SOLUTIONS FOR DISEASES OF MODERN CIVILIZATION
MAIN SITE DIRECTORY
Short Post Menopause Hormone Panel
Vaginal dryness and hot flashes.
This woman had not had a period in several years. Her current symptoms were vaginal dryness and hot flashes. So her doctor ordered a Short Post Menopause Hormone Panel (PHP1).
The doctor and I discussed her lab results. Her DHEA was low indicating long-term stress. Her testosterone, estrone, estradiol, and estriol were all normal or in the bio-identical hormone replacement therapy target range (the range of values for long-term tissue health). Her progesterone was indeed well below the bio-identical hormone replacement therapy target range.
Just because the estrogens are in the target range does not mean that all symptoms of estrogen shortage, like hot flashes and vaginal dryness, will disappear. We do see that raising progesterone to the target range often does help with hot flashes and vaginal dryness. If it does not in this case, we might need to give the patient a low dose of estrogen, probably Triest (all three).
So the first thing to do for this patient is to supplement her every day with sublingual progesterone to get that hormone up to the target range. If that does not take care of her symptoms, then the doctor might add Triest. Finally, the patient might consider addressing adrenal function and stress management by taking the Adrenal Stress Index (ASI).
Warm regards,
Dr. Mark Rhodes, Ph.D.
COMMENTS
If you have any comments, suggestions or questions, please CLICK HERE to e-mail me on this topic.
FREE NEWSLETTER
If you would like to subscribe to the "Dr. Mark Rhodes Newsletter," please CLICK HERE to e-mail me.
RESTRICTIONS ON USE AND DISTRIBUTION OF THIS MATERIAL
Please see our Terms of Service page for restrictions on use and distribution of this material.
Copyright 2001-2005 by Dr. Mark Rhodes, Ph.D. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.