Alternatives to Hormone Replacement Therapy

No subject has raised as much concern among menopausal women in recent years as Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). HRT, which consists of estrogen or combined estrogen-progestin therapy, has been widely prescribed for years to relieve the symptoms of menopause and prevent osteoporosis. HRT has been considered helpful in relieving hot flashes, vaginal dryness and mood swings associated with menopause.

But in 2002, a large Women’s Health Initiative clinical study was stopped after early findings revealed that HRT after menopause raised a woman's risk of breast cancer, heart attacks, strokes and blood clots.

As a result if these findings, many women have opted for natural alternatives to HRT. They have shifted their thinking to view menopause as a normal life stage as opposed to a “disease” that requires treatment.

Natural approaches to menopause include healthier eating habits and increased calcium intake, herbal supplements and alternative approaches, such as chiropractic care and acupuncture, to help a woman’s body regulate and balance itself during menopause, without the side effects and inherent health risks associated with HRT. In addition, regular exercise helps relieve stress and prevent heart disease and osteoporosis.

 Dr. John Asks some important questions of interest to Pittsburgh residents - Chiropractor Pittsburgh Dr. John Asks...

What controls every cell, tissue and organ of your body?
DNA? Wrong. Immune system? Wrong? Hormones? Wrong. It's your nervous system, consisting of your brain, spinal cord and all the nerves of your body. When a chiropractor sees a Pittsburgh patient with say, stomach problems, we want to know why the brain is unable to properly control and regulate the stomach. Which prompts us to examine the nervous system—the focus of chiropractic care.
What is the significance of "growing pains?"
Chiropractors know that aches or pains at any age mean something's not right. In fact, many children go through stages of growth without aches or pains. So while "growing pains" may be common, they're not normal. That's why our Pittsburgh chiropractic practice sees lots of children. A chiropractic checkup for your child can often help detect and correct problems that are more difficult to correct in Pittsburgh adults.