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Hi'iaka's Healing Herb Garden : Column Index : 2002 : Dec02
Coming Soon...
For Women and the Men Who Love Them: An Interview With Merri Lu Park, Author of MENOPAUSE: Time For a Change
Ever since 1966, doctors have told midlife women that taking drugs called hormone replacement therapy (HRT) would help them avoid heart disease, strokes, blood clots and breast cancer and keep them feeling and looking young. But in July 2002, a huge study called the Women's Health Initiative was stopped early because it proved that HRT increases women's chances of getting the very diseases they had been told these drugs would prevent. It left many women confused and frightened. Women and doctors suddenly feared the medicine that they had been relying on for relief of the unpleasant aspects of menopause.
I wanted to talk story with an expert to clear up misinformation: Merri Lu Park is a nurse, kama`aina and author of the book MENOPAUSE: Time For a Change. We talked about the history and uses of HRT drugs and natural remedies like herbs that many women find helpful.
Barbara: Aloha, Merri Lu, and thanks for joining us. What exactly is HRT?
Merri Lu: The prescription drug Premarin is artificial estrogen and Provera is synthetic progesterone. When women approach menopause, their ovaries produce less of these two hormones. Premarin alone is called ERT and the combination is called HRT.
Barbara: How and when did people start believing that women should replace these hormones?
Merri Lu: In 1966 Dr. Robert Wilson wrote a best-selling book, "Feminine Forever." He wrote that estrogen could keep women young, healthy and attractive. Dr. Wilson enthusiastically preached that estrogen could "save" these women. "Breasts and genital organs will not shrivel," he said. "Such women will be much more pleasant to live with and will not become dull and unattractive." He said that all women should take artificial estrogen years before menopause and stay on it for the rest of their lives. He never mentioned that the manufacturer of Premarin, Wyeth-Ayerst, had paid all the expenses of writing "Feminine Forever" and that in 1963 they financed his Wilson Research Foundation to the tune of $1.3 million! By 1975, it had become the fifth leading prescription drug in the US.
Barbara: When did the dangers of this drug first become known?
Merri Lu: In 1975, two studies in the New England Journal of Medicine reported that synthetic estrogen increased the risk of uterine cancer and probably breast cancer. Other serious side effects included higher blood pressure, depression and retinal thrombosis, which is a blood clot in the eye vessels. But since doctors were falsely told it decreased the risk of heart disease and osteoporosis, it was promoted because those conditions affect many post-menopausal women. Soon, drug companies began combining the estrogen with synthetic progesterone, such as Provera, which was said to counteract Premarin's dangers. Only women who had had a hysterectomy could take estrogen alone. Women who had a uterus should take the hormone combination. Women were told the problems were solved, and the drugs continued their skyrocketing sales until recently.
Barbara: If we have known since 1975 that artificial estrogen increases the risk of cancer, why do you feel that Premarin has become the number 1 selling prescription drug in America?
Merri Lu: First I'd like to clarify that the "source" of the estrogen in Premarin is pregnant horses' urine! Doctors are busy and often rely on pharmaceutical advertising as an educational source. They may not realize that they are also the targets of these ads, which convince them to prescribe what the industry sells. Drug representatives who visit their offices may tell them the positive effects of a medication, while failing to mention dangerous side effects. I believe this was a classic case of a product in search of a market! It is extremely important to recognize that ERT/HRT are the products of a multibillion-dollar, multinational pharmaceutical industry: they make 80% profits from Premarin!
Barbara: How dangerous are the HRT drugs?
Merri Lu: I am so convinced of their danger that I spent five years researching my book and have presented seminars and lectures on radio, TV and at women's wellness events in two countries for the last decade. In addition to the dangers of estrogen (Premarin), serious side effects of Provera include liver toxicity, appearing as jaundice; thrombophlebitis (a blood clot in the leg); pulmonary emobolism (a blood clot in the lung); and stroke! There are many other side effects, including anxiety, water retention, resumption of periods, depression, PMS-like feelings, headaches and dizziness.
Barbara: What natural remedies can women use?
Merri Lu: I discuss many alternatives in my book, including 85 herbs. Here are a few important ones.
Merri Lu: Yes, soy is amazingly helpful. There are various flavored soy milks, soy cheese, tofu, tempeh, soy flour, texturized soy protein granules and delicious fresh soybeans.
Barbara: What should women who are taking HRT do?
Merri Lu: I have known only a few women who were not able to find safe, effective replacements to ERT/HRT when they decided to wean themselves off these drugs. Each woman must decide for herself. First, read my book so you have accurate information concerning all of your options. Knowledge dispels fear! I truly believe HRT should remain a very last consideration. Many women live half their lives beyond menopause. We must become more courageous and outspoken and take an active part in all medical decision-making processes, because they affect our lives and bodies, sometimes forever.
=============================================================
Merri Lu Park is a nurse, writer, midwife and psychic who has lectured on health-related topics and alternative approaches to healing for over 25 years. She is a frequent speaker at health expos, hospitals, fitness clubs and women's wellness events throughout North America. She also schedules individual counseling sessions with women regarding their menopausal concerns.
Her book is carried by health food stores, and can be ordered through Borders and other bookstores, or by calling her at 965-8836. Check out her web site at www.menopausetime.com.
For Women and the Men Who Love Them: An Interview With Merri Lu Park, Author of MENOPAUSE: Time For a Change
Ever since 1966, doctors have told midlife women that taking drugs called hormone replacement therapy (HRT) would help them avoid heart disease, strokes, blood clots and breast cancer and keep them feeling and looking young. But in July 2002, a huge study called the Women's Health Initiative was stopped early because it proved that HRT increases women's chances of getting the very diseases they had been told these drugs would prevent. It left many women confused and frightened. Women and doctors suddenly feared the medicine that they had been relying on for relief of the unpleasant aspects of menopause.
