Dearest:  It is my pleasure to welcome Dr. Jean Rodgers back to Power Surge!
 Among her many wonderful accomplishments, Jean earned her Ph. D. in 
pharmaceutical chemistry which makes Jean an expert on hormonereplacement 
therapy. Jean is also here as a representative of  PETA  animal 
rights organization.
		
	
Dearest:   Jean, would you like to say a few words before we begin?


Dr. Jean Rodgers:  Actually, dearest, I trained in new drug design and specialized in 
cancer risk assessment, so I feel like an expert in these areas of HRT.  


Italianjj:  How long do you have to take hormone replacement therapy 
(HRT)?  


Dr. Jean Rodgers:  Italian, that very much depends on what symptom or disease
you are trying to cure.  That is a big confusion about HRT.  Treating hot flashes 
is very different from treating osteoporosis.


Italianjj:   Does it cause high blood pressure?


Dr. Jean Rodgers:  Low doses should not increase blood pressure. 


AnIceAngel:	My mother had breast cancer and the doctor linked it to Premarin.
I am afraid to use HRT because of that, but feel I need it.  Your opinion?  


Dr. Jean Rodgers:  If you have a strong history of breast cancer, I would be very 
concerned about HRT for controlling hot flashes.  HRT does increase the risk 
of breast cancer.  It stimulates the tissues acting as a promoter.  I would try 
phytoestrogens, etc., as a first line of defense.  


AnIceAngel:  I would not be taking it for hot flashes, but for hemorrhaging 
and periods that occur twelve days apart.


Dr. Jean Rodgers:   Taking HRT very early would be a concern for breast cancer.  


Nancy2Nyc:  I am starting PremPro, one per day, beginning tomorrow.  What is your 
knowledge of this brand?


Dr. Jean Rodgers:  Well, Nancy, you may want to read my materials from my 
previous visit.  As an animal rights person I have more concerns with this 
drug than I do as a scientist.  


Dearest:  Nancy, PremPro is made by the same people who make Premarin, 
Wyeth-Ayerst.


Ekwray:    What is the advantage of taking estratest rather than simply estrogen (estrace)?


Dr. Jean Rodgers:  Estratest has testosterone in it as well as a combination of
estrogens.  Estrace is a single estrogen, estradiol.  One is better for some 
people and the other is better for others.  


VE4MA:  It's not good to take Estrogen alone is it?  We want to take progestin 
also?  Are synthetics as good as Premarin which I know comes from the 
mares' urine? 


Dr. Jean Rodgers:  Whether you take estrogen alone depends on whether you have a 
uterus.  The progestin protects the uterus from endometrial cancer.  Synthetics 
is a loaded term.  I believe the semi-synthetics derived from plants are better 
than Premarin because they are purer drugs of fixed composition.  


RoMaGraves:  Should I use HRT to help prevent heart disease and osteoporosis 
even if I am menopausal and the symptoms are fairly mild?


Dr. Jean Rodgers:  Roma, preventing heart disease and osteoporosis may be 
legitimate uses of HRT.  However, these uses should not be tangled in with hot 
flashes.  Use for osteoporosis should be weighed against other osteoporosis drugs 
like Fosamax.  The same is true for heart disease.  In both cases, this may mean 
taking estrogens later in life versus all the way from perimenopause until death.  


Sunny93003:	What are the side effects of HRT? 


Dr. Jean Rodgers:   Many of the side effects, bloating and breakthrough bleeding, are
related to the progestin in combination therapies.  I would also say that increased 
breast cancer risk for long term use is another serious consideration. 


SKolling:	My doctor prescribed Premarin for me eleven years ago when I had a 
hysterectomy; and he said I was good for life at the low maintenance dosage.  
Can I continue?   I feel great. 


Dr. Jean Rodgers:  A lot depends on your personal medical history, SK, and whether 
you still need estrogens to feel great.  It is really important for women to not 
let the medical community run chronic disease prevention together with 
menopause treatment and just leave us on HRT without thinking about what 
they are doing.  There should be a specific reason at all times as to why we 
are being prescribed HRT.  


Linda Lou5:	I have endometriosis. Should I avoid HRT and let nature take its 
course to end that problem?  I am perimenopausal and I take herbs and vitamins 
for relief.  The doctor has told me that the endometriosis will go away with 
menopause.


