You heard right! Listen or read on to identify what to ask for. SH interviews Prof John Studd who continues to care about improving hormonal health in women.
SimplyHormones Presents: Professor Studd on Bio-identical Hormones
KC: I’d like to talk if I may about bio identical hormones. A lot of women are very interested in this because they are told it’s a more natural way to go because the hormones are absorbed in a more natural way than the equine oestrogen that’s mostly prescribed. Do you have an opinion on that?
Bio-identical hormones have been available in the UK for 20/30 years!
PS: Sure, I mean I’ve used nothing else but bio identical hormones for the last 20, 30 years. It’s been very common in Europe and what’s happened now is the Americans, now that they’ve overcome their love affair of horse urine and horse oestrones, they’ve just discovered it, they’ve just discovered the importance of using oestradiol, oestrone, testosterone and they’ve labelled this bio identical hormones and gullible people all around the world are thinking of this new American discovery which is a re-awakening on their part, a discovery of what we’ve been doing for 20 or 30 years and it’s quite true. If I hadn’t used Premerin for 20 years I think there’s no place for it whatsoever. We’re not horses, we’re not plants either, we should use natural human hormones, and that is oestradiol, oestrone and testosterone EHEA, which is the precursor to testerone perhaps, and natural progesterone if you can, and that’s all possible except the progesterone; we by and large use progestogen because it works. Progesterone cream doesn’t work, it’s not even absorbed, we’ve just spent, or I’ve just spent £100,000 studying this preparation and it’s not even absorbed, it has no effect with the bones, the mood, the flushes, the sweats.
KC: It’s not metabolised.
Want effective Progesterone cream? Ask your GP for Utrogestan
PS: It’s still a racket that you go on the internet for £35 a pot per month and it’s a waste of your money. I wish it did work, it would be very, very useful and convincing logically and so we really, although we use the bio-identical oestrogen and testosterone we are by and large stuck with sythentic norethisterone or Provera, although there is a more natural progresterone called Utrogestan, which is effective, and so the compromise is that I use this almost natural progesterone Utrogestan.
KC: So are the bio-identical hormones that you ‘re identifying with, where are they derived from, are they?
Hormones naturally sourced from Vegetables
PS: They all come from a laboratory. They don’t dig them out of the ground or dig them from trees, they are all made in a laboratory, by vegetable precursors and they’re pure and they are the same as the natural hormones in your body and my body.
KC: So it’s just a case if women really want to go down the road of bio-identical hormones it’s really only available from a private practice isn’t it?
Get your bio-identical hormones from your GP!
PS: No that’s not true. There’s no reason why a general practitioner should not give you oestradiol either by tablets or preferably transdermally, that’s by patch or by gel, that would be my ideal way of giving hormones, through the skin, just rubbing the oestrogen gel or testosterone gel, or a patch, but the patch caused rings, black rings where they use it very much or with an implant of course, which is very effective, a very convenient way of giving natural oestradiol and natural testosterone.
KC: That’s very interesting that you’ve explained that more fully, women can now go to their GP and say that I heard that you can prescribe me XYZ and they are then getting a la carte prescription aren’t they?
PS: They may choose not to, and this happens more and more these days, and so many GPs have just shut up shop for HRT and the menopause and there’s no justification for it and it’s wrong.
GP’s could offer effective, cheap treatment
KC: ‘Cos there are about 7/10 women that experience debilitating symptoms, so it’s not good on their part that they are not getting the advice they need.
PS: They are not getting very simple, very safe, very beneficial treatment. It’s also very cheap treatment.
KC: Yes, OK, we’ll have to stir up the GPs then to get their act together. I know the British menopause society is trying to push for GPs to be more informed.
PS: We’ve been trying that for now for 20 or 30 years!
KC: Yes, trying to get everybody singing from the same songsheet it’s a difficult one to achieve isn’t it?
Thank you very much for that. Interview ends.
