(Pete Hueseman, R.Ph, R.D.'s 16th visit to Power Surge) Mary: Pete, Dearest asked me to extend her apologies that she won't be able to host your guest chat tonight. Her 91 year old mother had a fall, has just had hip surgery and she's been at the hospital constantly to help care for her Mom. Dearest's guest tonight is Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D. Pete has been a Registered Pharmacist for 30 years. Although Pete is a registered pharmacist and dispense all sorts of prescription medications, he's focused his area of expertise on women's healthcare, and to naturally compounded, bioidentical hormones, such as estradiol, estriol, estrone, tri-estrogen, micronized progesterone, DHEA, testosterone, pregnenolone) Pete specializes in counseling patients and physicians on the use of natural hormones. He advises patients and physicians, nationwide, and is an acknowledged expert on the use of *natural* hormones or NHRT (natural hormone replacement therapy) Pete is professionally associated with NAMS, the Academy of Alternative Medicine, Alternative and Complementary Medicine Association, and is registered with more than one professional Pharmacist's Association. Pete also is co-owner of Bellevue Pharmacy Solutions. Pete, it's always a pleasure to welcome you back to Power Surge :) Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D.: I do know that Dearest is with her Mom, and I hope everything is going as well as possible. It is always a pleasure to be here. Mary: Pete, for those who aren't familiar with the differences between synthetic estrogens and progestins, and natural estrogen and progesterone, could you please explain it to our audience? Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D.: Natural or Bio-identical, or human identical means it is derived from a plant source, and most importantly the chemical structures of the hormones are identical to those secreted by the ovaries and adrenal gland. Therefore there are usually less side effects. KarrenB: The only symptoms I am having are night sweats. What should I start with? Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D.: KarrenB, I would start with a low to medium dose of Biest, in a sublingual tablet, and I can help you decide the strength of it, if you want to call me at work tomorrow, and we will go over your complete history. KarrenB: Where do I call and what is Biest? Mary: You can call Pete at 1-800-728-0288 or E.mail him at consultph@bpharmacysolutions.com Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D.: We are open 9 AM to 6 PM CST. Biest is 80% Estriol and 20% estradiol, both natural, bio-identical hormones. SuzHamee: I'm 50 and haven't had a period for 6 months I'm having hot flashes at night and I have anxiety and depression and mood swings. I'm not on HRT and I don't want to be. Do you think Revival Soy could help with these symptoms? Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D.: Yes, I would try the Revival, for a month or two, and if it helps then great, if not, then I would advise calling in to us, and we will guide you with a suggestion for natural bio identical HRT. Jac4532: I was told by a physician that using natural progesterone cream every day would be OK. I have been doing that for quite awhile. Am I creating a problem for myself? Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D.: I would say no problem, and since you have been doing it for sometime now, I assume you haven't noticed anything unusual? Jac4532: Nothing unusual. Mary: Good :) Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D.: Then keep up the good work. Mary: With regard to all the recent negative studies about combined synthetic (conjugated) estrogen and progestins, what impact, if any, do these studies have on the natural, plant-derived estrogens and progesterone? Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D.: The studies have helped business actually, for most women are switching over to the bioidentical, since going off totally makes the quality of life pretty rough. JeanC40: I have been on the Vivelle Dot .1 and compounded progesterone various forms for 3 years NOW they just found a 13cm fibroid on me so besides losing my estrogen which I need, I am surprised that I developed this because I thought meno helped to shrink fibroids and I never was told I had one before. To avoid surgery, I am actually thinking of taking synthetic progestins. Any advice? I've already cut my estrogen patch in half. I hadn't had a period in two years until these last two months. Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D.: Jean, this is a case where I would also recommend the stronger synthetic progestin for 2 to 6 months, and then switch back to the natural. JeanC40: Is any progestin not so rough on swelling? Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D.: Menopause generally does help shrink any fibroids, but maybe you had too much estrogen in the patch? All synthetics will cause some bloating and swelling, but remember to only use for a short time. Mary: There are many conflicting opinions about estrogen dominance. Many say, it's not estrogen dominance, but the fluctuations of hormones that cause menopausal symptoms. Can you share your thoughts on estrogen dominance, what it is and if/how it affects premenopausal women? Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D.: Estrogen dominance is a term coined by our late friend, Dr. John Lee, M.D. I prefer to call it hormone imbalance. The progesterone stops being produced first, and therefore there are symptoms of too much estrogen, but the estrogen slows down next, and if something is not done, then symptoms go crazy. This imbalance is very bad sometimes and causes great PMS. Mary: Thanks, Pete. Many women seem to be confused by that terminology. PittyPatt: I am 42 years old, in good health. My hair is thinning really bad. I am currently on 1000 mg micronized progesterone cream. Will this seem to help or do I need a stronger one? Will the progesterone cream help me? Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D.: I would say you need a test, (Saliva) and measure your Estradiol level along with progesterone and do it around day 21 of your cycle, then we will see if your estrogen and progesterone are low or not. I would imagine you need some natural estrogen to go along with the progesterone. I would not use a stronger cream until the test was complete, and we can sell you the test kit from Bellevue Pharmacy Solutions. Mary: Women on the message boards are often wondering about testosterone. When is it appropriate to include testosterone supplementation with natural hormone therapy, or could estrogen help the waning or lost libido in many pre and postmenopausal women? Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D.: Testosterone should be used if the levels test out low, and yes the natural estrogen can also help greatly with loss of libido. Marilu: What is the scientific basis for Dr. Lee's preoccupation with estrogen dominance other than the obvious? Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D.: I don't know of any scientific research that was done, just about 35 years of his practice and working with lots of PMS in the beginning, and then with menopause. Mostly just the obvious reasons. Marilu: To sell progesterone? Over the counter brands? Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D.: Yes, in the end that was his goal, but he did bring progesterone out of the closet, so to speak, for women. Now we know it works for many different scenarios of hormone imbalance, and in many different forms other than creams. Mary: Which do you find to be the most effective delivery system of natural hormones, such as orally, transdermal cream, gel, patch? Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D.: That depends on each individual woman, the sublingual tablet is excellent, and so is our long acting gel (duragel), the oil caps are next, then creams and suppositories. There are no progesterone patches as of yet. Mary: Why is that, Pete, that there are no progesterone patches? Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D.: Progesterone is a very large molecule, and the patch would be the size of your whole back area. We tried to make one about 4 years ago, and after spending about $30,000.00 in research, with very little success we dropped the project; and I was in charge of that. Mary: Oh, ok - thanks, Pete. That seems like a product that many women would love. Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D.: It was not too attractive at all. Deboc98: 49 year old and had a total hysterectomy three and half years ago and am presently taking Vivelle .1 mg patch and that barely holds my symptoms. My doc says taper after 5 years. Any suggestions? Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D.: We get this in patients all the time, and we usually suggest a Biest (possibly with some testosterone) in a sublingual tablet, and dissolve it under the tongue two times a day every 12 hrs. Dose to be determined after talking with you directly. At some point we will lower the dose, but I would expect you will need to be on the natural longer than 5 years. Marilu: I have read your area on this site and see that many women have good results with naturals. what studies have been done on the naturals vs the synthetics and are they really safer? Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D.: They seem to be safer, and no studies have been officially done. Anecdotally, we do get reports of less cancer victims, it seems. Mary: What do you recommend for women with vaginal dryness and/or sexual libido issues who don't prefer to use oral natural hormones? Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D.: We recommend lots of Alura, which increases blood flow to the sex organs, and enhances libido and orgasms. The Alura is of course OTC, and can be purchased by calling us at Bellevue Pharmacy Solutions. PittyPatt: I Have read Dr John Lee's book 5 times and have been studying natural hormone myself for over 4 years. I don't understand why you say that I might need estrogen. In all my reading I understand that estrogen dominance is the cause of all the problems of premenopause symptoms. I am not in meno yet. Why would I need estrogen when Dr. Lee preaches progesterone, progesterone, progesterone, I have always read that the last thing a perimeno women needs is more estrogen. Marilu: Nobody said Dr. John Lee was God. Disclaimer: Every guest in Power Surge is a highly respected professional whose opinions are his/her own. An appearance in Power Surge does not constitute an endorsement of a guest's views. None of these transcripts may be reprinted or reproduced without the express permission of Power Surge™ and the respective guest. Read other transcripts by returning to the Library. Dearest aka Alice Stamm Power Surge Founder, Facilitator, Host Copyright©1994- by Power Surge. All Rights Reserved.