Estrogen For Bone Health

@lbroomayo1 Lynn, I can share some experience with hormone replacement and what I have learned from my functional medicine doctors. What is prescribed for me is bio-identical hormone replacement that is custom made for me by a compounding pharmacy. My doctors have told me that bio-identical replacement of estrogen and progesterone reduce risks of colon cancer and also help maintain bone strength. The problems that happen that increase risks of cancer can be due to it not being a bio-identical match or that a person doesn't detox well, or hormones are not balanced. There are normal biochemical pathways the body uses to detox the end products of using estrogen and some people do it better than others. If the end products are not detoxed and removed, this can cause problems. The estrogen must also be balanced against progesterone for its protective effect because too much estrogen dominance causes problems. You don't need to have cycles if the hormone levels are set correctly. Functional medicine doctors and environmental medicine doctors try to achieve balance in the body so all the systems are working correctly and optimized for the best health. There are tests to measure if a patient is detoxing the hormone byproducts, and you can add supplements to help assist. My doctor recommended Orthomolecular Methyl CpG which is a supplement for heart health of several B vitamins, and this helps feed detox pathways. Functional medicine doctors think "outside the box" as opposed to conventional doctors who are prescribing manufactured pills that approximate human hormones and they read the studies of the effects of those prescriptions. That is why you are seeing their reactions of apprehension. I don't have the biochemical knowledge to fully understand this process, but a functional medicine specialist should. The field of environmental medicine was started by a practice in Dallas and they have research volumes for doctors that explain everything.

You can find information at https://www.aaemonline.org/ On the upper right corner of the website is a blue button where you can search for a provider. This link is a provider in Dallas, TX where a lot of the pioneering work was done in this field. https://www.ehcd.com/

I am glad to see that you are advocating for yourself, but please do check in with a specialist who understands the biochemistry of natural hormones. I am glad that you are working to maintain your health and there are many choices involved with that including efforts to reduce inflammation. It is something that needs to be properly tweaked to be balanced and optimized and keep it away from the dangers of approximation. Another thing you could consider is to have a genetic test to determine if your risk of cancer is higher than average. That might help in your optimization of your health. I know there are specific tests for a breast cancer gene, but there are also other tests that can predict cancer risks. Those might be specifc for specific cancers, but that is something you could ask your provider about.

Thank you for your comments. I do have a well connected network of licensed Board Certified physicians under Emory Health and Cone Health networks. I was offered a hormone drug therapy similar to yours by another doctor, but declined it. Toxins in my body are released by cycling estrogen and progesterone drugs monthly, by losing the uterine lining, which includes the toxins and other bacteria, which could morph into cancer cells. My mother once told me, "You come from long line of strong healthy people!" I have two parents who lived to be in their 90's and their parents before them had long life spans, with very little medical care. I have never smoked and my cancer risks are low genetically. Also, having access to good insurance plans, I have the best coverage for any income bracket at the best costs. I cannot discount the success I have had slowing aging, improving my physical and mental health with estrogen. I cannot ignore my success with the ability to stoop, bend, lift 25 lbs, pass AHA CPR certification and graduate from two academic programs in my 60's. The product of these medicines have had an amazing effect on my ability to live a full life.

However, that doesn't mean I won't consider Orthomolecular Methyl CpG, or similar drugs in the future as I ease in to old age. Ultimately, the choice of lifestyle and medical treatments are individual. The quality of good healthcare, not only depends on good physicians but the client's ability to assess their options and decide what bests fits their lifestyle and budget.

Lynn B. Brooks, MS, Ed.D. LPC-RN Candidate

Have you seen this documentary on PBS?

The M Factor: shredding the silence on menopause

Current thinking as research on menopause.

Are you using testosterone in your bioidentical hormone replacement?

I have an update for you since I wrote this original post. I have completed & graduated from community college with all of my nursing pre-requisites. I have transferred to a state university, but have not been accepted into their BSN program as of yet. However, I am nearing 70 in a couple of years. I haven't passed Nursing Physiology yet, a requirement for the BSN program. Also, my business is getting a lot of attention, and I want to hire a CEO so I can step back and complete my nursing credentialing for my business. I need to find the money to pay him.

