Postmenopausal Hormones: Helpful Or Harmful?

Women experiencing menopause are not destined to suffer from hot flashes, impaired mood, muscle loss, poor sleep, memory difficulties, and sexual problems. Menopausal symptoms are signs of imbalances in your sex hormones; they are not the result of mutant genes that destroy our vitality as we age. Instead, they are treatable symptoms of underlying imbalance in one of the core systems in your body. While conventional medicine commonly jumps to prescribe hormone replacement, Functional Medicine seeks to figure out the “why” - what is causing the symptoms and how can you treat the underlying problem. While sometimes this does include hormone replacement,, the important thing is to find the way to replace them that most aligns with your body.⁣
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In this mini-episode, Dr. Hyman is joined by Dr. Elizabeth Boham to discuss the Functional Medicine approach to treating symptoms of menopause. They also discuss how they evaluate when to prescribe postmenopausal hormones and share patient case studies. ⁣
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Elizabeth Boham is a physician and nutritionist who practices functional medicine at The UltraWellness Center in Lenox, MA. Through her practice and lecturing she has helped thousands of people achieve their goals of optimum health and wellness. She witnesses the power of nutrition every day in her practice and is committed to training other physicians to utilize nutrition in healing. Dr. Boham has contributed to many articles and wrote the latest chapter on Obesity for the Rankel Textbook of Family Medicine. She is part of the faculty of the Institute for Functional Medicine and has been featured on the Dr. Oz show and in a variety of publications and media including Huffington Post, The Chalkboard Magazine, and Experience Life. Her DVD Breast Wellness: Tools to Prevent and Heal from Breast Cancer explores the functional medicine approach to keeping your breasts and whole body well. ⁣
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This episode is sponsored by AquaTru. We need clean water not only to live but to create vibrant health and protect ourselves and loved ones from toxin exposure and disease. Learn more about the AquaTru water filter at a special price at www.drhyman.com/filter⁣

[@dlsd7]

If I didn't know better, I'd think this podcast is from 1990. Women need to know about BHRT (bioidentical hormone replacement therapy). instead of discussing Premarin and Provera -- that my mother/grandmother used. Bioidentical estrogen balanced with micronized progesterone reduces cancer risk. If "avoiding alcohol and eating right" helped menopause symptoms as much as they seem to believe, there wouldn't be so many HEALTHY women suffering.

[@annterrywilliams2304]

Thank you! I am also sick of the medical mindset that thinks exercise will cure everything!

[@idragonfly]

Totally agree. You can't just 'manage' hormones that you no longer have.

[@fernandavasconcelos2910]

So true! I love the way you put it.

[@victoriaboster1177]

We’ll keep in mind the guy’s a grifter and it’s much easier to come up with his next book this way instead of telling the boring truth.

[@kermitthefrog3632]

Did you not listen to the podcast? Or do you have comprehension issues?

[@donnaallgaier-lamberti3933]

I had a total hysterectomy at age 36. Obviously, I went into "shock menopause." Then a couple of decades later I was diagnosed with osteoporosis in my hips, neck and back. At age 65 I went onto bio-identical hormones t(Bio-TE) o protect and restructure my bones. My husband had cognitive decline, my adreanls have improved, and I take care of him. I am an active woman, I walk, bike, exercise, walk our dog, working in our yard etc. IF I was to fall and break a bone (or worse, my hip) our life would change overnight. My husband no longer drives and I drive us everywhere. There is NO ONE to take care of me, or him, should this happen. So not only do these bio-identical hormones help to regrow my bones, they have served to improve my sleep, balance my thyroid issues. They have also helped my sex drive and our sexual life. Bio-identical hormones have been the best thing I have ever done for myself.

[@PIA-tj5hc]

The best thing!!!!

[@MS-sr1fe]

May i know what exactly you take dear?

