HRT(Hormone Therapy) and Heart Disease
In all my years of practice as a board-certified gynecologist, only one of my patients had a heart attack. So this is one in hundreds of thousands. Yet in the news again this week is information that hormones do not prevent heart disease.
So I was thinking today, why are other doctors seeing heart attacks, and I am not?
So I thought of an answer. In my practice, since I was a young physician, I always believed in HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy). I encouraged all menopausal patients to take hormones. And I was a pretty good salesman, so most of them did. And in Scottsdale, AZ, if they hesitated, I just told them that they were going to look older than everyone else their age, and that usually convinced them. When they again hesitated, I also pointed out the scientific facts about HRT; hormones do NOT cause breast cancer, but do cause less senility and Alzheimer’s disease. To me, the main reason to take HRT is the effect on the brain, and the only argument about estrogen and Alzheimer’s is whether it decreases it 70 or 90%.
My wife takes HRT, as does my 84 year old sister, who last week was shoveling snow in New Jersey.
So why all the naysayers? Well, when one reaches menopause, HRT must be started right away. If this happens, it DOES prevent heart disease. If one reviews the SCIENTIFIC studies, they show that the problems occurring with heart disease, Alzheimer’s, etc. all stem from either the use of Provera with the estrogen, or starting HRT too late. If the later, and I feel 6 years after menopause MIGHT be too late to start, the vascular disease associated with heart and brain problems has ALREADY STARTED. So of course the studies show HRT won’t prevent heart disease.
So my advice: take HRT as soon as you start menopause. I personally prefer bioidentical HRT for my patients. Your brain will thank you, and so will your heart.
P.S. A study was published years ago that showed there was 70% LESS DEATHS from ALL CAUSES when women took HRT.
And if you want to look younger even still, consider Bare Skin care products with your HRT.
Warm regards,
Charles Bollmann, M.D., F.A.C.O.G.
Love All, Serve All