I have changed my strategy and decided to focus on nursing technical skills development and certification before I reattempt the physiology course again next summer. Currently, I'm taking a Nutrition course also required for nursing and I am taking a CPR/AED curriculum course at a community college. It is a six week course. In order to pass the course, I have to demonstrate skills by performing 5 cycles of CPR/AED & first aid bandaging all in one session. I'm not sure I can count to 30, 5 times, but I am rehearsing.

Finally, I had a bone joint emergency, but I was lucky and found a good orthopedic doctor who has given me a temporary fix (4 shots of cortisol & lidocaine.) My bones are in excellent health with the estrogen therapy, just as I predicted with this strategy. However, estrogen doesn't fix worn tendons, aging bursae, and synovial fluid issues. Thanks for inquiring.

I have a similar viewpoint. Risk/reward! I am 76 and quality of life (whatever that means for the individual) is an important factor in my decision making. The actuarial tables say that the the average life expectancy for a person like me is 84. I am willing to take supposed risks if I am willing to face whatever consequences are attached. Question: are you including testosterone?

Just a proviso--for those of us with breast cancer, additional hormones of any kind seem to be counter indicated. As a rule, oncologists will prohibit estrogen replacement for breast cancer patients, particularly if tumors are hormone positive. This of course can create problems with osteoporosis, but in our cases the solutions are not found in estrogen (which is being blocked by aromatase inhibitors in any case). So while this conversation is interesting and glad some are being helped, I just want to mention that if you have breast cancer this avenue is most likely not open. Of course you can discuss this your doctors, but I've noticed that even a bit of local estrogen cream is counter indicated.

I will be 86 in 2 months and have read this with interest and would like to add an anecdotal comment. I have been taking Korean Red Ginseng and Siberian Ginseng for many yrs...since age 40s..stopped for a brief 5 yrs about age 50yrs when a Dr. Rxed HRTs ( I stopped the HRT when it was said to be dangerous etcetc.) and went back on Siberian &Red.Had my bones tested at age 71yrs and was told I had iron bones! Then had a total Hysterectomy at age 80yrs(Large ?? Growth (borderline??) on lft. Side and damaged lft.kidney) so stopped both ginsengs for about a yr. And restarted with Korean Red and added Siberian the following yr. Last summer 2024 had a 2nd bone test which showed 2" loss in height but bones are good! I think I have been lucky that I seem to have balanced myself out with the ginseng tho' now I do also take B12 and other vitamins and follow a strict diet due to ckd stage3b and being pre-prediabtic (2016)and avoiding Metformin which is counter-indicated for Kidneys and people over 80yrs. I have a feeling I am just going to drop dead one day but don't know when...a bit troubling but there seems nothing one can do about it....so I keep on painting and hope for a painless exit. My Main thing is that Ginseng seem to be very helpful and slows down growing hair on my face(which I hate).Hope this is encouraging to some. Thank you for listening.

I am intrigued !! I’ve been researching hormone replacements & although my risk level for heart disease is high, I intend to talk with a GYN, next week. I had a hysterectomy (complete) 42 years ago & no hormone replacements. My bones are suffering because of that as well as other issues. Please, if you would, keep in contact with me. I’m a retired nurse & am very interested in this.

I have recently begun bioidentical hormone replacement therapy including a testosterone pellet, progesterone pill and estrogen patch. My functional medicine provider is starting me on a very low dose of estrogen and estrogen cream that is applied vaginally. I decided to go the functional medicine route when my PCP, endocrinologist and a gynecologist said no to me. Have you watched the PBS documentary on menopause called The M Factor: shredding the silence on menopause? I realize that we must all make our choices based on our individual experience.

You r amazing Lynn and an inspiration for all. I am an RN BSN, 74 and still work 40+ hours/week. I also use bioidentical estrogen,testosterone, and progesterone and I feel amazing. I have been on it for over 10 years with no ill side effects only less bone and body pain. Good luck with your RN license I know you can do it and doubt you will ever regret it.