I’m not sure where to begin or what to say except that I know exactly why women are confused about menopause and what to do about it.
I did a book review for Staness Jonekos here on her book The Menopause Makeover. Though I did not read Staness’s book cover to cover, word for word (I rarely do when I do book reviews) I read enough to catch the high points of the book and the message she was conveying.
In my book review I backed Staness up on something she said regarding bio-identical hormones. She said that bio-identical hormones are synthesized in a lab just as synthetic hormones are. True statement.
Where many physicians disagree (and where Staness disagrees) is whether bio-identical hormones are safer and more effective than synthetic hormones. That’s really it in a nutshell.
Staness Jonekos is of the opinion that traditional HRT is as safe and effective as bio-identical hormones. Here’s where it gets sticky. A reader of my blog left a comment which I’ve held in moderation for weeks now because I haven’t known what to say or how to approach it, linking to this website.
It is a blog post done by Dr. Jeffrey Dach disputing much of what Staness has said in her book about bio-identical hormones verses traditional hormone replacement therapy.
I don’t know about you, but my freakin’ head starts spinning. I have tried to be as diplomatic as I can at this blog regarding bio-identical hormones or traditional hormone replacement therapy.
That is because I do not nor have I have ever believed one size fits all. (Ironically, that is the basic premise of bio-identical hormone therapy.)
I think the bigger problem I have though, is that Dr. Dach makes a specific point to say that since Staness Jonekos is not a physician, she really doesn’t have any credibility or right to have an opinion. With that attitude I take huge issue.
I am not a physician either. That does not make me or anyone who happens to hold a specific position any less credible in their experience and what they have learned.
While I personally feel bio-identical hormones are a better choice when seeking hormone replacement therapy, I do so with a bit of trepidation. Because frankly, medical research swings from one extreme to the other about every 10 years on something.
Don’t believe me? Try figuring out if coffee is good for you or bad for you. “Credible” medical “experts” have been fighting over it for YEARS.
So, as far as I can tell, I think we all need to find what we are comfortable with and go with it. While I do not feel comfortable taking synthetic hormones or traditional HRT, I will not bash anyone who takes them.
I realize that is not a popular opinion among my bio-identical hormones friends, but that is who you are dealing with when you come to this blog.
I gave Staness a fair shake when I reviewed her book and presented the information as honestly and straight forward as I could. I realize that many of you will disagree and that is your prerogative.
I have no desire to argue or defend my position to anyone, however. I will put the information out there to the best of my ability and let you decide for yourself what you want to do with your body and your health.
I will do the same.
