I had a hysterectomy earlier this year. I am 39 years old. I’ve tried many different hormone replacements and have had bad side effects with them all. Two weeks ago, I was so sick of the side effects that I stopped taking anything. I feel great now, and I haven’t had one hot flash since. I’m taking 1,200 mg of calcium daily, and I exercise every day. Do I need any other type of medication to prevent osteoporosis and heart disease?
There is almost always a tolerable form of estrogen replacement that can be found for the women who need it, and I encourage you to try to find one. We prescribe many natural hormone combinations using Estriol, Estradiol, progesterone and others. Pharmaceutical companies do not make these formulations. A physician who is familiar with compounded natural hormones must formulate them and have them compounded by a pharmacy. You can contact the Women’s International Pharmacy to get a list of physicians in your area that are familiar with these kinds of hormones.
And yes, there are other important things to know about preventing osteoporosis: magnesium, vitamin D, vitamin K, ipriflavone, exercise and diet, to name a few. Strategies for preventing heart disease include diet, exercise, vitamin E, garlic, folic acid, coenzyme Q 10, fish oils, soy products and much more. The chapters on osteoporosis and heart disease in the book, Women’s Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine (Keats Publishing), are comprehensive and will give you a deep understanding of these issues.
