Show An alternate approach Proponents of alternative medicine concede the positive effects of estrogen but maintain that most women don't need such high levels They note that women in Asian countries have a much lower incidence of some menopausal symptoms perhaps owing to their high consumption of plants and compounds that contain natural estrogenlike hormones or phytoestrogens When a woman’s natural estrogen supply declines phytoestrogens help fill the gap Foods rich in phytoestrogens include soya (women who take soya supplements have fewer hot flashes and less osteoporosis) dong quai (Chinese angelica) wild yams black cohosh and milk thistle It’s worth discussing this approach with your doctor especially if you cannot safely take hormones Male wwiopucci Pom H wMT Those who say it does exist point to the fact that while the level of total testosterone (the male hormone) may not decrease much as men age the concentration offree testosterone — that part of the hormone not bound to a protein — does fall These lower levels of free testosterone they believe do bring about a “change of life" in men usually between 40 and 65 resulting in diminished potency and libido depression weight gain fatigue and loss of muscle and bone mass Replacing the testosterone they argue can reverse most of these symptoms Doubters say no testosterone is need— ed that in feet extra testosterone may pose a danger They recommend instead a program of regular exercise counseling not smoking and reducing alcohol intake (And there’s always Viagra!) Still if you don’t think that any of these measures help have your doctor check your testosterone level — both afree and a total reading If the values are too low you may ben-ef- it from supplemental testosterone H When considering mtmtfiamf and the consequences of its associated estrogen loss consider the entire body of evidence Brain: past 10 year research has explored questions surrounding the consequences of menopause and cognitive functioning memory For Ihe Eyes: Ongoing research continues to investigate cataracts in postmenopausal and Alzheimer's disease Teeth: Research continues to explore the association between tooth loss and menopause Uncomfortable symptoms: For over women as well as age-relat- macular ed degeneration the leading cause of blindness in the aging population Heart: Since the 1950s large-scal- e 50 years it's been known that estrogen dinical trials have researched loss associated with menopause causes the hot flashes and night disease in postmenopausal women looking at cholesterol heart attacks and death sweats that often influence cardio-vascul- ar mood and sleep Colon: Ongoing research continues to explore the risk of colon cancer Sexuality: Half a century of study has confirmed' that estrogen loss causes vaginal thinning and dryness ami increases the frequency of vaginal infections which can be uncomfortable and interfere with intimacy among postmenopausal women lone: Decades of research have proven that estrogen loss decreases bone mineral density and increases the risk of fractures from osteoporosis Today we know more than ever about the consequences of estrogen loss during and after menopause and the effect it has on your entire body We also know that not all therapies for conditions associated with menopause are the same and that some - may not impact many or all of these important health issues Talk to your doctor Because the more you know about menopause the better youH be able to protect your future health Isadore Rostnfeld MD is PARADE'S Health Editor and the author of eight books His latest “Live Now Age Later" will be published in June MMK HUH MARCH IL MM MOB II This message is sponsored by the Wyeth-Ayer- sl Women's Health Research Institute devoted exclusively to Ihe discovery md development of medicines that hHp women (ve healthier Kvts CmtVWMpnlljMmi 7010-1- 7 rp XSSt IJLjWKH MTI1UIE |