Menopause Hormone Replacement

Menopause hormone replacement therapy wasclamor for ever increasing profits by shareholders of
introduced in America in the mid-60s. Originally,the large corporations that own the hospitals and
impregnated equine urine was used as the basis forclinics. As a result, much of the doctor's and practicing
the drugs used to combat common symptomsnurse's actual time spent each day is taken up by filling
associated with menopause, including hot flashes andout forms necessary for billing purposes.
night sweats. These drugs were an over-nightThis does not mean that individual doctors and nurses
sensation as they effectively reduced menopauseare unsympathetic or uncaring or less desirous to
symptoms by as much as 70%. These initial resultsuphold the tenants of the Hippocratic Oath than their
were far more promising than previous efforts tocounterparts a century ago. Unfortunately, the system
chemically reduce symptoms associated withof medicine has siphoned away time from the doctor
menopause.patient in an effort to cut costs and to make the
Other drugs were soon synthesized following the initialprocess more profitable.
introductions. Some of these chemically reproducedThis is the reason that medical specialists are so in
drugs were bio-identicals of the first menopausedemand, along with the services that they provide. The
hormone replacement therapy treatments and offeredprocedures that medical specialists perform are billed
additional means (other than injection or ingestion) toat the highest rate, especially when compared to a
convey the drug to the bloodstream including, patches,simple office visit which provides nearly no value to the
suppositories, creams and lotions.hospital or clinic. Only when other procedures result the
This meant that a woman could now simply have aoffice visit does the actual office visit become
prescription filled and apply the prescribed dose in theprofitable.
convenience and privacy of her own home.Depending on the individual's medical insurance
It must be remembered that Americans were farcoverage, the average office visit starts at $100 and
more trusting of institutions (then) than they are now,up. Individuals without medical coverage and who can
and this was especially so of government and medicalpay at the time of the appointment might receive a
institutions. All of that was about to change.discount for as much as 40%.
Not too many years following the introduction ofAdditional procedures suggested by the physician can
menopause hormone replacement drugs, researchersquickly ratchet up the costs. These may include blood
noted alarming increases in the number of olderwork, urine analysis, CAT Scans, MRIs, etc. Suddenly,
women experiencing heart disease and various typesan office visit that started at $100 has now ballooned
of cancer, including breast cancer and ovarian cancer.to $1000 or more.
On average, American women enter menopause atResearch is confirming that many of these procedures
about age 51. By the mid-70s, unquestionable evidenceare wasteful, redundant, inappropriate in view of the
existed that suggested a direct link betweensymptoms presented, or can be spaced out over
menopause hormone replacement therapy (HRT) andlonger intervals.
the increased risk of heart disease and cancer.Generally, physicians do not discuss ways in which to
Unfortunately, even women who only presentedstay healthy, preventative measures, or natural
relatively mild menopause symptoms were put onsources for healthy life styles.
HRT. Most menopausal women experience someUnfortunately, new generations are expected to live
form of discomfort during menopause but only aboutless long than those living now. Clearly, the rising costs
15% have symptoms that could be characterized asof medical care, coupled with the increasing number of
severe or life-altering. Unfortunately, women who onlyhospitals and clinics in not making us healthier or
presenting mild symptoms were put at equal risk aspromoting longevity.
those with more severe symptoms.Menopause hormone replacement therapy is just one
Mild to medium menopause symptoms can beof many medical treatment plans developed with the
controlled by means other than HRT.net result of providing a false sense of hope and
These common sense approaches include knowingsecurity. Not only is menopause replacement hormone
the triggers that can set off menopause symptoms,therapy risky with elevated occurrences of heart
changes to diet and exercise, alterations to clothingdisease and cancer, it also attacks the very heart of
and bedding, a better awareness of one's ownwhat makes a woman feminine, the endocrine
surroundings, coupled with appropriate vitamins and(reproductive) system.
minerals, as well as select all natural plant foodMedical science has continued to promote menopause
supplements known to ameliorate hot flashes and/orhormone replacement therapy for the past half
night sweats.century, in spite of the associative risks. Savvy women
100 years ago, health care professionals had little moreare beginning to wake up to this fact.
to offer to patients than a caring bed-side manner.Many women have begun to search in earnest for
Today, caring has been replaced by technology.alternative treatments to menopause hormone
Today's doctor customarily spends less than 15replacement therapy.
minutes per office visit with individual patients,To this point, the search for a safe and effective
regardless of the severity of their condition or numberalternative to menopause hormone replacement
of questions they may have.therapy does not need to be a daunting one.
This type of health care has devolved by virtue of the