Dr. Jean Rodgers:  Linda, you should seek specific treatment for your endometriosis.  
I went through that also when I was in my 30's and had minor surgery that made 
all the difference in the world.  


MargieTole:	I am 43, and I have no children. My cycle has shortened over 
the last two years, I have very heavy flows and hot flashes that are manageable.  
Should I take HRT?  I am concerned because of family heart problems and 
diabetes that I do not have yet.


Dr. Jean Rodgers:   Have you ever taken birth control pills?


MargieTole:	Yes, but I only took them for six months because they made my 
blood pressure go up. 


Dr. Jean Rodgers:   Remember these are also estrogens, and at far stronger doses 
than the estrogens used in HRT.  Diabetes and heart disease are linked and 
should be taken into account with your doctor in deciding what to do about 
HRT.  It may argue more strongly for HRT.  You may have fewer problems on 
HRT because of the lower doses.


SGETT:   I am currently on Loestrin and it is working for regulating period 
and amount of flow.  I feel great for three weeks and then comes the fourth 
week off the pills and I get antsy.  Do you have any suggestions?  I have begun 
a vitamin regiment, and I am hoping these help. 


Dr. Jean Rodgers:  How old are you?


SGETT:	47


Dr. Jean Rodgers:  Has your gynecologist looked at the possibility of perimenopause 
and taken this into account?  You are in an age range where you will need to 
pay close attention to your symptoms and what is working for you.  Sometimes 
you have to persist with gynecologists.  They do not always listen too well.  


Italianjj:  I do not like to take estrogen.  I want to stop.  When can I stop 
because I feel crummy.  I had a hysterectomy in 1991.  Is there an alternative 
to HRT?


Dr. Jean Rodgers:   You can try easing off and seeing if you get hot flashes.  
Please work with your gynecologist on this.   Alternatives include progesterone 
creams and lots and lots of tofu and vitamin E.  


JoyBoone:   Tested last week, but I do not have the results.  My problem is 
no desire.  What HRT might I take?


Dr. Jean Rodgers:   You sound like a great candidate for estratest!  That stuff sure 
charged me up! 


CAJASS:   I am confused.  Are you are saying if I have a uterus I should not 
take estrogen alone? 


Dr. Jean Rodgers:  Basically, yes.  There are some tricky tests that can fine
tune this, but the risk of endometrial cancer for estrogen alone is just 
enormous.  It is not worth the risk.  


HUBSER:   I am a DES daughter and I have no kids.  My periods stopped 
abruptly three years ago at age 42.  I was on HRT, but could not get the 
dosage right, and I finally I stopped taking them.   The hot flashes and 
mood swings are very infrequent now, but I am very concerned about 
osteoporosis.  What is your advice? 


Dr. Jean Rodgers:  Ask your doctor about alendronate sodium (trade name Fosamax).  
It is better than HRT for osteoporosis.  


Martha162:   What is the connection between micro calcifications on mammograms and 
breast cancer? Should I be excessively concerned at 48?


Dr. Jean Rodgers:  I have not checked this one out in the scientific literature, but 
my first reaction is no.  


TOYAIM:   I had a total thyroidectomy and partial parathyroidectomy. I skipped 
two periods and blood tests showed I am post menopausal.  I also have a fibroid 
and I am overweight.  One doctor says I should have a hysterectomy and then 
go on estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) and another says wait and see.  I 
am confused.


Dr. Jean Rodgers:  Toy, you have quite a medical history to unravel.  First, you 
have other hormone imbalance problems.  Second, you know you need to 
deal with the weight to lower heart disease risk.  However, so many women 
have fibroids and they tend to get better after menopause.  I would tend to 
be very conservative about this before I let a physician get me under the knife.  


GHARVANEK1:   I am 38 and in surgically induced menopause. I am on Estratest 
and really struggling with weight gain, but I am afraid at this Young age to go 
menopause because of osteoporosis, heart disease, etc., down the road.  When 
would it be a good age to do it 	and what other things could I try instead 
of ERT? 


Dr. Jean Rodgers:  If you have surgically induced menopause, you probably need 
estrogens at least until you stabilize.  Once you reach the age where the hot 
flashes, etc., would be tapering off, you might be able to stop HRT until you 
need it again at a later age, if you go that route for heart disease and 
osteoporosis.  I can not repeat enough that you have to treat each disease 
separately, not just run HRT for life.  


