estrogen cream 31a

Estrogen is known as the 'female hormone' or  'sex hormone',  it plays a key role in shaping the female body and preparing it for such functions as pregnancy.  Estrogen is commonly thought of as only the sex hormone, associated mainly with reproduction, but it also affects many different organs in the body.  Cells in the vagina, bladder, breasts, skin, bones, arteries, heart, liver, and the brain all contain estrogen receptors, they require this hormone to stimulate these receptors for normal cell function.  Estrogen is needed to keep the skin smooth and moist, and the body's internal thermostat operating properly.  Estrogen is  necessary for proper bone formation and  keeping the arteries unclogged.  Without adequate estrogen the female body would not come to maturity.

Estrogen is comprised of  three parts, estrone (E1), estradiol (E2), and estriol (E3).  Estradiol is the kind produced within the ovaries, estrone however is formed from the conversion of estradiol.  Estriol is also made in the ovaries but in much smaller quantities than the other two are.  Estriol levels are produced in generous amounts during pregnancy, but taper back to normal amounts shortly thereafter.  These estrogens in our skin cream are natural, and are easily metabolized.

The estrogens used in conventional ''Estrogen Replacement Therapy'' (ERT), are estrone and estradiol, these are not balanced with estriol.  Christiane Northrup, M.D., author of the book, Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom (Bantam book, New York), and a physician practising alternative women's medicine, cautioned that this may be the reason breast cancer is implicated with ERT.  Estriol is the weaker estrogen and must be given in higher doses to achieve the same effect, she speculated that it could ''well have a protective effect against breast cancer'' in general.  It is important when administering estrogen that it includes all three components in proper balance, just as nature intended.   

Estrogen together with progesterone, another female hormone made by the ovaries,  regulates the changes that occur with each monthly period and prepares the uterus for pregnancy.  Prior to menopause, more than 90% of the estrogen in a woman's body is made by the ovaries, (we can see why women having their ovaries removed, go through such radical changes).  Other organs such as the adrenal glands, liver, and kidneys produce small amounts of estrogen, this is the reason women in menopause continue to make small amounts.  Overweight women tend to have fewer problems with hot flushes and osteoporosis (both produced by a lack of estrogen) because fat cells also make up small amounts of estrogen.

Other important benefits of estrogen become apparent when estrogen levels decline after menopause.  For instance, estrogen stimulates skeletal growth and helps maintain healthy bones, also protects the heart and veins by increasing the good cholesterol (HDL) and lowering the bad cholesterol (LDL).  Heart disease, often thought of as a ''man's problem'', is the leading cause of death among women, experts believe that estrogen replacement may be the single most important factor in preventing heart disease.

Estrogen levels decline in the 30s and continue to fall until menopause.  After menopause the sex drive diminishes, the reproductive organs, including the vagina, shrinks markedly and loses normal function, becoming dry, and easily irritated, if an estrogen-containing hormone supplement is used, this can be alleviated.  It may sound surprising, but frequent sexual activity is one of the most effective remedies for vaginal dryness.

Some of the effects a women may discover when estrogen and progesterone are deficient  are: hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, fatigue, dizziness, headaches, anxiety, depression, poor libido, bladder problems, vaginal dryness, burning or itching, and discomfort during sexual intercourse, breast tenderness, dryness and aging of the skin, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, and insomnia.  Over the long term, the diminished supply of estrogen increases the likelihood of cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and vaginal atrophy.  Osteoporosis in particular is a major problem for women after menopause.  An estimated 80% of the 250,000 hip fractures that occur in the United States every year are due to osteoporosis.

After reading the above associated problems, a woman may want to avoid this time in life, viewing this stage as an end to youth, beauty, and sexuality. This must not be the view taken or life will become much more difficult.  This time frame must be approached positively, think of it as opening the door to your next phase in life, not loosing but gaining.  With a proper mental attitude, balanced diet, nutritional supplements, and exercise, most of these side effects will either be eliminated or greatly minimized. 

For women who still have their uterus, progesterone cream is recommended to take in addition to the estrogen dose because it reduces the risk of cancer of the uterus, (this is a major concern with women on the ERT prescription estrogen), this is called combination therapy.

When To Use:
Estrogen replacement therapy can be used to treat some women before, during and after menopause.  Menopause means having no menstrual periods for at least 6 months to 1 year, there are two kinds of menopause:

Physiological menopause refers to menopause that occurs naturally for most women between 45 and 60; the average is 50 to 52.  

Artificial menopause, referring to women who have the ovaries removed by surgery or damaged by radiation therapy.

Regular daily dosage of 1\4 tsp.(.625 mg of estrogen) to 1\2 tsp., to be applied in your soft spots, under neck, breast, inner thigh, or vaginally.  The correct amount of estrogen is not necessarily the right amount for another, it is best to consult your health care provider for your own individual needs.