WOMENS-HEALTH Messages for December, 1997: Re: HRT starting at 80

Re: HRT starting at 80

From: Kelly (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Tue, 30 Dec 1997 23:27:46 -0600 (CST)

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At Tue, 30 Dec 1997, Kathleen wrote: >

>At the risk of offending Barbara Nesbitt ("we love our doctors..." as well as
>Dr. Marchbein, I must say that I don't know why Dr. Marchbein "takes issue with" my earlier
>statement that this forum (particularly Dr. Marchbein) is pro HRT/ERT for all women, at any age.

Kathleen,

As a frequent (although not recently what with moving the week before Christmas, trying to get pregnant and housebreaking a new puppy, all ath the same time) contributor to this forum I must take exception to your stetement that the forum is "pro-HRT". I know I for one usually mention diet, exercise and herbs when ther is a question about how to deal wiht menopause and most of the other doctors, Dr Marchbein included, state that is up to the individual woman to decide what is best for her.

>There are *other* things women can do for their health--both to preserve it and enhance it--at
>*any* age.

Absolutely -- starting these things -- exercise, a healthy predominately vegetarian diet, emotional and spiritual balance -- early in life is the best thing any of us can do to enhace "health" (which, BTW, is a heck of a lot more than the absence of disease.

Why is HRT always touted as the magic bullet? Tell me, Dr. Marchbein, if *men* were told that, >beginning at age 51, all of them should now take a drug for life, would there be compliance en masse? Why
>are women constantly chastized for not taking HRT by the medical community?

Do men every comply with anything?? Seriously, if there were something my husband could take that was proven to decrease the risk of Alzheimer's, he'd take it in a heartbeat (and yes, he already takes ginko). Where is your medical community -- I know in mine, and on this forum, women are not chastized for their decisions regarding HRT -- why should we get in an uproar about something that affects that individual alone? Now, not getting prenatal care, that's another story.

Please--while telling posters about >all the *great* aspects of HRT--please include the contraindications as well as the
>side effects that have been reported by the patients.

I think we have -- things like brest tenderness and bloating and moodiness from the progestin and maybe an increase in breast cancer, and a definte increase in uterine cancer if estrogen is taken by itself in a woman with a uterus.

There are *many* *studies* out there--if you are going to reference "studies" please >point us to the journal, the name of the study, the drug company, anything--so we can look it up for ourselves. After all, "opinions expressed are for "educational" purposes, as you say. Give us the
>opportunity to truly educate ourselves by letting *us* go directly to these *many recent studies*.

Check Medline. I for one read a lot of articles and reports of studies that I file away in my brain -- I don't have a library at my fingertips and I certainly don't have the time to search thru my stack of journals to get the exact referecen every time I answer a question. We are not retired old geezers who don't have anything else to do -- we have full time busy practices and families, and we do the best we can here.

>(With apologies to Barbara, who will probably see this as
>flaming--even though I am just expressing an idea that a *balanced* point of
>view would be nice on the topic of HRT.

I think you have.

I also think it would be >a good idea if the Drs. who participate in this forum would list their affiliation with any drug
>companies (again, sorry for the non-P.C. comment, Barbara, but
>it just seems fair to ask for this information.

Gosh, I bet most of us wish we did have a drug company affiliation. A litttle extra money would go a long way. >

-- Kelly Shanahan, MD, FACOG S. Lake Tahoe, CA

note: Opinions here are for educational purposes only. This information is not intended to supplant the need for you to consult with your own physician. It cannot take the place of a face to face consultation and examination.

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