“Hormone replacement skin products affect users’ pets, confound veterinarians” from the VIN News Service was posted by hormone expert, Andrea Duran, http://holyhormones.blogspot.com. See

http://news.vin.com/VINNews.aspx?articleId=15950.

Thank you, Andrea, for making us all aware! Animals exposed to their owners’ hormone replacement skin cream are having dramatic side effects… unintended medical consequences.

“Spayed dogs and young female puppies are showing up in veterinary exam rooms with markedly swollen vulvas as if they are in heat. Male dogs present with enlarged mammary glands and abnormally small penises. Animals of both genders experience fur loss.”

The phenomenon frequently stumps veterinary practitioners; sometimes patients go undiagnosed for weeks or months because clinicians don’t recognize the connection.

“The problem appears to stem from the use by pet owners of hormone replacement treatments in the form of lotions, gels or sprays that are applied to the arms — especially inner elbows and wrists — or legs. The users then handle and snuggle their animals, unwittingly transferring the drug to the pets.”

The same thing can occur with your children…

“A mother of two sons, Fox can’t help but wonder whether children, like pets, are being inadvertently exposed. ‘What if you’re, like, a grandmother holding a child up against you?’ she said.”

The article goes on to explain, “Such worries aren’t far-fetched. The FDA has documented cases of children being accidentally exposed to testosterone gels through contact with men undergoing male hormone replacement therapy. The men used topical hormone products on their shoulders, upper arms or stomachs.

The FDA publicized the adverse effects after it had confirmed eight cases in children ranging from nine months to five years of age. Symptoms included enlargement of the genitalia, development of pubic hair, advanced bone age, increased libido and aggressive behavior, according to the statement.”

Once the children no longer were exposed to the product, most signs and symptoms regressed, although in a few cases “enlarged genitalia did not fully return to age-appropriate size, and bone age remained modestly greater than the child’s chronological age,” the FDA news release states.

From my own personal awareness, I can tell you it works the same way with men too…

A few months ago I came across a gentleman who had severely elevated progesterone levels. Upon investigation, it was found that his significant other was applying progesterone cream to her inner arms at bedtime. Consequently, when they cuddled in the night, he too was being medicated by her topical progesterone. She then switched to applying the cream in the morning, which seemed to eventually alleviate the symptoms.

It has been eight years since I had my baseline Dexa Scan. Last week I had a repeat test for comparison, and I have been anxiously awaiting the results…for reasons I will explain.

Dexa stands for ‘Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry’. It is the most commonly used test for measuring bone mineral density. It is one of the most accurate ways to diagnosis Osteopenia or Osteoporosis.

I just received my results. Big sigh of relief: “Normal.” Why are these results very significant to me?

Back in 2004 is when I first started reading the teachings of noted hormone expert, Dr. John Lee, M.D. That was the very first time that I heard milk is bad for you. I read every book that Dr. Lee wrote, and I endorsed everything he taught…except I thought he was a little radical on his beliefs about drinking milk.

I can still hear his words, “Humans are the only animal on earth that drink another animal’s milk.”

All the men in the Lee family experienced early deaths – in their 40’s – due to heart attacks. Dr. Lee did not want to be one of them. He quit drinking milk in his very early years. Dr. Lee defied his family history. He lived into his 70s, a feat unheard of among the Lee men.

Though his argument was very compelling, all the public indoctrination about the terrible ramifications of not drinking milk instilled fear in me, and I continued to drink milk…and I made sure my family drank plenty of it as well.

I continued that practice until sometime later when I read Dr. Joel Fuhrman’s Disease Proof Your Child. Dr. Furman’s data could not be denied. I learned that I was the radical one, not Dr. Lee. I immediately stopped the practice of drinking milk.

Since then I have also read The China Study and heard the same message. The research studies are staggering.

Also, back in 2002 when I had my hysterectomy, my doctor told me to take a calcium supplement – 1,500 mg a day. Which one should I take? The literature about calcium supplements was very confusing. I researched all the various types of calcium. I found all sorts of pros and cons for each type – so I settled on a brand that contained all the various forms of calcium, hoping that I would hit upon the “right one.”

