This Month's Focus: Hormones

1. The Subject of Hormones Can be Confusing
2. Hormone Replacement Watch-Outs
3. You Convert Testosterone and Progesterone to Estrogen!
4. Estrogen Dominant?
5. Testing & Intervention: Resources
6. Low Libido, UTIs, Vaginal Dryness or Menopausal Symptoms?

The Subject of Hormones Can be Confusing

• What are estrogens? 
• How are estrogens metabolized?  
• How can I learn  if I am genetically or epigenetically disposed to metabolize or methylate hormones poorly, creating cancer-causing estrogens in my body? See "Testing & Intervention: Resources," below.

Hormone Replacement Watch-Outs

According to Dr. Laura Ellis, women should:

1. avoid prescription estrogen that is administered orally, 
2. never take prescription estrogen without progesterone, and
3. consider functional testing to determine how the body is metabolizing hormones.

Keep in mind that birth control pills contain oral estrogen and that using birth control pills for at least 5 years prior to first full term pregnancy may add significant risk for developing breast cancer in the future.

Since prolonged estrogen exposure is a major risk factor for developing breast cancer, please take these watch-outs seriously.

Also, don't underestimate the importance of the third watch-out! 
Our bodies convert some testosterone and progesterone into estrogen. 

Since many doctors do not provide functional or metabolic pathway testing, be sure to ask for such testing and/or seek a Functional Medical Doctor or Functional Nutritionist. (See "Testing & Intervention: Resources," below.)

You Convert Testosterone and Progesterone to Estrogen!

Prolonged exposure to excess estrogen is the greatest risk factor for developing cancer and every man and woman converts some progesterone and testosterone to estrogen, often without symptoms. No wonder so many people are blind-sided with a diagnosis of cancer!   Please... spread the word.

To see how, click Hormone Cascade for a diagram.

Don't underestimate the importance of testing and intervention as an integral part of your cancer prevention plan. For more information and resources, read "Testing & Intervention: Resources," below and click About Aromatization by Dr. David Jockers DC, MS, CSCS and Converting Testosterone to Estrogen by Dr. Len Lopez.

Estrogen Dominant?

If you’ve been told that you are “estrogen dominant” or if you suspect that you might be, be aware that:

• Prolonged exposure to excess estrogen is the greatest risk factor for developing cancer.
• Consumption of sugar and refined carbohydrates are intrinsically linked to an excess of estrogen in the body, so reducing consumption may help reduce estrogen dominance, which in turn may reduce the risk for breast cancer.

• Aromatization 
• Best Aromatase Inhibiting Foods 

Testing & Intervention: Resources

Functional (Genomic) Nutritionists can test and tell you how much progesterone and testosterone you are converting to estrogens and how to intervene nutritionally and nutraceutically to reduce cancer risk.

Here are a few Functional (Genomic) Nutritionists along the Front Range:

• Boulder area: Kaye Reich CNTP, CGP (303) 834-8500
• Boulder Longevity Institute: Lesia Atkinson, MSc Human Nutrition (303) 443-0848
• Fort Collins area: Kristy Hall, ROHP, RNPP (970) 685-8531

If you are without a naturopath or functional MD or nutritionist who can provide such services, these resources are worth considering.

Consider Functional Genomics Nutritionists like these to learn how they can use your raw data from 23-and-me or Ancestry.com tests to help explain inherited genetic variations-epigenetics-gut-hormone connections, and what nutritional, nutraceutical, and behavioral changes are warranted.

Tirza’s Functional Nutritionist is Kaye Reich CNTP, CGP because of her holistic approach, wealth of knowledge and experience, and because we share common philosophies of self-care education and extensive handouts. (She also does TeleHealth, so you need not leave your house.)

Low Libido, UTIs, Vaginal Dryness or Menopausal Symptoms?

Many women use a vaginal cream formulation containing small amounts of estriol and progesterone (and sometimes testosterone) for treating Vaginal Dryness and UTIs and for addressing Menopausal Symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats.

Keep in mind that bio-identical hormone support carries less cancer risk than synthetic hormone support, and since vaginal absorption is more effective than other skin surfaces, smaller dosages are used.

Consider choosing health professionals already familiar with such protocols to  suggest the right treatment for you.

(***Note*** From Jonathon Wright: Women with estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer should not use any form of estrogen. Some doctors are still concerned that even natural bioidentical estrogen and testosterone could induce breast and other cancers by stimulating excess cellular proliferation.)

Learn more here:

• Bio-Identical Hormones 
• Estriol: Its Weakness is Its Strength 
• What is the Difference Between Estriol and Estradiol? 

For the scientifically-minded:

• Estrogen Metabolites Information Guide 
• Estrogen Metabolism and Breast Cancer 

 Be the Cure. Seek Prevention.