Question for Dr. Lauro

I just had to commend you for a wonderful, straight-forward article about hormones for us "hotties." I would love to know if Dr. Lauro has ever looked into the cancer, diabetes, high cholesterol, etc., treatments at the Nevada Center in Carson City, Nev. Dr. Schallenberg writes an interesting blog about alternatives, and though I've always clung to traditional medicine, I'm beginning to see some sense in his methods—particularly when a friend with Stage 4 esophageal cancer was cured in a couple of months there. Please ask Dr. Lauro if he has checked out this hospital and what he thinks.

-Joni Hilton

Dieting Key to Staying Healthy During Menopause

Thank you for your article on hormones. My husband is a chiropractor and we also deal with women and menopause. A funny thing is if you ask them about their diet, some never drink plain water, some drink Diet Coke first thing in the morning, and some also work 40-50 hours a week at high stress jobs.
For some reason somebody has made menopause a disease that needs to be treated, but it’s not. It is a naturally occurring process that a woman’s body was created to achieve when her childbearing years have expired. Menopause has been around since Mother Eve. It’s the same with puberty. Some people think girls needs to be "treated" if their periods are uncomfortable. I Suggest we take a closer look at diet and exercise first before, like you said, putting chemicals into our bodies that aren't necessary and could possibly upset that delicate balance and cause harm to ourselves in the future.

-Anonymous

Doctor Applauds Accurate Description of Menopause

I applaud Dr. Lauro's accurate description of evaluation and treatment of menopause. I was concerned about the previous article expounding the benefits of progesterone. It is necessary for prevention of estrogen stimulated buildup of the endometrium, maintaining early pregnancy, contraception, and breast development. It has been implicated (WHI) in causing breast cancer, bloating, depression, and weight gain.
I am an assistant professor at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio and menopause is an area that I teach residents and medical students. I had thought about a rebuttal to the previous article and am glad that you chose Dr. Lauro to clarify.

-Dr. Steven Weight, MD
Cleveland, Ohio

Better Prepared After Reading Article

I found this article to be very straight forward and informative. It was a quick read and I appreciated all the facts contained. Menopause is just around the corner for me and I am certainly better informed having read this article. Thanks.
- Dawn

Understanding Risks Important for Women

I applaud Dr. Lauro’s honest discussion of this topic. Here is some data from the female hormone study about the actual increased risk from estrogen/progesterone combination therapy:

-For every 10,000 women who take the combination of both hormones, there will be seven more heart attacks in the first two years. Apparently after two years the risk is the same as if you were not taking the hormones.

-There will be eight more strokes. There will be eight more breast cancers. There will be 18 more women who have (thrombotic events) clots. After two years the excess risk apparently goes away.

-On the plus side there, will be six fewer colon cancers and five fewer hip fractures in the women taking the same hormone combination.

Women deserve an honest answer to the question of whether or not to take replacement hormone therapy and not one skewed by sensationalism and fear mongering. It should also be noted that the study only looked at combination hormone replacement therapy, not estrogen alone.

One of the problems during the period when a woman is starting to go through early, or peri-menopause, is that their periods may be too close together, too heavy or too irregular. If the woman does not smoke, she may be able to go on birth control pills to ease her through the transition period.

Everything we choose to do or not do has a risk. No one can make an intelligent choice without understanding the risks involved.

-Dr. Jim Brown, MD
Des Moines, Iowa

Thanks for Most Current Info on HRT

You are correct, Dr. Lauro. Thank you for the most current information. As a woman on HRT for 26 years (endometriosis issues at a very young age) and now with a mastectomy and breast cancer, I have done extensive research on HRT. Nothing has helped menopausal symptoms like HRT, and nothing has done more for breast cancer than long-term HRT.
Thank you for setting the record straight and hopefully preventing serious health issues as well.

-Jani Smith West Jordan, Utah

HRT Was the Cause of My Breast Cancer

I was given estrogen/progesterone therapy because of my extremely heavy menstrual flow back in the mid ‘90s. I did develop breast cancer in 1997 and my surgeon told me it was from the hormone replacement I was given, and I was to never take those meds again. I now finally have the diagnosis of Hashimoto's disease and all the symptoms I had back then seem to be possible through this thyroid problem that I now, finally, have the diagnosis for. This diagnosis came about through an auto-immune series of testing that I was given by an allergist. Ever since my surgeon told me about the hormone replacement therapy causing my breast cancer, I have told women I have been talking with about my story to try to warn them, but you would not believe how many just would not listen.

-Linda Powell

Menopause is a Natural Occurrence

Thank you for Dr. Lauro's no nonsense report on menopause. As a medical writer for over 25 years, I loathe taking any prescription drug; yet, when I first approached menopause, every doctor I saw tried to convince me to take hormone replacement therapy—even though I had very minor "symptoms.” I refused—and later felt vindicated—when the dangers and risks of such therapy were revealed (as mentioned in the article). I view menopause as a natural occurrence for a woman, not a "disease" that needs treatment. My key to success during menopause and beyond has been to maintain a positive attitude, good diet, regular exercise and a productive lifestyle.