Somewhere along the way, I then read the studies that said supplements are not well absorbed, and the best source of calcium is from vegetables, particularly deep leafy greens. I pitched my supplements and substituted foo

In addition, I annually monitor my hormone levels and supplement with natural, bioidentical compounds for any areas that need help with balancing, such as progesterone cream supplementation.

Somehow in this country we have been indoctrinated to believe that if we don’t drink milk we are going to experience terrible osteoporosis. Perhaps the opposite is true? Check out the amount of calcium in the table below provided by http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=nutrient&dbid=45.

Note that there are only three sources cited as “excellent,” and all three are dark green leafy vegetables. The vegetables receive a higher rating than milk, which is listed as “very good.”

It is important for you to do your own investigation and do what feels right for you. However, please do take the time to investigate. The health of your bones and, consequently, your healthy longevity depend upon it.

“What do you mean hormone imbalance symptoms may happen so insidiously that women might not even know they are suffering needlessly? What kind of symptoms do they have? When does it happen?”

When I was asked these questions this morning, I took pause and really reflected on the ones that tend to sneak up on you – the ones that might leave you totally unaware. The ones that when finally addressed give you such energy and enthusiasm that many women simply become euphoric. Women who lost a part of themselves and didn’t even know when it showed up missing.

It happens oh, so slowly that you just assume it is because you are getting older. It is not until the neon light-life halting problems strike that you seek help in desperation.

What happens so subtly, so slowly over time?

One of the most subtle of symptoms is the feeling of being tired, fatigued, worn out, no energy, exhausted, just not as much enthusiasm as you once had. You feel old and flat. It takes so much more energy to trudge up those stairs. You don’t feel like playing with the kids or grandkids. You’d rather put on that comfy robe and sit in your chair.

The second is a feeling of depression. There is a feeling of sadness that invades your life. The zest for living is just not there. You shuffle through your days in the hope that things might be better tomorrow. Tomorrow comes, and it is more of the same. You know it’s not right, but you may feel too embarrassed to talk to your doctor about it. If you do, you can pretty much count on a prescription for an antidepressant. But why do you feel this way? When did this happen?

The third is the infernal inability to sleep – night after night. You are so exhausted. Surely you will sleep tonight. It has been so many nights since you last slept. In fact, how long has it been since you’ve had a good night’s rest? Can you remember? You might lay there, totally exhausted, but not able to fall asleep. You might fall asleep, but sure enough, there you are awake once again in the middle of the night. You do all the things the books say to make you sleep – and nothing works.

What if I told you that all these effects might be happening to you not because you are getting older? What if I told you there’s a very good chance you can invigorate your life, sleep at night, and feel fabulous and energized?

Well you can. It all starts with what I call the LOVE Method that can be found in my book Stop the Needless Suffering, The Complete Woman’s Guide to Balancing Your Hormones Naturally. See www.RosieBrownRN.com.

Stop the Needless Suffering tells you exactly how to:

L – Learn All You Can

O – Obtain Help (From a health care practitioner knowledgeable in bioidentical hormone balancing – which includes the sex hormones, the adrenal glands, and the thyroid)

V – Validate with Data (how and where to obtain testing to see what your lab values are)

E – Engage in an Action Plan that is Right for You

The bottom line to this discussion?

Oh, yes, you can feel better!

Prostate cancer is the number one cancer in men. Prostate enlargement is a major cause of problems in elderly men. It appears that a simple, safe inexpensive solution to prevent and treat prostate problems is the use of progesterone replacement.

Research has demonstrated that progesterone has the ability to prevent and reverse many cancers. The research also shows that estrogen, specifically estradiol, actually causes breast cancer and prostate cancer.

Men also make estrogen and estradiol, but in smaller amounts than women. Males also produce progesterone, although about half as much as females do.

The male hormone, testosterone, is antagonist to estradiol. Testosterone prevents estradiol from causing prostate cancer by destroying the prostate cancer cells it stimulates.