If you’d like to know more about Professor John Studd: www.studd.co.uk
Professor John Studd DSc, MD, FRCOG was consultant gynaecologist at the Chelsea & Westminster Hospital, London and also professor of gynaecology at Imperial College.
He is now in fulltime private practice and runs the London PMS & Menopause Clinic at 46 Wimpole Street London W1G8SD. At the same address he has The Osteoporosis Screening Centre for the assessment and treatment of osteoporosis.
He is Vice-President of the National Osteoporosis Society and Chairman of the British Menopause Society.
In 2008 he was awarded the Blair Bell Gold Medal of the Royal Society of Medicine which is given every five years for the obstetrician/gynaecologist who has made the greatest lifetime contribution to the specialty.
SimplyHormones presents: An Interview with Prof John Studd, Vice President National Osteoporosis Society and Chairman of the British Menopause Society. Osteoporosis is a natural disease of aging but one we can ALL do something about – this brittle bone disease most often eats away at bones after degeneration of hormones at menopause. (more…)
Testosterone for libido, oestrogen for depression – when the imbalance of hormones with monthly PMT and later on menopause are the cause depression, why are women referred to psychiatrists and prescribed mind-numbing anti-psychotic drugs? You may well ask! Prof. John Studd, specialist obstetrician and gynaecologist tells us here, in the first of three interviews, about his quest to break down barriers in the medical profession to correctly treat women when hormone imbalance is not obvious. (more…)
My interview with Gill Burgess tells you everything you ever wanted to know about this silent killer; cervical smears – why they’re important and much much more. Gill Burgess is the Cancer Screening Co-ordinator for Croydon PCT, specialising in Breast, Bowel and Cervical Cancers. (more…)
Hi there, another thought provoking article for you wonderful guys giving you information on how your lovely ladies are feeling when they are going through menopause. This will help you to spot side effects of menopause so that you can understand their symptoms and be supportive. Happy Reading. If you need any help, please contact me for a chat. I would be very happy to help.
Millions of women are unsure how to recognise the first signs of menopause. It can be a frightening time. By taking steps earlier on, you can avoid problems later.
When does it happen? Around the age of 40.
• The first stage is ‘peri-menopause, when you may start to notice changes in your menstrual cycle along with other symptoms.
• ‘Menopause’ means final menses, the last menstrual period; this happens around the age of 51.
• At post-menopause and beyond some women still experience symptoms.
• The ‘journey’ can last up to 20 years. The worst time is two to three years before ‘menopause’; experiencing a ‘tsunami’ that can be overwhelming, creating feelings of inability to cope on a daily basis.
What are the symptoms? It’s quite common to feel ‘foggy’ in the mornings, like a hangover. Migraine may begin or increase in frequency and intensity. Missed periods; occasional hot flushes and night sweats can increase. Don’t be embarrassed by vaginal dryness and stress incontinence, they’re very common and easily resolved. Talk to your doctor or Practice Nurse.
Why? At puberty, hormones are just developing, creating havoc in the home – Remember? At menopause, they’re winding down for compulsory redundancy.
Hormones are messengers. The brain controls the activity of the body and sends messengers to do their job. Some of the messengers are already redundant and others are on over-drive; the messages get confused, resulting in symptoms that can be quite debilitating.
“I wasn’t to know, but I was about to experience the worst ten years of my life. After years of silence and denial I reached breaking point. I was physically and emotionally exhausted and worryingly close to divorcing the love of my life.” KC, Sussex
What are my choices? Natural or pharmaceutical? Taking steps to review your health at, say 40, can promote a smoother journey. Good nutrition, a regular exercise regime and stress reduction are at the heart of eliminating menopausal symptoms. Multi-tasking should not become a ‘badge of honour’.
HRT and Bio-identical hormones – If you are ‘climbing the walls’, these can help. HRT is available on the NHS. Bio-identical hormone therapy; phyto (plant) based hormones are said to be more effective because of individualised prescription, whereas HRT is generic in form. You can get bio-available from some private doctors.1 Homeopathy/naturopathy can also help. In all cases your medical history will be discussed to establish the best course of action.