-Audrey Weitzman
New York City, NY

Information on Testosterone Replacement Requested

You didn't discuss your views on testosterone replacement. I would love some additional straightforward information on this. I am currently taking Estratest. Thanks.

-Barbara Jones

Article on Bioidenticals Could be Beneficial to Readers

While the information was good, I found it lacking in many areas. I had to have a total hysterectomy in January 2008. I was given Premarin for my hormone treatment much against my wishes. Ihad asked for bioidenticals, but for one year I took Premarin and it was awful. It ruined my hormone levels even further, did nothing to level out my hormone levels, and when I asked my gynecologist for a hormone test and bioidenticals, he literally laughed in my face and told me to just go off the Premarin for two months and see what happens. Then he said to come back and he would give me another “pill.” I have all the symptoms and more from the articles list.

I found another doctor, courtesy of a list at our local compounding pharmacy, and she read my list of problems, listened to what I had to say, never made fun of me, and sent me in for a complete blood work up. It took two weeks to get the results because of the extensiveness of the tests she ordered, and then another week for the pharmacy to compound the hormones into creams that I now use two times daily and I am living proof, and my husband will agree, that it was the best choice I have made since we married five plus years ago. I have energy, I am not hungry all the time, I don't nap anymore at all, I am not grumpy and in general I feel better all over.

I should have followed my instincts and insisted on bioidenticals over a year ago. The combination of the Premarin and the surgery have caused me to gain over 22 pounds in a year. I eat less now than I have in my entire life, and I am still working on losing the weight. It is not easy.

Every woman at several points in her life from the age of 16 and older should be given blood tests to check her hormone levels so that when menopause comes, doctors know what is "normal" for that woman and can correct her levels accordingly. I am sick and tired of the "guessing" that doctors do and the constant prescribing of medications they have no idea will really work. Doctors have pharmaceutical companies shoving the idea in medical school that the only things to cure anything are the pills they create and sell—phooey I say! I am living proof that that is not correct and they are wrong. I watch my friends suffer because they aren't told to get a blood work up by their gynecologist. Hormone levels play the biggest part in what goes on in a woman's life even during "depression" as discussed in that article.

I don't believe in pills for hormone treatment and I am very vocal about it. They are not specific to each woman's needs as the bioidenticals are. I hope that you will write an article on the benefits of bioidentical hormones. I am quite sure our compounding pharmacy's pharmacist could really enlighten your readers on the issue.

-Gwen Mangelson
Missouri

Thanks for Common Sense and Accurate Advice

Thank you so much for your common sense and accurate advice. I am 53 and menopausal. The first year after my periods stopped was very nearly unbearable, but today I'm fine.The only thing that works is healthy living, an understanding husband and time.

Kindergarten Children Bullying Gay Students?: I Don’t Think So
By Sonja Eddings Brown

Brava for speaking up on this obscene ridiculous gay-curriculum agenda in kindergarten early schools. It is another tool illustrating the insidiousness of and by and methods of the adversary “safe schools” legislation.

That sweet little innocent boy had to write his name on and sign that hideous revolting card. Forcing him to do that is a crime. Jacob would have a few words to say to these people. In fact he has already said to them: liken the scriptures. I need to talk about this with our school principal.

I love your words “children have the sacred right to be kids.” Hooray! Yay! Here, here! Brava again! Teaching them to be kind to everyone is more than enough.

-Maria Schmidt
Australia

Kindergartners Can Bully

If kindergarten children can bully playmates for being Mormon, and we've all seen it happen, then they can certainly bully other children for being effeminate, artistic or sensitive, and they do.

-Jerry Argetsinger Rochester, NY

I Was a Good Little Man
By Mariah Proctor

Opportunity to Study in Jerusalem Blessing for Whole Family

I was grateful that this article caught my attention as I was scanning through Meridian Magazine this morning. It was seeing the words, "Ancient Egypt lends a piece of wisdom that still applies today.” Actually, the reason this caught my attention, is because my son is also at the BYU Jerusalem Center studying. He had also mentioned this Ancient Near Eastern Studies midterm that Mariah wrote about.
This awesome opportunity for him has been a blessing to our entire family as our son has kept us up on his adventures and impressions through fabulous e-mails. I couldn't help but smile thinking Mariah has felt similar amazing feelings and insights as my son has due to having the "once in a lifetime" experience of being in the Holy Land and drinking in all that is there to appreciate. What a blessing. Thank you for including Mariah's article in your magazine today; it made my day.

-Judy Sheffield

Thanks to Author for Sharing Intelligence, Honesty and Compassion

I don't often make comments about articles on any Web site, but I feel strongly that I want to tell you how much I'm enjoying Mariah's contributions to Meridian, especially today's—“I Was a Good Little Man.” Her intelligence, honesty and compassion come through loud and clear. Please give her my thanks.

-Judy Wright
Quincy, Calif.

Author Helps Reader to See and Think

I had read quite a few columns by Mariah before finding out that it is a column for the "young" people. I am glad I did not notice that. I am totally not young. However, I have enjoyed looking through her eyes at life. She certainly has this DNA of helping you see and think.