There appears to be some confusion about the role of testosterone. Testosterone does not cause prostate cancer. If this were the case, young males would be stricken with cancer as they have the highest testosterone levels.

Embryologically, the prostate is similar to the female uterus. When we think of “hormone imbalance, we tend to think of women. However, hormone balance in the male is just as important as in females. In the males, the prostate gland is affected by hormone imbalance.

How does hormone balance work in the male? Per Dr. Mercola’s explanation:

“As a male ages, his progesterone level decreases just like it does in women. In women this decease occurs about the age of 35 and men about ten years later. When progesterone levels decrease, the male’s 5 alpha reductase converts the testosterone to di-hydro testosterone which is useless at removing the prostate cancer cells that estradiol stimulates. Estradiol also stimulates the enlargement of the prostate. This allows the prostate gland to swell and enlarge and in many cases transform into prostate cancer.”

More simply stated, estradiol “turns on the cancer gene” and progesterone “turns on the anti-cancer gene.” In women, studies have demonstrated that breast cancer cells do not multiply when women are on progesterone.

Dr. Mercola further states, “I now believe that nearly all men should seriously consider natural progesterone replacement sometime in their 40s, or even earlier if they have a family history of prostate cancer. There is also a reasonable likelihood that this will decrease male balding. So, all the men who wish to retain what is left of their hair, I would start this immediately.”

My personal thought is that both men and women would be well served to have hormone testing prior to use of any hormones. In order to hit a target, one has to see what they are aiming for.

Progesterone can be purchased over the counter. It is important to recognize that progesterone is a hormone, and its indiscriminate use is not a wise or safe choice.

Home hormone test kits can be obtained from compounding pharmacies, some doctors’ offices, and various internet sites. The kits do not require a doctor’s order. I have found the most cost effec tive hormone test kit can be purchased from www.canaryclub.org.

For women, the usual dose of natural progesterone is about 20 mg per day from day 12 to 26. The dose of natural progesterone for men is about half that, or 10 to 12 mg per day. Unlike women, men can use progesterone without taking any days off.

Even though the above are customary doses, care needs to be individualized since people vary in the amount their body requires for effective treatment. Seek the advice of a health care practitioner knowledgeable in the field of bioidentical hormone balance.

I invite you to share the information in this article with all the men you know… and the women who love them.

Why do some females recover from brain injury much faster and more completely than males?

It seems the answer may be related to the neuroprotective effects of the hormone progesterone.

The benefits of maintaining a normal level of bioidentical progesterone (identical to what the body produces) is now well established in the care and treatment of women suffering the effects of hormone imbalance, most commonly seen around the time of menopause.

The research of neuroscientist Dr. Donald G. Stein and his colleagues provides a new dimension for the benefits of progesterone. Their research demonstrates  that neuroprotective effects of progesterone improve outcomes and reduce mortality following brain injuries.

Steins’ findings could also have far-reaching implications for the treatment of other neurological conditions such as central nervous system damage, stroke, spinal cord injury, and multiple sclerosis.

Per www.mercola.com in the December 26 issue:

“Progesterone provides powerful neuroprotection to the fetus, particularly in late pregnancy, when it helps suppress neuronal excitation that can damage delicate new brain tissue. Dr. Stein and his colleagues have found that in addition to protecting the fetal brain, progesterone also protects and heals injured brain tissue.”

The most significant progesterone effect appears to be the reduction in cerebral edema, or swelling of the brain.

Some additional benefits appear to be an anti-inflammatory response, the draining of excess fluid from the region of the injury, the prevention of the death of injured brain cells, protective and regenerative effects on myelin, the protective coating on nerve fibers, and decreasing the likelihood of seizures that accompany brain injury.

The bottom line of Stein’s research? Progesterone, the hormone responsible for the  neuroprotection of the fetus as well as the natural treatment for menopausal issues, has now been identified to potentially positively impact brain injury recovery. This finding opens the door to research potential benefits for other neurological conditions.

The effects of this remarkable hormone continue to get better and better.