RoMaGraves:   Where, besides soy, can you get significant amounts of
phytoestrogens?


Dr. Jean Rodgers:  There is a whole growing market on phytoestrogen tablets.  
Just be sure that what you are buying actually works.  Eat lots of tofu!  


LSunder895:   I had a total hysterectomy at 28; and two years later I am on 
the patch, but still suffer from hot flashes, insomnia, weight gain and high 
blood pressure.  I can not take a higher dosage because of endometriosis 
and migraine headaches.  Do you have any suggestions?  


Dr. Jean Rodgers:   A hysterectomy at 28 is a bummer.  I would encourage you to 
try dietary controls.  Dearest has had lots of experts in these areas.  You may 
want to browse the  library in 
Power Surge.  


Dearest:   Jean, if a woman was absolutely determined to take HRT, would 
you recommend one over another? If so, which?  Any other recommendations 
for someone who is determined to take HRT?  


Dr. Jean Rodgers:  Each HRT is a little different from the next, but I would give first 
consideration to Estrace because it is a single pure drug that replaces only the
deficient estrogen of menopause, estradiol.  As a second bet, I would look to 
Estratab because it is a complex blend of estrogen, also pure, that may help 
some women who can not deal with the fluctuating blood levels from a single 
estrogen.  I do not want to say that the other HRT  medications have no merit.  
It is a matter of individual choice, what is cheapest, and what is available.


Norlee:   I did HRT for one year, and my endometriosis is back.  I felt 
awful, worried, broke my wrist, am depressed and tired, fat, and antisex.


Dr. Jean Rodgers:  How long ago Norlee, and what age are you?


Norlee:   I am 54 3/4 now and this was four years ago.


Dr. Jean Rodgers:   How are you feeling now?


Norlee:   All of the above plus I have flashes that are not as bad as then.


Dr. Jean Rodgers:  Then maybe you should reconsider taking HRT.  You might also 
want to have a scan for bone loss because HRT is not the best way to go for 
osteoporosis.  Antisex suggests looking at an HRT with testosterone.  (It is 
a real trip!)


Norlee: I do not want to go through  pain again.


Postrain:  What can one do about adrenal distress at this time, if there 
are many symptoms and not on HRT? 


Dr. Jean Rodgers:  Sounds like you are talking about the same things as the DHEA 
folks.  You may want to link up with them and see if it is a good fit.


SStot:    What is your opinion regarding saliva testing for hormone levels 
and progesterone skin cream? 


Dr. Jean Rodgers:  I have not really looked into saliva testing.  As for the skin
creams, some women swear by them, and there is no reason they cannot work.  
They are not cheap and you need to be sure that you are getting a cream that 
actually contains a lot of progesterone in it.  The main problem then is that it is 
very difficult to control the dose you are receiving.  


Dearest:  Read the newsletters in the Reading Room.  
They are loaded with information about natural progesterone.   


CAJASS:  I am 38 and I am three years into perimenopause.  The hot flashes 
are almost gone.  I have bad mood swings and horrible headaches when the 
estrogen level  plummets.  My doctor wants to augment with  estrogen in a 
small amount.  You say no.  Any suggestions?


Dr. Jean Rodgers: CAJ, 38 is very young to be in menopause.  What is your 
medical history?


CAJASS:   My mom was 37 and my sister was 35 at menopause.  I am healthy, 
otherwise.  I have no other medical history. 


Dr. Jean Rodgers:   What about family breast cancer?


CAJASS:	   None.


Dr. Jean Rodgers:   Then you may want to consider HRT, but I would be sure I had a 
really good doctor and even a second opinion because you are starting very 
young.  


RoMaGraves:   If HRT is not the best thing for osteoporosis, then what is?  


Dr. Jean Rodgers:  HRT only retards bone loss.  Fosamax will actually assist in 
restoring lost bone.  


CYurkiewic:   What is your thought on HRT taken for more than 10 years? 


Dr. Jean Rodgers:  HRT should be prescribed for a reason.  If there is a good
reason and no history of breast cancer, then ten years is okay.  If it is just 
being prescribed because it is "good for you" this is not a legitimate reason.  
If we want to prevent osteoporosis and heart disease, then we should not just 
blend this use of HRT into hot flash prevention.