[@roneen1000]

Heart disease, Alzheimers and osteoporosis are all dependent on estrogen levels. The incidence of these diseases skyrockets when estrogen levels drop. Women should be told this and they aren't. "The lowest amount for the least amount of time" doesn't address the rise of these three diseases during menopause, and herbs will not change that fact either.

[@crh251]

Exactly. I wish they had mentioned that it’s okay to be on hormones for life. I know women who have stopped taking hormones, and they went downhill. Their health worsened. They’ll have to pry my BHRT out of my hands when they put me in a casket!!! 😂

[@kermitthefrog3632]

My mother was on hormones and is now suffering prematurely from heart disease, dementia and had E+ breast cancer last year. Stop with your generalizing nonsense.

[@kermitthefrog3632]

My mother was on hormones and is now suffering prematurely from heart disease, dementia and had E+ breast cancer last year. Stop with your generalizing nonsense.

[@glenicejohnson5057]

I guess Dr. Hyman is his own guest. Parts of the podcast, he controlled the whole conversation. We know you're a great doctor and all, but let the lady speak!

[@victoriaboster1177]

Is he though? He completely misstated key points of important studies, uses the term hormone balance as if it has a medical definition and consistently misstates both science and modern medical practices.

[@CM7777...]

He's a showman and a salesman first

[@kermitthefrog3632]

It’s called a conversation.

[@sueselmic997]

That study was flawed as these women where average 63 they had been way to long with out hormones to start so late it caused bad issues, some of the women in the research where smokers obese etc.There is a estrogen window of time to start. I read studies and books about HRT . When your deficient of any hormones they are replaced no question why should this be any different for Estrogen. Sadly we suffer out of fear and not learning about how our bodies function. There are risk to benefits in anything we put in our bodies . I find the benefit of taking hormones out way the risk for me.😊

[@kermitthefrog3632]

Good luck with that.

[@claudiawilkinson8769]

According to Dr Dale Bredesen (who has reversed dementia), bioidentical HRT is very important for dementia prevention. Also Dr Ann Hathaway agrees. There is also an excellent podcast with Peter Attia’s The Drive where he interviews the authors of Estrogen Matters , Carol Tavris and Avrum Bluming , and dispels a lot of the worries around HRT studies.

[@MazalKriefBenamor]

I use pallets for 2 years. I am 62 years old. I started taking it after menopause. I feel good sleep good and bone density test was good

[@heidis.t.8769]

This is soo important. Mom had stopped taking hormones and dementia began. Blood clots mini stroke ended her stay on life- it could have been better for her. Thank you...most women avoid this discussion- this is a must vid

[@t.t.8878]

I'm in my late 70's. Recently I read a new book,"Breaking the Age Code" by Becca Levy, PhD It's the first time I heard the word "Ageism" Now that I'm aware of it I see it everywhere! Barely anyone talks about older (70's & beyond) women using Hormones. It's as if we are not as worthwell & disregarded. I'm healthy & do not use any Pharmaceuticals, except for Plant based Estrogen & Progesterone (non prescription) Several woman I know have broken their bones falling, I have not. Fell off a 10 foot later & nothing broke. I contribute it to the Hormones & being very active. I wish everyone would read the book about Ageism, especially DOCTORS! Everyone will grow older , if they're lucky!

[@rheannak3934]

Thank you for the book suggesting. And you are right about the older you are the less people care. It’s sad. Can you please advise the name of the no rx bio items that you use.

[@glowood415]

What about the benefits of estrogen for the heart, bones and brain?

[@jimrooney8131]

I was hoping that DHEA would be mentioned more. It's an extremely effective antiaging hormone and can help with women's issues. It is made by the adrenal glands and noses dives after 40. There are over 7500 studies on DHEA. It is not a drug and cost less than 15 cents per dose. Other nutrients are useful with it (DIM). I am 72 my wife is 70 we've been on DHEA and in the optimal zone as per blood tests for 16 years. We've aged very well. We also do most of what the Dr's recommended. My goal is to live well until I die, so fa so good!