The third and final section of The Edge Effect by Eric R. Braverman, MD, helps the reader to learn how to deal with specific illnesses or symptoms you may be experiencing, both in the brain and in the body. Braverman explains how your body ages and gives detailed instructions on what you can do to enhance brain function.  

One of the most powerful concepts taught in this section is the “Rainbow Diet.” Up to this point he has clearly demonstrated through data and case studies just how powerful diet is – and just what foods you need to include to relieve specific symptoms and diseases from which you suffer. The striking fact is that you have such power and control of your brain and body health with diet alone.

The key to good brain and body health is to keep all four natures in balance:

“The basic nature diet strategy to remember is that dopamine is boosted by high-protein diet with fruit sugars; eggs, caviar, sardines, fish oils, and olive oil all raise acetylcholine. GABA is increased with vegetables, and serotonin is boosted by poultry and complex carbohydrates.”

Braverman’s Rainbow Diet incorporates all the different colors of the rainbow – red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet – into the meals that you consume.

“Foods with a variety of colors have different nutrients, and no one supplement is equal to all the great nutrients you can get from fresh foods.”

A rainbow has seven colors and not one of them is white, hence the advice to avoid foods made from white flour such as pasta, white rice, bread, salt, and sugar.

Braverman demonstrates a case study in which he placed a patient on the Rainbow Diet as well as a nutrient program consisting of fish oils, evening primrose oil, niacin, and the hypertension multivitamin that he sells. In three weeks his cholesterol fell from 234 to 130. His blood pressure normalized at 120/70. Six weeks later he had a cholesterol of 114, and his blood pressure dropped further. Pretty amazing results.

The remainder of the chapters in this final section address what to do for specific symptoms and disease processes, how to improve your memory, how to modify negative aspects of your nature, and how to “master the edge effect for lasting health.”

The overriding takeaway from Braveman’s work for me is the realization of how much power we each have from basic tools that we take for granted…diet, lifestyle, environment, and hormone balancing.

Back to the original complaint that led to the writing of this series of articles was the #1 complaint that bring women to Dr. Gabhart…a problem with memory cognition. Now we know there are simple tools we can employ to fix that problem for good. Thank you for helping all of us, Dr. Braverman.

This series of brain chemistry articles began with the identification of the number one complaint that women voice when coming to see Dr. Gabhart: loss of mental cognition.

The work of Dr. Eric R. Braverman, author of The Edge Effect, clearly shows us that we are able to keep our brain in tip top condition. Today’s article begins the review of exactly how we do that.

Answering a series of true-false questions found in the book demonstrated that my dominant nature is acetylcholine nature.  Part II of his book is divided into four chapters, each chapter detailing specific information on how to strengthen the four individual natures.

Dr. Braverman suggests to first turn to the chapter for your individual nature. Since mine is acetylcholine, I will use it as an example so you can get a feel for the type of advice that is given.

Right off the top, it is uncanny to read pages of information that absolutely nails my personality. How on earth did his test do that? The personality profile he details is right on target for me.

Likewise, his description of how I feel when I have too much acetylcholine vs when I am out of balance and have acetylcholine deficiency is also staggering. The description is perfectly descriptive of how I feel in each of those conditions.

Dr. Braverman lists acetylcholine-related symptoms and the medical conditions that can and will occur if the deficiency is left unchecked. The second part of the chapter details what I can do to balance my acetylcholine nature.

It is comforting to read precise instructions on what I can do to maintain balance in my acetylcholine nature in each of the following six categories:

1)      Hormones

2)      Supplements

3)      Diet

4)      Vitamins and supplements

5)      Lifestyle

6)      Environment

My test scores did not indicate any current deficiency. However, if there had been deficiency, Dr. Braverman also supplies specific guidance for medications and electrical  treatment in addition to information in the above listed categories.

The same instructional guidance is given for the other three natures: dopamine, GABA, and serotonin. The next article in the series will address the “deficient nature” and how that plays into your overall balance.

The twenty-minute profile, the “Braverman Nature Assessment” found in his book, The Edge Effect,  created quite a revelation for me this weekend.

