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Hormone Imbalance & Natural Hormone Therapy Presented by Stark Professional Pharmacy

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Causes of Hormone Imbalance <ul><li>Natural Menopause </li></ul><ul><li>Hysterectomy/Tubal Ligation </li></ul><ul><li>Childbirth </li></ul><ul><li>Severe illness </li></ul><ul><li>Medication </li></ul><ul><li>Family Genetics </li></ul><ul><li>Environmental toxins </li></ul><ul><li>Stress/fatigue </li></ul><ul><li>Excessive dieting or exercise </li></ul>

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Symptoms of Hormone Imbalance <ul><li>Hot flashes/Night Sweats </li></ul><ul><li>Insomnia </li></ul><ul><li>Depression </li></ul><ul><li>Fuzzy thinking/memory loss/poor concentration </li></ul><ul><li>Mood Swings/Irritability </li></ul><ul><li>Weight gain </li></ul><ul><li>Menstrual Irregularities </li></ul><ul><li>Dry eyes, sinuses </li></ul><ul><li>Vaginal/bladder infections </li></ul><ul><li>Vaginal dryness/thinning painful intercourse </li></ul><ul><li>Loss of libido </li></ul><ul><li>Fibroids/Endometriosis </li></ul><ul><li>PMS Symptoms </li></ul>

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The Menstrual Cycle <ul><li>Day 1 Bleeding begins. New follicle secretes estrogen </li></ul><ul><li>Day 14 Ovulation. Follicle  Corpus Luteum and secretes progesterone </li></ul><ul><li>Day 28 Hormone levels drop. End of cycle </li></ul>

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What is a Natural Hormone? <ul><li>Matches human hormone molecule </li></ul><ul><li>Comes from soy or wild yam plants </li></ul><ul><li>Made in pharmaceutical laboratories </li></ul><ul><li>Prescribed by a physician </li></ul><ul><li>Purchased at a pharmacy </li></ul>

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Natural vs. Synthetic Estrogen Synthetic hormones have a different molecular structure than human hormones .

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Natural vs. Synthetic Progesterone

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The Hormone Lock & Key <ul><li>Human hormones fit the shape of human receptor cells </li></ul><ul><li>Synthetic hormones have the wrong shape </li></ul><ul><li>Receptor cells may not respond correctly </li></ul><ul><li>Synthetic hormones are difficult to break down </li></ul>

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Hormone Pathways Cholesterol Pregnenolone Progesterone DHEA Andro- stenedione Cortisol Estrone Estriol Estradiol Testosterone

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Common Side Effects of Synthetic Hormones <ul><li>Blood clots </li></ul><ul><li>Gallbladder disease </li></ul><ul><li>Endometrial and breast cancer </li></ul><ul><li>Nausea, vomiting, gastrointestinal disturbances </li></ul><ul><li>Headaches, migraines </li></ul><ul><li>High blood pressure, high cholesterol </li></ul><ul><li>Weight gain, bloating </li></ul><ul><li>Depression </li></ul>

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Benefits of Natural Hormones <ul><li>An identical match to human hormones </li></ul><ul><li>Will not interfere with normal hormone production </li></ul><ul><li>Relieve hormone imbalances to maintain health </li></ul><ul><li>Can prevent or reverse osteoporosis </li></ul><ul><ul><li>Research on other diseases is on-going </li></ul></ul><ul><li>Available for over 50 years </li></ul><ul><li>Individualized doses possible with compounding </li></ul><ul><li>Minimal side effects </li></ul>

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Why do Doctors still prescribe synthetics? <ul><li>Familiarity </li></ul><ul><ul><li>Medical school training </li></ul></ul><ul><ul><li>40 years of experience </li></ul></ul><ul><ul><li>Limited awareness of current research </li></ul></ul><ul><ul><li>Fear of liability. Peer pressure </li></ul></ul><ul><ul><li>Influence of drug company sales reps </li></ul></ul><ul><li>Economics </li></ul><ul><ul><li>Naturals can not be patented </li></ul></ul><ul><ul><li>Synthetics are worth millions of $$$ </li></ul></ul><ul><ul><li>Drug companies control most research studies </li></ul></ul>

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Deciding the Dosage <ul><li>Need is determined by </li></ul><ul><ul><li>Symptoms—valuable diagnosis tool </li></ul></ul><ul><ul><li>Lab tests—benchmark and basis for comparison </li></ul></ul><ul><li>Start with baseline doses known for age and menstrual status </li></ul><ul><li>Adjustment as needed based on response </li></ul><ul><li>May change over time </li></ul>

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Format and Treatment Time <ul><li>Choices in delivery formats </li></ul><ul><ul><li>Compounded cream, gel, troches, capsules, etc. </li></ul></ul><ul><ul><li>Pre-made pills, patches, rings, etc. </li></ul></ul><ul><li>Cycling vs. steady dose </li></ul><ul><ul><li>You are NOT Suzanne Sommers! </li></ul></ul><ul><li>Length of treatment is open-ended </li></ul><ul><ul><li>Current recommendation=lowest dose for shortest time necessary to relieve symptoms & maintain health </li></ul></ul>

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Working with the Medical System <ul><li>Start with your current doctor </li></ul><ul><li>Find a new doctor who will work with you </li></ul><ul><li>The compounding pharmacist can help </li></ul><ul><ul><li>Stark Pharmacists available for a FREE private consultation. </li></ul></ul><ul><li>Average cost $50 to $70 per month </li></ul><ul><li>Health insurance coverage varies </li></ul>

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Hormone Helpers <ul><li>Quit smoking </li></ul><ul><li>Eat a healthy, balanced diet </li></ul><ul><li>Dietary supplements (vitamins, calcium, fish oil, etc.) </li></ul><ul><li>Limit caffeine, alcohol, refined sugar/corn syrup/simple carbohydrates </li></ul><ul><li>Faithful exercise routine </li></ul><ul><li>Reduce stress </li></ul>

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Making Your Decision <ul><li>Quality of life. How do you feel? </li></ul><ul><li>Comfort with limits of current research? </li></ul><ul><li>Willing to be an active participant in your health care? </li></ul><ul><li>Feeling guilty? Why?? </li></ul><ul><li>Your health and lifestyle goals? </li></ul>

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You Deserve to Feel Good and Be Healthy!