AliBartlet:   Two things I have noticed since menopause:  poorer hand-eye 
coordination and forgetfulness.  Is this common?


Dr. Jean Rodgers:  I have never heard about the hand-eye thing.  Forgetfulness is a 
complaint of some menopausal women. 


Blast 8:  I am 46 years old with irregular periods.  My  hormone levels are 
normal.  I  have insomnia.  Do I need prempro?


Dr. Jean Rodgers:  Well, Blast, if you read about my last appearance, you will
understand why I do not believe anyone needs Prempro (horse abuse problem), 
but you may need to take HRT.  There are many choices other than Prempro.  
One should not suffer through menopause.  


LdyJane886:   Does Prempro have testosterone in it?  I am still so tired all the 
time.  Can menopause cause this?


Dr. Jean Rodgers:  No, Prempro is (excuse me) horse urine and progestins.  It does 
not have testosterone.  


MAHShick:  I am 49 years old and one year of menopause.  I feel healthy but 
there is no sex drive.  HELP!


Dr. Jean Rodgers:  Run, do not walk to your gynecologist and have a talk about 
estratest!  Basically, it is a combination estrogen tablet (estratab) very similar 
to Premarin and it contains testosterone as well.  That testosterone can sure 
make a big difference for some women with little sex drive.  For others, 
it can drive them up the wall.  It is not for everyone.


MAHShick:   Do not want to gain weight!


Dr. Jean Rodgers:  MAH, weight gain and menopause go together.


Dearest:   Jean, I overheard two doctors talking about magnesium.  Since 
you are a chemist, they used the expression "if it spasms, treat it with 
magnesium" about palpitations and headaches.  Can you enlighten us, 
please?  I take 500 mg per day.


Dr. Jean Rodgers: Sorry, dearest, I have not heard that one, so I can not help.  


RoMaGraves:  Do you think DHEA is a reasonable alternative to HRT?  


Dr. Jean Rodgers:  Some women I have talked to absolutely swear by DHEA and 
I suspect it may be a reasonable alternative to HRT.  The main thing with 
alternative therapies is to be sure that the drug you are taking has been 
adequately tested to demonstrate that it actually works.  Again, remember 
with DHEA that the manufacturers are talking about hot flashes, not 
osteoporosis or heart disease.  


D Wintrode:   I am a member of CRAFT; feeling better now that I am on the 
Estraderm patch, but I am still having hot flashes at .5mg.  Should I increase 
the dose or try DHEA for more estrogen?


Dr. Jean Rodgers:  How long have you been taking the estraderm?


D Wintrode:   I have been taking it for three weeks.


Dr. Jean Rodgers:   Give it some more time, DW, like 3-4 months.  The patch is an 
excellent form of HRT, but it takes a while to build up the dose.  


MAHShick:   Is there another solution besides estratest?  Exercise? Vitamins?  
Certain foods?  I just have a hard time with taking a drug when I otherwise feel 
great.


Dr. Jean Rodgers:   What are we fixing?  Lack of libido?  Exercise, vitamins, and 
foods high in phytoestrogens and calcium should be part of the diet for a 
menopausal woman's approach to having a healthy lifestyle.  We need all the 
help we can get as we get older to prevent the diseases that can kill us.  No 
one should rely on drugs along to solve her health problems.


Norlee:	 Silly me, but I do not know what DHEA is.  Could you define it?


Dearest:  There is a whole newsletter devoted to DHEA.  E-mail me if you 
want directions to the reading room.


Dr. Jean Rodgers:  It is another hormone.  I suggest looking at Dearest's newsletters.


CAJASS:   What about cold flashes? 


Dr. Jean Rodgers:  That's what I had, CA.  I used to drown the bed every night.  
My gynecologist read my FSH test and told me it was all in my mind.  If 
you feel rotton and suspect perimenopause, persist and get relief whether 
it is from HRT or alternative medications.  FSH is follicular stimulating 
hormone, a test they use to see if you are producing estradiol.


Mopsidot: I just started having hot flashes.   Do I need  medications? 
What are the alternatives?