[@Zoe.TheBody360]

But DHEA is a precursor hormone and you don't know how it will be transcribed, and if it is oestrogen you don't want it going to Estrone, or down the metabolite OH4 pathway. If ANY hormone is given then oestrogen metabolism is essential period. If you are detoxifying both oestrogen and progesterone effectively, then I see much less danger from supplemental hormone.

[@camellia8625]

Thanks for mentioning it. Will have to read up on it.

[@Emmy-J]

I had stage 1 postmenopausal breast cancer and was taking DHEA for years. I am no longer suppose to take it because my tumor was estrogen dominant so you have to be very careful when taking supplements.

[@health9818]

I tried taking it for a few weeks and it made me so tired that I was unable to do my full workouts so I stopped taking it and after a few days my energy came back so I won't touch the stuff anymore.

[@sophie4636]

It's a conversation folks! Dr Mark is the star as much as the guest 💛

[@DW...]

Don't understand why you said - you wouldn't keep women on hrt long when every cell in the body needs estrogen & postmenopause it's zero😳 BHRT helps with dementia, bone density, heart attack, depression ETC ... YOU need to watch menopause Taylor‼️‼️

[@ThuLe-eh1xe]

I had total hysterectomy when i was 39. I took provera and premarin for a month. I felt weird and irritable. Dr changed to new p rescription, i felt worse. I stopped taking hormones. I took herbs, lingans from flaxeeds, BREVAIL and had no hot flash at all, felt happy. I also had bio identical hormones for 10 years. Felt nothing good or bad. Then i stopped everything because i have no symptoms, except insomnia which i have all my life. Now i am 68. I try to take natural progesterone from compounded pharmacy, i felt weird and disoriented. I stopped and i take herbs if i cannot sleep. I love herbs like passion flower, skullcap etc...and i try to exercise and eat healthy and obey God, love your neighbor as thyself.

[@dinadent5435]

She's a wonderful doctor, smart, humble and well spoken.

[@Brooklynlife1000]

Lol!

[@victoriaboster1177]

Seriously?! She, like most functional meds, is stuck about a decade back. For example, she named about a half dozen menopause symptoms when now the research has shown that due to the prevalence of estrogen receptors throughout the female body, there are literally tens of dozens of menopause symptoms. And that’s not even touch on prevention.

[@tiffhamill567]

I’m a massage therapist, skin care provider and nutrition maniac…It works! 😃

[@verrasimonsimon7876]

I could only imagine how much it is to see them. I saw on in NY, it was $850.00 for one visit and a bunch of expensive supplements, and still have most of the same problems.

[@victoriaboster1177]

What a scam! All to be thrown back into the medical and scientific world of the 1970’s. God help the women who put their faith snd paychecks in this guy’s hands.

[@glowood415]

What about the estrogen benefits on the heart, bones and brain.

[@lindalu8565]

Well I wish I knew this before going through peri/menopause. Had a feeling but didn't have health insurance until after the fact so I went it alone. It was a trip. No sleep was the biggest issue plus, thyroid issues and weight gain. I really had to focus on feeling the changes in my body , my moods and mental health. Really dial it in as to not to go crazy. I often asked myself is this really me or is this a hormonal thing? Really need to know yourself to get through this.

[@alisonbailey7518]

I’m pretty sure my peri started at 42 and ran through till my late 50’s when menopause appeared and then Ovarian C, it’s so sad the libido goes out the window, no control over this, as I can see 😬

[@andreaphelps3797]

What did I learn from this? That the medical establushment isnt very good at knowing if hrt is good or bad and who does need it and who doesnt

[@vg-tb3us]

Great information to confirm I won't even try hormonal therapy,thank you Dr Hyman!

[@fitwithfallontv]

I love when you have Liz on!!!!! Both of you are amazing at dishing out such great medical information.

