Hi all,

We're fascinated by this subject, not only because we're 50-something women but because we've studied the effects of bioidentical hormones vs. natural plant-based phytoestrogens for some time. It's interesting to us that Oprah is so closely aligned with Dr. Christiane Northrup (whom we consider to be the "good fairy godmother" of contemporary menopause research!) and that it took so long for her to get her hormones regulated!

We're looking forward to hearing what she has to say, and what the "experts" are currently reporting on this subject. We are sisters who both went through early menopause in our 30's, which led us to be "super-sleuths" regarding our own hormonal health (we refused to be on synthetic hormones for the rest of our lives, despite our doctors' well-intended recommendations).

Due to our personal experiences we actually researched and developed our own natural menopause support supplements a few years ago, not because we need them anymore but because all our friends are now going through menopause and we wanted to support them with our knowledge. We are now two happy early 50's entrepreneurs who are helping thousands of women with our natural products. We're SO pleased to be serving women during this time of our lives... it's fulfilling beyond words.

We look forward to hearing all about the latest research from Oprah, and hope we can contribute our knowledge and experience to help many more women.

Warmly,

JoAnn & Lynn (aka The MenoMavens)

I can hardly wait for this one! I am the same age as Oprah and for the last year and and a bit I have simply not been myself. What is missing is my enthusiasm. I've had a bunch of little health things, I tired, I'm not sleeping great, my digestion is up and down. Yikes! I've read and read about bioidentical hormones, but have been hard pressed to find a doctor who really knows the facts. Thank you and thank you and thank you.

Thank you, Thank you for discussing this issue, I cannot wait .Between Dr. Northrop and Suzanne Somers finally we will be able to have choices rather than one option for all attitude like so many doctors continue to do without thinking we are crazy.

Kudos to Oprah for devoting a show to Bioidentical Hormones! I am a nurse practitioner in Iowa and have been practicing since 2001 using bioidentical hormones. I suffered through my 30s into my 40s with menopause-like symptoms which resolved dramatically when beginning bioidentical hormones. In 1997 I found a physician to evaluate my hormone levels and I began bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT). Within 3 months I was feeling so well that I had the health to apply to a nurse practitioner program at the University of Iowa where I graduated in 2000 as a family nurse practitioner. During that time I completed a research project looking retrospectively at 100 women's charts who used BHRT. 96 of the 100 women were using BHRT 12 months later which is a fantastic compliance rate when compared to synthetic/non-bioidentical hormone alternatives. I published an article in 2001 in a nurse practitioner journal about BHRT. During my education at Iowa, I pioneered an Adult Education class with a local compounding pharmacist. We've been holding anywhere from 6-8 classes per year over the past 10 years with several thousand women attending from around Iowa to learn about BHRT, our female physiology, symptoms of imbalance, conventional hormones, etc. Iowa ARNP

I am looking forward to this show. I am years away from menopause but these hormones have helped me tremendously.

At 39 1/2 I had my first child. I have not felt the same since in ways that go beyond what most other women experience after child birth. I was fatigued, moody, had pockets of fat on strange areas of my body which would not disappear, and a general feeling of dis-ease and unrest. The symptoms stayed and in some instances became greater over the coming years.

I tried everything I could think of to return to my former self, to no avail. Last year, at 44 I went to a doctor specializing in alternative medicine and natural remedies to increase longevity.

After extensive testing we discovered -that although I my levels are "astonishingly youthful" and years away from menopause- my actual estrogen level was sky-high! The doctor put me on bio identical hormons and restored all my levels to normal range. I feel wonderful and every symptom has disappeared or shown dramatic improvement.

Can't wait. I'm currently 49 and I went on natural cream progesterone and estrodial (bio-identical) 2 years ago. I didn't know the estrogen was in it. I heard progesterone was calming, etc... I didn't realize it but slowly over a 2 month period I started getting heart palpitations, major panic attacks, actual out of body experiences, and almost had a nervous breakdown. I went to many doctors trying to figure out what was wrong as they said it was in my head, gave me xanax, etc.... and I knew it wasn't right. I was so scared. When I found out estrogen was in the cream, I stopped it and by that night I started to feel myself. Next day, no symptons and I was back to normal, although I developed IBS (stomach) as a result of the trauma. Now I'm scared to go on it but I hear so many good things about progesterone (bio).

help,

i am on bio id hormones and i don't understand why my insurance is not covering them. i use 1.Bi-Es .625mg/m.

2. testosterone 1% CREAM AND progesterone 4% cream. it's frustrating. but glad i'm feeling better. i'm an r.n not a typist.

thanks

joanieok

thanks, i am also on bio id hormones but can't seem to get my insurance to pay for them. any wisdom.

joanieok

Aloha

Bioidentical hormones ROCK! I've been on them for almost 10 years.

They are personalized - created just for me. One of many benefits is that

I do not look my age, which is soooo fun - YEA!

I highly recommend them and plan on staying on them for the rest of my life.

It's great to have doctors who understand how they work.

I purchase mine directly from Acology Pharamecy in Florida. Have found

that I save a lot of money purchasing them directly rather than having insurance.

Oprah - I'm so happy you found a solution. These personalized Rxs are awesome.