Dr. Jean Rodgers:  There are lots of alternatives, Mops.  You should browse the 
Power Surge Library for tons of suggestions.  If you do need HRT for hot 
flashes, however, that is okay, too.  Women need to make their own 
decisions about their bodies.  Do not just take your gynecologist's word 
as the gospel.  


NLGarr:   Have you discussed the relationship between estrogen therapy and 
breast cancer?  Did I miss it?


Dr. Jean Rodgers:  NLG, there is no free ride with HRT.  We cannot be forever young 
without also accepting a risk of breast cancer.  HRT stimulates breast cancer 
tissue (all of you taking HRT need only look at your nipples to understand this).  
Increased turnover of breast cancer tissue means that there is an increased 
risk of breast cancer.  The evidence is clear that estrogen is a promoter of 
breaster of breast cancer.  This is the only chemical listed by the International 
Agency for Research in Cancer as a "Class A" (proven) human carcinogen 
that is being touted by physicians as a cure-all.  We must understand this 
as weomen and weigh our individual risks versus the benefits that estrogens 
also provide in terms of heart disease and osteoporosis prevention.  
These are the only reasons for taking HRT more than a year or two.


Dearest:  Jean, why are some doctors saying that HRT actually
prevents breast cancer?  Are you aware they are doing this to us?  


Dr. Jean Rodgers:  It is because they have been brainwashed.  The evidence 
clearly shows an increased risk of breast cancer.


Biggy825:   Who is doing the most current research on overactive sexual 
drive in menopause? Will this have any effect on glaucoma?


Dr. Jean Rodgers:  Sorry, Biggy, I do not know of any large surveys.  My sampling 
is personal.  


Wagsy2:   What effects should I be aware of when taking Eleavil and the 
new diet pills phenophne?


Dr. Jean Rodgers:  I would have to research this Wagsy.  If you want, E-mail me 
and I will get back to you.  


EBRFO:   Have you heard of using Mexican Yam cream for the signs and 
symptoms of menopause?


Dearest:  Please read the  Newsletters as there is a wealth 
of information about Yam cream in them. 


Dr. Jean Rodgers:  Yes, EB, there are lots of creams on the market and many of 
them work just fine.  As dearest just said, check the reading room to be sure 
you are getting your money's worth.  They are not cheap and you want to be 
sure you are getting something that will work.



Cats30eyes:  What studies are best used for references?


Dr. Jean Rodgers:   The most meaningful information is coming from the Nurses 
Health Study, which is a very large group.  This is also the source of information 
on HRT and heart disease. When we read these studies we must always be 
aware that they are not conducted in isolation and we must always be sure 
that they are large enough to prove what they are saying.  The Nurses health 
study, in my opinion, is the best data to date on HRT.


Postrain:   With reference to your previous answer, what changes in nipples 
do you mean? 


Dr. Jean Rodgers:  This would be a single observation, but on HRT, mine quit 
expanding and looking gross and went back to the way they looked before 
menopause.  


LDejr:   I went through menopause at age 29.   I am now 34 and I am on Prempro. 
My doctor says the pros outweigh the cons.  Am I doomed to breast cancer?


Dr. Jean Rodgers:   LD, this very much depends on your personal history.  Remember 
that you would have had these hormones in your body until you were about 50.  
Around this time, you might want to consider weaning yourself off HRT.  Tat 
would greatly reduce your risk of breast cancer.


LDejr:	 How common is menopause before age 30?


Dr. Jean Rodgers:  It is not that common LD, although I do not have actual numbers 
in front of me.


Dearest:  Jean, why do you suppose we hear of so many young women going 
through menopause these days?  I mean really young women in the 20's and 30's.


Dr. Jean Rodgers:  Dearest, maybe their physicians are too quick with the knife.


LdyJane886:   Does it have anything to do with tubal ligation at an young age?


Dearest:  Must be something societal, Jean. I have never seen so many 
young women in menopause come to Power Surge.


Dr. Jean Rodgers:  I really have not checked out the issue of very early menopause, 
but women do not normally go through menopause in their 20's and 30's.  That 
is a really tough thing for them.



Dearest: Jean, thanks so much for joining us tonight and enlightening
us about HRT, menopause and PETA's stance on Premarin. We hope you'll return very soon.


Dr. Jean Rodgers: Enjoyed it. Hope to see you all again. Thank you.



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aka Alice Stamm
Power Surge
Founder, Facilitator, Host


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