The premise behind Dr. Braverman’s work is that the combination of the biochemicals dopamine, acetylcholine, GABA, and serotonin controls how you think, how you feel, and how you behave.

“Your dominant biochemical, which is the one your brain produces in the greatest quantity, governs the other three. Identifying your dominant biochemical, and in turn your dominant nature, is the key to self-discovery.”

Even more intriguing is the following assertion:

“It is also important to know which biochemicals you are lacking, or not producing in sufficient quantities. These deficiencies are the direct causes of many medical problems. Knowing how to restore either your dominant nature or your secondary natures is the way to begin regaining your edge.”

Answering a series of true-false questions found in the book demonstrated that my dominant nature is acetylcholine nature and my most deficient nature, the one that is most likely to lead to illness, is serotonin deficiency.

Braverman’s testing reflects minor, moderate, or major deficits.  

“Minor deficits are the early warning signs of health problems. Minor and Moderate deficits can be treated without medications and usually respond to a combination of natural/nutritional, hormonal, and lifestyle changes.”

“Major deficits warrant medical treatment and should be addressed immediately. These conditions most likely require medications; nutritional, hormonal, and lifestyle changes are usually not enough to address them.”

Once you complete your personal assessment, the first step is to recognize and enhance your dominant nature through nature-specific programs, which Braverman outlines. Once you have completed this component for your dominant nature, the next step is to begin to get your most deficient nature into balance.

The remainder of the book focuses on showing us how to optimize our dominant nature, reverse any deficiencies, and keep the four neurotransmitters balanced for lasting health. Learn more about these segments in the next article.

I will never forget my very first hormone balancing class and the look on one participant’s face as she slowly enunciated each of the following words with utter disbelief: “Rosie Brown, (long pause), I cannot believe you are up there talking to us about vaginal dryness.” I could feel my cheeks getting pink. However, the old cliché fit: Somebody’s gotta do it. Might as well be me.

  Women and, consequently, their families are suffering—needlessly. I can’t tell you the number of women who shyly follow me out of classrooms to seek information about vaginal dryness. They suffer in silence, too embarrassed to discuss the topic with their husbands or their gynecologists—as if they did something wrong.

 To make matters worse, sometimes their partners, sensing the lack of vaginal lubrication, make comments such as, “I can’t turn you on anymore,” or “You’re just not excited about me anymore.” How humiliating and disempowering. There is a physiological reason for the lack of lubrication and the pain, one that that can be completely and easily eliminated. Recall that vaginal dryness is known to be a symptom of sex hormone imbalance as well as thyroid imbalance.

 So strong is my conviction that today I will talk to anyone at any time at any place about this topic, no longer with pink cheeks. I once heard a vivacious middle aged speaker make the following statement: “There is nothing that an eighteen-year-old’s got that I can’t have fixed!” The audience erupted in laughter. I can personally assure you that vaginal “dryness” (aka, pain with intercourse) is one of these instances.

 From personal experience, I learned that there are all sorts of slicky, slidy lubricants on the market, designed to be inserted at the time of lovemaking . . . that don’t work. I have two comments about those products: 1) They are embarrassing to use, and 2) They do not decrease the pain. Chances are lack of moisture isn’t the only problem. The pain with intercourse may be due to atrophy of the vaginal tissue. However, there are a number of other conditions than can result in vaginal dryness, including candida which is very common today, largely due to our high sugar, processed foods diet, coupled with a decline in normal bacterial flora.

 The bottom line is this: there is a physiological reason for what is happening in your body, and you and your health care provider can do something about it. I first learned of bioidentical estriol vaginal cream from a compounding pharmacist. Estriol is felt to be the weakest and safest estrogen and is absolutely wonderful for restoring the vaginal tissue. Unlike progesterone, it does require a doctor’s prescription. Estriol can be applied as a transdermal cream to the skin or inserted as a vaginal cream. When using the vaginal cream, a tiny amount is inserted two to three nights a week—at times of your convenience. There is no longer a need to interrupt love making to insert lubricant. Yes, this is one problem you can quickly fix.