-Linda Powell
Editors Note: It is a column for us all from the perspective of the young.

Looking Forward to Performance

My granddaughter is named Mariah. I enjoyed your article. Our family looks forward to seeing you perform.

-Anonymous

Satan’s Subtle Attack Upon Our Identity
By Maurine Proctor

Scriptures the Perfect Antidote for Adversary’s Attacks

This article was so well written. These concepts are eternal, in that one can never hear them often enough. I turn to the quoted scriptures often when I'm feeling especially down or overwhelmed. I find them to be the perfect antidote for the attacks the adversary hurls at me. Thanks for your reminder of that.
-Anonymous
Thank you, Sister Proctor, for this beautiful and timely article. It filled me with confidence. I often feel discouraged because of the moral decay that is becoming so accepted in our world......Your article made me remember the great words..."there are more of us than there are of them". This is a mighty war and the opposition often seems to win battles but we aren't at the end yet.

Mary Ann Kershisnik
Centerville, UT

What an excellent essay. God bless you for writing it. I will share it with my wife and children. I'm also going to use it in a talk.

Wonderful, wonderful doctrine and observations.

Sincerely,

Lance Hamner

I just had to write and tell Maurine, this surely was one of the most brilliantly written articles that I have read in a very long while. The message is vital and strikes chords in my mind that cause me to resolve to bind myself more securely with my eternal roots.

Thank you for the awakening...

Sincerely Priscilla Owen

Thank you so much, Sister Proctor, for this article. It was exactly what I needed this morning! Meridian is such a wonderful gift to us all, thanks!
Peggy Snow Cahill

Nephi's Killing of Laban: Could Satan Deceive Nephi?
From FAIR, the Foundation for Apologetic Information and Research

Commandments at Times are Transgressed

I was reminded of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Though commanded not to partake of the fruit of good and evil, Eve learned that the only way to multiply and replenish the earth and to exercise agency between good and evil, not just for herself, but for all of mankind, was to partake of the fruit.

There are times when commandments not do something are,for rare and specific purposes,transgressed. The transgression is not a reversal of a commandment for all of us, but for a wise purpose known to God.The results of those transgressions, however, are for all of us, to bless and benefit us, not for a moment, but for our entire journey of mortality. I for one would not want to live without free agency, families, and the scriptures from those plates.

Could Satan deceive Nephi? Did Satan deceive Eve? She spoke directly to him. When God's purposes are to be brought forth, His power to discern tells us what we should do. Neither Nephi nor Eve wanted to act in opposition to a commandment.They both ultimately obeyed a higher law of God. Again, I am so thankful they did. Thanks for a marvelous article.

-Lorene Torquato

Missionaries Receive Superior Medical Care
By Laura Hauck, assisted by Dr. Donald Doty

Thank you for Providing Comfort

Thank you for this insightful and informative piece. My husband and I are about to send our son out on his mission this month. As a mother, I am comforted to know of the concern for the health and well-being of all the missionaries serving. What a wonderful network.

-Sylvia Wright
California

Appropriate Recommendations Need to be Made

I appreciated Sister Hauck’s article and can concur with most of it. As senior missionaries serving in the Ghana Cape Coast Mission, we see the great efforts put in by our mission president’s wife in consultation with the current area doctor, Dr. Mark Stubbs, to keep our missionaries healthy. When there are no answers, the missionaries are sent home to get the medical treatment they need.

We were absolutely amazed this past Monday to receive an e-mail from our son serving in Guatemala, saying that he had a fever of 104 degrees for three days and had no medical treatment. We finally contacted him on Tuesday and found that they do not have a health nurse serving in the mission as they had before April and he had contacted the mission president’s wife who told him to keep doing what he was doing (taking Panadol) and he was advised not to see the doctor. It had now been five days with the fever and we told him we would get him money to go and get a blood test to find out what was wrong and buy appropriate medicine. He said that a new policy to save money had been implemented in his mission and the missionaries had to buy their own medications if they needed them. At this time, we can only worry as we do not know the outcome.

From our experience living in a third world country, this is not a very wise practice because the illnesses that the missionaries get can be so severe and dangerous with lasting effects. I hope this message can be passed on to Dr. Doty so he can look into the situation and make appropriate recommendations.

-Anonymous

Rescuing a Wayward Child through Love and Example
By Larry Barkdull

The Savior Has a Plan

Thank you for sharing your insight on such a deeply painful subject. We are in the throes of watching our precious 18-year-old son exercise his agency. We have shed many tears and petitioned many prayers in his behalf, along with fasting, too. Thank you for giving us the needed hope and reminding us that the Savior has a plan for our son and to trust Him and His atoning power.

-Ginger Dixon
Colorado

Chinese Farmer Market Key to Fresh, Delicious, and Nutritious Food
By Dian Thomas

It’s Good to Get Fresh Inspiration

This is my favorite Dian Thomas article yet. Thank you for sharing this part of the Chinese culture with us. I know I am trying to incorporate more of this type of fresh food into my family's diet. It's also good to get fresh inspiration. Thanks.

-Jennifer Fletcher