Thank you for talking about this.

Have a fantabulous day!

I am an internal medicine physician (MD) and believe in bioidentical hormones.

Read Kenna Stephenson's book "Awakening Athena: Resiliance, Restoration and Rejuvenation for Women."

I personally know Kenna and her husband Doug. Kenna does research and I know dozens of women who have changed completely, both physically and psychologically for the better.

Kenna is a physician in Family Practice (MD) and husband Doug is also an internal medicine physician (DO) with an outpatient practice devoted entirely to this.

I was told that because bioidentical hormones are plant derivative, they can't be patented. And because they can't be patented there isn't any money in it for the drug companies. Hence, most doctors don't know about them...

I've been using progesterone cream for 5 years and get partial reimbursement from our health company. [I live in Canada].

Don't miss this program... it has changed my life [and my daughter when she had huge hormones shifts at 13]. Instead of the pill, the doctor had her use progesterone cream and within weeks she was doing really well.

Thank you Oprah for this hugely important topic for women's well being and quality of life...

When I received the most recent O magazine detailing Oprah's health problems and weight gain, I was in the middle of researching my own health issues and diagnosing my hormone imbalance. I had just read Diana Schwarzbein's declaration that you don't lose weight to get healthy, you have to get healthy to lose weight. Oprah, this is the "connection"! We are under assault by hormone disruptors (synthetic hormones)--in birth control pills, in our makeup and skin and hair care products, in the plastics our foods come in, in our milk and meat (you know all about that!), even in our drinking water--in additoin to the natural changes that occur after childbirth and as we age. After years of trying to get my doctors to help me and geting only prescriptions for antidepressants, sleeping pills, and diet pills (no thanks!), I, with the help of my mom, Suzanne Somers, Chritiane Northrup, Diana Schwarzbein, and Erika Schwartz, have, I believe, figured it out. I went off the pill, got on vitamins and supplements, got rid of all hair and skin products containing parabens, found a doctor who specializes in BHRT, and have had a hormone panel. I'm awaiting the results of the panel, but I can already tell that getting off the pill has helped. Three days after going off, I slept through the night for the first time in 11 years.

Thank you for exploring this topic, Oprah. You have a voice that can help millions of women suffering from natural as well as environmental factors causing hormone imbalance. I hope it helps you as well. And, if you tell the truth about why bioidentical hormones are not FDA-approved and not taught to our doctors in medical school or subsequent training, be prepared for an even bigger fight than you had with the beef industry. I've heard that the pharmaceutical industry is the biggest lobbying group in Washington. They have many, many politicians in their pocket. I'm hopeful that one of the reforms we will see in the Obama Administration is in the hold Big Pharm has over our health care and insurance.

Bioidentical Hormones - Gave me back my life!

My mother lost her battle to ovarian cancer when she was 68. At age 42 I was faced with the same prognosis. So I underwent a complete hysterctomy and thankfully all the tumors were benign. I felt at that point I was free and clear and my life long suffering with monthly health issues were over. But, what I faced was not only a nightmare of health issues, but a health care system that knew nothing about how to treat me.

Treatment began immediately after surgery with an estrogen patch. Luckily it was a bioidentical patch - but none-the-less, I was told after 6 months I needed to get off of estrogen - that it not only was dangerous - but that I didn't need it. So I followed orders and at the 6 month mark when my last patch was put on - I went cold turkey. Within weeks I was suffering from night sweats - which turned into day sweats, weight gain, insomnia and fatigue. My insomnia became a fighting match - and it turned my days into total exhaustion. Working full-time, managing a large group of people - and going through the process of adoption - I had no time. And at that time I felt that my doctor was right - so I just keep on moving at a fast pace and dealing with my decling health. I managed to stay physically active but my weight climbed, my libido dropped, and my exhaustion hit an all time high. Shortly after that I was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism and Mono. I felt like crap. So my Ob/Gyn agreed to put me back on estrogen - with the promise that after a year I'd cut back and get off of it completely.

One year ago, my health, weight and mental well being were in crisis. I couldn't get my thyroid normalized, I was a physical wreck. Then I read Suzzane Somers book Ageless and I felt like I was reading my answer to prayer. It was all there, plain as day, the cause, the result and a possible solution. I called and scheduled an appt. immediately with a doctor, trained in Bioidentical Hormone Replacement - and immediately following a round of blood tests I was sitting at a table - finally getting some answers. It was my AHA moment in life - I finally was able to take charge of my health and I finally had data to back up why I felt so crappy.

Within the first month of bioidentical hormones I felt a huge difference. Now 8 months later - I am seeing results. I am still working on getting my thyroid normalized and a few other symptoms - but compared to a year ago - I am a new person.

I now hope in time, the U.S. health care system realizes the importance of this therapy and covers it under insurance plans. This is quite an investment for me (out-of-pocket) but it is so worth it.

I'm so glad for Oprah - and hope that she has had a full blood workup and has a balanced program for her overall therapy of hormones. I wish her the best on her journey to restoring her health.

Nance

I can't find a Doctor here in SE Michigan that will help me with Bio Identical Hormones. Can anybody give suggestions or recommendations?