[@victoriaboster1177]

Are you completely serious??? They are both full of medical misinformation and misstated scientific evidence

[@alisonbailey7518]

How can functional medicine be so disrespected, it’s so respectful to humans and searching and caring, I love you guys I would love you guys to run your expertise past me 🤩🌷🙏🏽

[@victoriaboster1177]

Because it’s often not science or evidence based, as is born out by this conversation.

[@lynnogryzlo764]

What about other negative symptoms of post-menopause, like thinning hair, memory issues (lose your train of thought mid-sentence), brittle nails, high cholesterol - how are these affected by hormones and what are some natural solutions?

[@MsAngel737]

Absolutely, God help us with all of the darn post menopausal symptoms 😵‍💫

[@zamev]

Follow Dr Taylor, menopause taylor on youtube. She is an expert in menopause and has tons of videos that will educate you in menopause.

[@maryannepereira6549]

Since I have been taking the collagen supplement and the hormonal imbalance supplement by dr. Axe it really does work I added those and I take those along with my vitamins and it helps a whole lot along with diet

[@ruchitalertnamvongwan9482]

Thank you for your guidance. How can I get in touch with u

[@northerngirl2624]

Dr Hyman, let your guests talk. Otherwise, dont invite them.

[@biancas2639]

I went into menopause at 44 eventhough my mom was 51. I lot of all these tests are unaffordable to me though. I like the sound of those drops in combination, havn´t heard about that before. Live in Denmark.

[@adelealinemomdjian-iradian7087]

Thanks very informative 🌹

[@patriciapyper4617]

On evorel contl patches couple of months sore joints dizziness blood pressure up and down

[@gemamayo-prada544]

should we take vitamins with iron during the perimenopause? Thank you!

[@teresalramos3338]

Must ask your doctor because its based on your lab results, after testing for Iron deficiency

[@beachbreath2504]

My 70 year old sister has used vaginal estrogen for 15 years (to keep their sex life in tact) she was diagnosed after 15 years with cervical cancer. Her Dr. Said it was most likely from the estrogen. She had the surgery to remove the cancer and then decided to keep using the estrogen.

[@Anna-jt3xu]

Is she ok now and what dose of estrogen is she on

[@rrlafleur1549]

Thank very much for sharing this interesting interview 👍. Just a question, I wish, I could get it answered. To my knowledge body-identical progesterone it is not absorbed transdermally. That is why patches can only contain progestins and body identical progesterone is only possible orally or vaginally in soft capsules. Am I right or do you know any other way/ commercial preparation to get it transdermally? Once again thank you and take care 🙂

[@annterrywilliams2304]

Talk with your gynecologist. I am using progesterone in cream form and it has helped decrease my prolonged bleeding episodes during perimenopause.

[@rrlafleur1549]

@@annterrywilliams2304 thank you very much for your Answer 😊

[@victoriaboster1177]

“Bio identical” and “body identical “ are marketing terms invented by the wellness and functional medicine communities. They are not medical or scientific terms. You can definitely receive an rx for progesterone that is identical to the one your body biochemically makes from your md and fill it at any regular pharmacy.

[@lindajones4849]

Hi all , at one point I took transdermal progesterone and I had therapeutic blood levels . So I'm surprised that it supposedly isn't absorbed through the skin.

[@lindajones4849]

What they don't admit is that no amount of lifestyle changes are going to make your hormones come back when you are post menopausal. Best wishes to everyone . ( Not to say that lifestyle changes aren't important but they can't fix everything)

[@victoriaboster1177]

Um, these two graduates of medical schools (even the one that had cancer) realize “breast cancer” isn’t one cancer right?!

[@MazalKriefBenamor]

You did not talk about bio identical pallets

[@alisonbailey7518]

Shared widely

[@victoriaboster1177]

Why

[@alisonbailey7518]

@@victoriaboster1177 why not

[@victoriaboster1177]

@@alisonbailey7518 Well just fir starters, you’d be disseminating utterly false medical information and date that is extrapolated piecemeal from scientific studies to fit into a narrative instead of presented as a whole as evidence followed by an unbiased conclusion.

