Natural Hormone Replacement Therapy For Women And Men

By Varsha Rathod, M.D.

Hormonal imbalance can cause a variety of symptoms and diseases in women, including:

— Pre-Menstrual Syndrome (PMS)

— Erratic periods

— Excessive cramps

— Fibroid uterine tumors

— Fibrocystic disease of the breast

— Breast cancer

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Many doctors treat these issues by prescribing synthetic hormones, sometimes in combination with anti-depressants and anti-anxiety agents. These treatments are often based solely on patient-reported symptoms without ever testing actual hormone levels.

At Preventive Medicine, our approach to bringing hormones into balance includes monitoring symptoms and lab values. Dr. Rathod has developed a testing routine that helps her design a custom hormone replacement plan for each patient. And Dr. Rathod prescribes only Natural Hormone Replacement Therapy.

Natural vs. Synthetic

‘Natural’ replacement hormones are exact replicas of the hormones our bodies produce on their own. They are manufactured from soy or wild yams. Some examples of these natural hormones are estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone. ‘Synthetic’ replacement hormones are similar to the hormones our bodies produce. However, the small structural differences can cause these replacement hormones to react differently in the body, often leading to unpleasant side effects. Some examples of synthetic hormones are Premarin, which is produced from pregnant mares, and Provera and PremPro, which are made of synthetic materials.

Why then, you may wonder, are synthetic hormones so popular? It is interesting to note that manufactured hormones are only eligible for patents if they are somehow modified. A major shift from synthetic to natural hormones would have huge ramifications for pharmaceutical companies.

In addition to receiving only natural hormone replacement therapy, Dr. Rathod’s patients enjoy the benefits of a full wellness evaluation which explores nutrition, stress, emotional and spiritual health, and physical fitness.

For more information about Natural Hormone Replacement Therapy, Dr. Rathod recommends ‘Ageless’ by Suzanne Somers, and ‘Sex, Lies, and Menopause’ by Susan Wiley. To get started on Natural Hormone Replacement Therapy please call for an appointment at 314-997-5403.

Two recommended books on this subject are: “Ageless” by Suzanne Somers and “Sex, Lies, and Menopause” by T.S. Wiliey

Venus(women) and Mars(men) Can Benefit From Natural Hormone Replacement Therapy

Women Are you experiencing weight gain, chronic fatigue, depression, chills, mental fog, hot flashes, mood swings, headaches, breast tenderness, decreased libido, or vaginal dryness?

Men Are you troubled by muscle weakness, depression, unexplained aches and pains, or decreased sex drive?

All of these problems can be caused by hormone imbalances.

Most people are familiar with estrogen and progesterone because they are frequently discussed in the media. Although hormones such as: cortisol, DHEA, insulin, thyroid, melatonin, luteinizing hormone, and various intestinal hormones are less well known, they play a key role in maintaining overall health and well-being. Imbalances in one or more of these can disrupt equilibrium and lead to a variety of unpleasant symptoms.

Stress, fatigue, and weight gain, for example, can indicate overworked adrenal glands. Low levels of cortisol may also lead to fatigue and sluggishness. High levels of cortisol can lead to anxiety and insomnia. A poorly functioning thyroid gland can cause cold hands and feet. A melatonin imbalance can impair healthy sleep patterns. Low levels of human growth hormone can cause premature aging. These are merely a few examples of the health issues that can result from hormonal imbalance.

I use a Natural Hormone Replacement Therapy (NHRT) protocol. Natural hormones better mimic the hormones made by the body. Synthetic hormones, on the other hand, consist of different chemical structures than the body’s own hormones and can therefore cause unwanted side effects. NHRT follows a natural rhythm which occurs over a 28-day cycle for women and a 31-day cycle for men. Venus and Mars are not so different after all!

Some physicians prescribe hormones based on symptoms without monitoring lab values. I prefer to take a holistic approach by analyzing the appropriate labs and monitoring symptoms. Balancing hormones is a journey, it may require tweaking and working to optimize other body functions before you feel your best. It requires patient education.

To learn more please call Preventive Medicine to schedule an appointment at 314-997-5403.

About the Author: About the Author: Dr. Varsha Rathod is a Board Certified Rheumatologist and Internist. Preventive Medicine has focused on a combination of traditional and holistic medicine since 1967. For more information about alternative solutions, visit

PreventiveMedicineSTL.com

or call 314-997-5403.

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