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"There is no time for cut-and-dried monotony. There is time for work. And time for love. That leaves no other time!"

Coco Chanel








 




 
Featured Breast Cancer Articles

Drink Well: The Health Benefit of Black and Green Tea
Scientific studies continue to show that green tea is good for you. Tea began as a Chinese medicinal drink, and modern science proves just how green tea is good for you. In traditional Chinese medicine, tea helps to clear the eyes and head, resolve excess ...

Fitness Woman. Do you need a reason to get fit?
Feel free to use this article for your web site or e-zine as long you include the author bio and make sure all links are live and working. Please don't change anything in the article. It will also be awesome if you let me know if you use the article and ...

Volunteers Celebrating Survivorship: Answering The Call To Save Lives
"I get a lot of hugs that I hardly deserve," confessed 2004 Komen Ozark Race for the Cure® Co-Chair Walt Eilers, whose alter ego is President of Terrapin Consulting, LLC. "I've been overwhelmed by the number of women I've encountered who are affected ...




What Is Natural Hormone Replacement Therapy?
 
Our hormones maintain the chemical balance in the body. The menstrual cycle in women triggers the production of some important hormones like estrogen, progesterone and testosterone. When the ovaries stop functioning, whether due to age (menopause) or due to surgical removal, there is a cessation in the production of these vital hormones. Accompanying physiological changes include osteoporosis, vaginal dryness, hot flashes, insomnia, irregular periods, loss of libido, and possibly cancer. In women who have had their ovaries removed surgically, these changes are drastic and they experience a sudden drop in sex hormone levels. This can lead to severe health problems, especially in younger women. The aging process is not easy on men either. They start to lose energy, vigor, and stamina.

This is where Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) comes in. Through this treatment, the body is supplied enough hormones to make up for the lack of natural hormones. But, synthetic hormones are animal-derived hormone products. They come in a 'one-size-for-all' dose.

Synthetic Hormone Replacement Therapy is associated with a number of possible side effects and risks, which include:

-Increased risk of endometrial cancer
-Increased risk of breast cancer
-Increased risk of ovarian cancer
-Increased risk of Gallbladder disease
-Breast pain
-Nausea and fluid retention
-Increased moodiness

What is NHRT?

Due to the above-mentioned risks, synthetic HRT is now being replaced by Natural Hormone Replacement Therapy (NHRT) or 'bio-identical therapy.' The term 'bio-identical' means the hormone used is structurally and chemically identical to the hormone produced by the human body. That is why it is called 'natural,' as opposed to the synthetic hormone, which has a structure similar but not identical to the hormone produced by the body. Bio-identical hormones are produced from molecules of yam or soy, and undergo a series of chemical processes to make them similar to human hormones. Therefore the side effects and risks are greatly reduced while using NHRT.

In women, replacing the lost hormones can protect their cardiovascular health, prevent mental decline, and relieve menopausal symptoms. It helps to prevent loss of bone mass and occurrence of colon cancer, and may even delay the onset of Alzheimer's disease. Men experience an increase in mood, vigor, sexual function and muscle mass. Hormone replacement is powerful and must be monitored by an experienced practitioner.

Availability:

Some of these natural hormones are available in brand named products. But, it is easier to procure these hormones from compounding pharmacies. Pharmacies can supply the bio-identical hormones alone or combine them into a single dose. They can also offer these in the desired form whether it is a tablet, cream, or oil cap. In this way, you can individualize these hormones to fit your unique needs. Many times a physician who is not inclined to prescribing NHRTs may not be open to suggesting them to you. In that case, these pharmacists also have doctor referral information.

Nothing can replace what our bodies have been making naturally for many years. But NHRT comes as close to the real thing as possible. It is not a miracle cure. And often you have to go through some amount of trial and error such as dosage adjustments before you regain the hormonal balance. Most of the time, it will take between 3-6 months to see the results of therapy. Since the side effects are almost negligible and the benefits are huge, NHRTs are becoming a popular choice among men and women today.







Breast Cancer News

Awareness, education vital to breast cancer detection - Arlington Heights Daily Herald
As the Executive Director of Breast Cancer Network of Strength Illinois, formerly Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization, Illinois Affiliate, I would like to thank the Daily Herald for their great work in raising breast cancer awareness year after ...

The Dangerous Masquerade of the Feminist Majority Foundation - ChristianNewsWire
Contact: Karen Malec, Coalition on Abortion/Breast Cancer , 847-421-4000 MEDIA ADVISORY, Nov. 18 / Christian Newswire / -- "The Feminist Majority Foundation claims to be 'dedicated to women's equality, reproductive health and non-violence,'" said ...

No proof of vitamin C, D, E benefits - Baltimore Sun
Vitamin supplements - taken by millions of Americans to boost or maintain their health - don't reduce the risk of heart attacks, strokes or breast cancer, according to two large studies published today. In trial, 14,641 middle-age male physicians ...

Health News from NHS Choices - Scotsman
Breast cancer counselling Counselling can "double a woman's chances of surviving breast cancer" according to the Daily Mail today. The newspaper claimed that regular sessions with psychologists also cut the chances of the cancer returning, and ...

New Technique To Study The Genetics Of Breast Cancer - Science Daily
ScienceDaily (Nov. 13, 2008) — A new technique to study genetic changes that can lead to breast cancer could be one step closer. The University of Nottingham has received £15,000 from the charity Breast Cancer Campaign to fill in one of the ...