What to avoid? Your doctor may recommend anti-depressants. These do NOT prevent hot flushes. Your own doctor may be struggling with lack of knowledge. Ask to see someone else if your own doctor is unhelpful.
The risks? All things are relative and as with any prescribed medication, there can be additional risks (less so with the natural bio-identical hormones and homeopathy) and should be discussed thoroughly with your medical practitioner.
‘I went through menopause symptom free!’ On reaching 54, most women are considered post-menopausal. Some women will start experiencing symptoms now. Your body is going through a metamorphosis and reviewing your lifestyle is a must. The right nutrition, exercise and stress reduction, all improve health.
What happens if I do nothing? Processed foods, fizzy drinks, alcohol and smoking not only create health problems, in the short term, they will shorten your life.
Cardio vascular disease is the biggest killer in women (greater than all the cancers) and Type 2 Diabetes is affecting people at a much younger age.
The minimum recommendation is to review your lifestyle; improve nutrition, exercise and reduce stress; you know the drill, it’s well publicised. Start small and build on this, make a commitment and you will become healthier, fitter, reduce debilitating symptoms and live longer.
Kathryn Colas is founder and author of www.simplyhormones.com, an independent privately funded website, providing specialist advice and support for women at all stages of menopause. She has appeared in women’s magazines and is a regular speaker on radio; Kathryn also gives talks to women’s groups and medical groups. Subscription to her website is a one-off £20.
More information:
Kathryn Colas
www.simplyhormones.com
E: kathryn@simplyhormones.com
T: 01825 700492/01825 712858/07881 614953
Post: P O Box 218, Uckfield, East Sussex TN22 3YT
Women’s health changes at menopause because of the huge decline in hormones and they become more susceptible to not only age related diseases (heart disease, osteoporosis, etc) but also to FLU. Just getting over the worst batch of flu I have ever had and want to do some exercise. I have lost a couple of pounds of muscle and want to start getting that back but worry that if I do ‘too’ much, I’ll end up back in bed. What do you recommend? Lots of people going down with flu at the moment… Let me know you recommendations and views. Kathryn
I do hope that all the followers of my www.simplyhormones.com blog will be inerested to learn that I am exhibiting at the Health and Wellbeing @ Work Exhibition on 6th and 7th March at the NEC Birmingham – http://z6.co.uk/1rw
Please visit me on Stand 159 and get first hand information on the issues concerning the health and wellbeing of female staff at your place of work and the easy remedy that improves loyalty and productivity.
I will give you the chance to learn all about improving the health and wellbeing of your female workforce with regard to menopause issues and will provide you with new ideas and resources to ensure that your ladies are fit and healthy, return to work quickly following an absence and are supported through the effects of menopausal symptoms.
Did you know that seven out of ten womenexperience the debilitating effects of menopause and it’s important from everyone’s point of view to receive better information in order to understand these issues and endeavour to assist your female workforce during these difficult times.
If you are attending this exhibition, please visit me on Stand 159. I will have plenty of information to hand out in addition to samples of products for ladies going through menopause. I look forward to welcoming you.
I’m Kathryn Colas and Simply Hormones brings you the latest news on menopause and other women’s health issues like breast cancer, ovarian cancer and HRT. Learn what you need to know from someone who’s personally experienced and survived menopause or listen to my interviews with medical professionals on podcast anytime. For more information on the symptoms of menopause and how to live with it just visit my website SimplyHormones.com.
#18: Bio-identical hormones from your GP?
I’m Kathryn Colas and Simply Hormones brings you the latest news on menopause and other women’s health issues like breast cancer, ovarian cancer and HRT. Learn what you need to know from someone who’s personally experienced and survived menopause or listen to my interviews with medical professionals on podcast anytime. For more information on the symptoms of menopause and how to live with it just visit my website 
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