Somers said, “Hey…traditional medicine isn’t working for us! Is somebody listening?” Many of us echo that sentiment. I’ve had multiple conversations with multiple doctors in different states about my health problems. No one seemed to have an answer other than those treatments du jour I mentioned in Confession #5.

The fact is, Mr. Kosova and Mr. Wingert (authors of the Newsweek article), women listen to Oprah because they identify with her. She listened to us. She is one of us. She came from nothing, worked hard, made her dreams come true, and now helps her viewers and listeners accomplish their goals. She has challenged us to run marathons, read books, and ask questions. We listen when she asks questions! And we listen when she offers solutions.

And this time, she found the same health solution that I did.

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.