By: J. Arnold Md

J. Arnold Md — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 23:08:10 +0000

The women’s health initiative was not about “hormone replacement” as a general intervention. The only drugs involved were prempro. This is not an appropriate drug to use for real HRT. Women never made “provera” or equine congegated estrogens. So the idea of “replacing” them is absurd. The only “replacement ” proticals that have any conceptual validity are ones that involve Biologially eqivelent “PROGESTERONE” and Human bioeqivelent Estrogens. “Replacement” I believe refers to putting back in to the body what has been lost in a manor that restores funtion lost or diminished by depletion.
As a psychiatrist I know that SSRIs have an important role in Psychiatric illness. Before initiating treatment symptoms thought to be caused by hormonal imbalances should be evaluated by acurate monitoring of symptoms and obtaining hormone levels during the luteul phase or at times when hormonal alterations are suspected. If alterations are identified I believed we should attempt to restore balance prior to intiating treatment with SSRIs or other agents which will likely bring additional side effect burden.
Are any Psychiatrists out there using this type of approach to treat Women in their practices?

Comments on: Paroxetine CR May Be Helpful for Menopausal Women Discontinuing Hormone Therapy

By: J. Arnold Md