I wanted to talk story with an expert to clear up misinformation: Merri Lu Park is a nurse, kama`aina and author of the book MENOPAUSE: Time For a Change. We talked about the history and uses of HRT drugs and natural remedies like herbs that many women find helpful.
Barbara: Aloha, Merri Lu, and thanks for joining us. What exactly is HRT?
Merri Lu: The prescription drug Premarin is artificial estrogen and Provera is synthetic progesterone. When women approach menopause, their ovaries produce less of these two hormones. Premarin alone is called ERT and the combination is called HRT.
Barbara: How and when did people start believing that women should replace these hormones?
Merri Lu: In 1966 Dr. Robert Wilson wrote a best-selling book, "Feminine Forever." He wrote that estrogen could keep women young, healthy and attractive. Dr. Wilson enthusiastically preached that estrogen could "save" these women. "Breasts and genital organs will not shrivel," he said. "Such women will be much more pleasant to live with and will not become dull and unattractive." He said that all women should take artificial estrogen years before menopause and stay on it for the rest of their lives. He never mentioned that the manufacturer of Premarin, Wyeth-Ayerst, had paid all the expenses of writing "Feminine Forever" and that in 1963 they financed his Wilson Research Foundation to the tune of $1.3 million! By 1975, it had become the fifth leading prescription drug in the US.
Barbara: When did the dangers of this drug first become known?
Merri Lu: In 1975, two studies in the New England Journal of Medicine reported that synthetic estrogen increased the risk of uterine cancer and probably breast cancer. Other serious side effects included higher blood pressure, depression and retinal thrombosis, which is a blood clot in the eye vessels. But since doctors were falsely told it decreased the risk of heart disease and osteoporosis, it was promoted because those conditions affect many post-menopausal women. Soon, drug companies began combining the estrogen with synthetic progesterone, such as Provera, which was said to counteract Premarin's dangers. Only women who had had a hysterectomy could take estrogen alone. Women who had a uterus should take the hormone combination. Women were told the problems were solved, and the drugs continued their skyrocketing sales until recently.
Barbara: If we have known since 1975 that artificial estrogen increases the risk of cancer, why do you feel that Premarin has become the number 1 selling prescription drug in America?
Merri Lu: First I'd like to clarify that the "source" of the estrogen in Premarin is pregnant horses' urine! Doctors are busy and often rely on pharmaceutical advertising as an educational source. They may not realize that they are also the targets of these ads, which convince them to prescribe what the industry sells. Drug representatives who visit their offices may tell them the positive effects of a medication, while failing to mention dangerous side effects. I believe this was a classic case of a product in search of a market! It is extremely important to recognize that ERT/HRT are the products of a multibillion-dollar, multinational pharmaceutical industry: they make 80% profits from Premarin!
Barbara: How dangerous are the HRT drugs?
Merri Lu: I am so convinced of their danger that I spent five years researching my book and have presented seminars and lectures on radio, TV and at women's wellness events in two countries for the last decade. In addition to the dangers of estrogen (Premarin), serious side effects of Provera include liver toxicity, appearing as jaundice; thrombophlebitis (a blood clot in the leg); pulmonary emobolism (a blood clot in the lung); and stroke! There are many other side effects, including anxiety, water retention, resumption of periods, depression, PMS-like feelings, headaches and dizziness.
Barbara: What natural remedies can women use?
Merri Lu: I discuss many alternatives in my book, including 85 herbs. Here are a few important ones.
- Black Cohosh is helpful because it contains both estrogen and progesterone hormonal precursors. It lowers blood pressure, thins the blood, reduces cholesterol levels and improves circulation. It can be brewed as a tea and is available in tincture form, called Remifemin.
- Motherwort is effective for relieving hot flashes, calming the nerves and encouraging sleep. It is also effective for heart palpitations and shortness of breath, and helps lower blood pressure. It is available in tea form and as a tincture.
- Vitex helps promote progesterone production, decreases hot flashes and night sweats and relieves vaginal dryness. It helps decrease depression, irritability, anger, anxiety and headaches. It also improves memory.
- Wild Yam Root is calming; it regulates periods and reduces cramping. It is an anti-inflammatory and helps relieve joint pain associated with menopause. ProGest cream is made from wild yam and helps to reduce hot flashes.
- Natural vitamin E (d-alpha tocopherol) reduces hot flashes, nervousness, fatigue, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness and insomnia. It also stimulates the immune system against cancer. Synthetic vitamin E (dl-alpha tocopherol) is not nearly as effective and does not stay in the body as long.
Merri Lu: Yes, soy is amazingly helpful. There are various flavored soy milks, soy cheese, tofu, tempeh, soy flour, texturized soy protein granules and delicious fresh soybeans.
Barbara: What should women who are taking HRT do?
Merri Lu: I have known only a few women who were not able to find safe, effective replacements to ERT/HRT when they decided to wean themselves off these drugs. Each woman must decide for herself. First, read my book so you have accurate information concerning all of your options. Knowledge dispels fear! I truly believe HRT should remain a very last consideration. Many women live half their lives beyond menopause. We must become more courageous and outspoken and take an active part in all medical decision-making processes, because they affect our lives and bodies, sometimes forever.
=============================================================
Merri Lu Park is a nurse, writer, midwife and psychic who has lectured on health-related topics and alternative approaches to healing for over 25 years. She is a frequent speaker at health expos, hospitals, fitness clubs and women's wellness events throughout North America. She also schedules individual counseling sessions with women regarding their menopausal concerns.
Her book is carried by health food stores, and can be ordered through Borders and other bookstores, or by calling her at 965-8836. Check out her web site at www.menopausetime.com.
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