[@alisonbailey7518]

Oh lord 🥴

[@aynisulpayki]

I wonder why every one on social media talk about menopause peri menopause and so little or none about postmenopausal women... is it because menopause and post menopause are the same? There are many of us that went into menopause way before due to endo, ovarian cyst etc....🤷😔

[@annierichards7367]

Yes you said Menapause is 1-1 & 1/2 years. I read all women are in biological menopause for 12 months, no period, then post menopause? My Doctors don't know, which is ok.

[@juriagouws7480]

My doctor told me that I have to use HRT to prevent osteoporosis. I insisted on bio-identical hormones, but 2 years down the line, my weight is out of control. How do I let go of the HRT and prevent osteoporosis?

[@victoriaboster1177]

There is zero science evidence that a combination Or estrogen alone causes weight gain or visceral fat. If for some reason you have opted for progesterone only, add estrogen. And use a standard fda approved rx, not a compounding pharmacy. That should address any pharmacies issues. Beyond that the weight gain is outside of exogenous hormones

[@secondskinfillers8709]

I was on bio indentical hormones for 17 yrs had to come off as I was constapated constantly. Came off stomach was so much better. But hot flashes sleep & joint pain is so bad now only off 3 months I went back on low dose bihr and same thing started happening. My diet is so beyond clean & do not drink at all , I need help

[@teresalramos3338]

Try Magnesium!

[@capellihairextsny]

@@teresalramos3338 oh I have them all. Still doesn’t help

[@victoriaboster1177]

@@capellihairextsnysee a g i doc Stay on hrt. It’s not causing your issues

[@charlenechen8714]

She’s great!

[@victoriaboster1177]

Try to educate yourself and you may have a different opinion of his guest

[@margaritabogodist8018]

How to get home testing?

[@teresalramos3338]

You can request a kit to any of the compound pharmacies, but I think you have to return it saliva and they'll send the results to your doctor, or your doctor can order blood work.

[@PIA-tj5hc]

If they work for U they’re helpful!!!!

[@denisefuentes7905]

The highest amount of estrogen for the longest amount of time. Duh!!! I’ve been on a hormone cocktail for 25 years. Excellent choice.

[@theresageiger584]

What about the liver

[@teresalramos3338]

My liver is fine after using the bio-identical est/prog/test since 2005!

[@charlitaylor9850]

I'm only 3.36 in and I already feel mansplained about my body.

[@ms.t8313]

They both need to listen to Menopause Barbie and take some notes on Peri Menopause, Menopause & Post Menopause and the safe solutions that are offered to women these days….

[@proudchristian77]

Wow , I was lucky, I didn't notice a change, but I had drama at home & it kept me emotionally busy , I took a lot of long bike rides, I think it might be all done for me by now , ? 47 @ hysterectomy & 57 now !, life long poor diet , my goal is to not get to heavy .🚲

[@victoriaboster1177]

Your bones, heart disease and dementia are silent so don’t really know why you’re so care free sweetie

[@kangarookite]

I like a lot of what Dr Berg says but this one was annoying. The way he kept praising testosterone and dismissing estrogen felt very out of touch and androcentric.

[@verrasimonsimon7876]

Flaxseeds make my symptoms worse

[@theresageiger584]

Read Dr's help

[@lislcroft]

Only got 20 mins into this and SO disappointed this info is so very backwards and outdated and lacking current research. I truly hope you all find Dr. Susan Hardwick-Smith who is truly well versed. He cuts off this lady every single sentence she says it’s unbelievably rude to listen to.

[@heidis.t.8769]

Yes-natural progestr...not that other s###

[@tiffhamill567]

Premareurine… 😂

[@theresageiger584]

Don't listen to this

[@victoriaboster1177]

Well said !