1. Do I Need Hormones? Dr Johnnie Ham, MD
Coastal Prestige Medical Services and Clinic
Pismo Beach, California

2. What are Hormones? Hormones are BioChemical Messengers
Hormones control numerous functions in the body
One of the Two Major Controllers in your body

4. Unique Targets

5. Where do they come from?

6. Focus on the Major Sex Hormones
Progesterone
“pro” “gestational”
Testosterone
Estrogen
Estradiol – the major player
Estrone – less active, post-menopausal
Estriol – the pregnancy estrogen

7. Estradiol Performs over 240 functions in the body
In contrast, Testosterone performs about 110; Thyroid Hormone performs about 15
Produced by the month’s stimulated follicles in the ovary
So, no stimulated follicles, no estradiol

8. Some Functions of Estradiol
promote formation of female secondary sex characteristics
accelerate metabolism (burn fat)
increase vaginal lubrication
thicken the vaginal wall
maintenance of vessel and skin
reduce bone resorption, increase bone formation

9. protein synthesis Lipid
increase hepatic production of binding proteins
increase circulating level of factors 2, 7, 9, 10, plasminogen
increase platelet adhesiveness
Lipid
increase HDL, triglyceride
decrease LDL, fat deposition

10. Gastrointestinal tract
Fluid balance
salt (sodium) and water retention
Hormones
increase cortisol, SHBG
Gastrointestinal tract
reduce bowel motility
increase cholesterol in bile

11. Melanin Lung function Brain increase pheomelanin, reduce eumelanin
promotes lung function by supporting alveoli
Brain
Stimulates endorphins, promotes seratonin and dopamine release and production

12. Symptoms of Estradiol Deficiency
Mood disturbances
Hot flashes
Night sweats
Depression
Anxiety
Dry skin
Decreased libido
Incontinence
Vaginal dryness
Insomnia
Memory Loss
Weight Gain
Skin thinning
Abnormal lipids

13. Is Estradiol Safe? Bio-Identical Hormones – exact copies
Bio-Similar Hormones – close, generally function like the hormone
Bio-Limited Hormones – a few functions only
Bio-Antagonists – block functions

14. Is Estradiol Safe?
BioIdentical Estradiol is the same chemical structure as what your body produces…so was it unsafe when you were making it?
Of course not…..

15. Breast Cancer and Estradiol
Does Estradiol cause Breast Cancer?
Women in China have virtually no incidence of breast cancer….yet are exposed to estradiol for 40 years of their lives
No study has ever shown a link between bio-identical estradiol and breast cancer

16. But I heard it causes Breast Cancer….
The Womens Health Initiative
Very large study in 1997 looking for benefits of HRT in post-menopausal women
Average age of inclusion – 65
No previous HRT use
Used PremPro – then the second most common medication 2.5 million women

17. Prem-Pro Combination of Premarin and Provera
Premarin “pregnant mare’s urine”
Contains 12 different xeno-estrogens
Only one is “similar” to estradiol
Activity of the other 11???
Patentable
Provera – methylprogesterone – not bioidentical

18. So what happened?
Study was terminated in 2002, because a study limit was exceeded – a “reported” 26% increase in the risk of breast cancer
Actual risk of control group 2.0%
Increased risk of study group 2.5%
….the change from 2.0% to 2.5% is 26%

19. And now for the rest of the story…..
Larger decrease in risk to colon cancer
Decrease in overall mortality
In 2009, in OBGYN News…those in the WHI who developed Breast Cancer AND were on PremPro survived their breast cancer far more than those who were in the placebo group…..

20. WHI Perspective Abnormal study group
Abnormal hormones used – not bioidentical
Slight increase risk in breast ca, greater decrease in colon cancer
Greater survival if develops breast ca

21. Testosterone improves oxygen uptake throughout the body
controls blood sugar
regulates cholesterol
increases lean body mass
prevents osteoporosis
maintains immune function
maintains cardiac functions
Stimulates neurological function and repair

22. Symptoms of Testosterone Deficiency in Women AND Men
Decreased or absent libido
Erectile or Sexual dysfunction
Decreased muscle mass
Decreased muscle strength
Osteoporosis
Heart disease
Sleep disorders
Memory failure
Irritability
Decreased energy level
Mood swings
Depression
Anxiety
Increased pain
Cold intolerance
Decreased self-confidence
Decreased cognition
Loss of sense of well-being

23. Is there anything I can do without taking hormones?
Lots….
Exercise
Diet
Herbal Supplements
Stress Reduction techniques
Chiropractic care
Massage therapy

24. Managing Hormones Basic Level
Start with symptoms
Educate on risks, benefits, alternatives
Begin therapy, monitor the results
Incrementally add or subtract whatever is needed for your personal desired effect
Once everything is “perfect” then measure to get a baseline
Generally, using Estradiol, Testosterone, and sometimes progesterone

25. How much does it Cost? If not covered by insurance:
Testosterone and estradiol cream thru the Women’s International Pharmacy is $19.50 per month each
Most insurance companies cover estradiol for women and testosterone for men, including MediCare
Most men are willing to pay $19.50 for testosterone for their wives…

26. Costs?
How much do you pay for antidepressants, blood pressure medication, cholesterol meds, or Viagra?
What is your personal cost of Osteoporosis, or Low Back Pain
What is an improved sense of well-being worth?

27. More Info? Strongly Recommend:
“Perfect Balance” by Dr Robert Greene, featured on Oprah, bestseller
“The Life Extension Revolution” by Philip Lee Miller, MD, Los Gatos Longevity Center
“Natural Hormone Balance for Women” by Uzzi Reiss, UCLA
Caution – be careful about what you read on the Internet!