Comments for Mache Seibel, M.D. http://www.doctorseibel.com It's Better to Stay Well than to Get Well Wed, 22 Feb 2012 16:46:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1 Comment on How HRT is Prescribed by michelle http://www.doctorseibel.com/how-hrt-is-prescribed/#comment-24 michelle Wed, 22 Feb 2012 16:46:00 +0000 http://www.doctorseibel.com/?page_id=1023#comment-24 Dr. Seibel, Thank you in advance for commenting on my concerns. After vising a doctor for pelvic pain, I was told I had sufficient Estrogen but no Progesterone. He referred me back to my primary after finding no cancer, but an inflamed vein. They gave me the results but made no suggestions. I have been self medicating with Progesterone cream. I feel great and at 57 and one year without menstruating have very minor and occasional hot flashes and no other symptoms.Is this safe. I follow Dr. john Lee's recommendations. Dr. Seibel,
Thank you in advance for commenting on my concerns.
After vising a doctor for pelvic pain, I was told I had sufficient Estrogen but no Progesterone. He referred me back to my primary after finding no cancer, but an inflamed vein.
They gave me the results but made no suggestions. I have been self medicating with Progesterone cream. I feel great and at 57 and one year without menstruating have very minor and occasional hot flashes and no other symptoms.Is this safe. I follow Dr. john Lee’s recommendations.

]]> Comment on How HRT is Prescribed by Dr. Mache Seibel http://www.doctorseibel.com/how-hrt-is-prescribed/#comment-23 Dr. Mache Seibel Wed, 22 Feb 2012 01:23:27 +0000 http://www.doctorseibel.com/?page_id=1023#comment-23 Hi Monique, If a woman has a uterus, it is necessary to take progesterone for 10 days along with estrogen, even if it is bioidentical estrogen, at least two to four times each year. If a woman does not have her uterus (had a hysterectomy)) she does not need to take progesterone along with the estrogen. In that case, it is important to talk with your doctor to see how long to stay on the estrogen. Most studies suggest that up to 5 years does not increase the risk for medical problems. But it depends on a person's personal history as to whether these general statements are accurate and how safe it is to stay on the estrogen for a longer window of time. Glad to hear you are getting good results. Mache Seibel, MD Hi Monique,
If a woman has a uterus, it is necessary to take progesterone for 10 days along with estrogen, even if it is bioidentical estrogen, at least two to four times each year. If a woman does not have her uterus (had a hysterectomy)) she does not need to take progesterone along with the estrogen. In that case, it is important to talk with your doctor to see how long to stay on the estrogen. Most studies suggest that up to 5 years does not increase the risk for medical problems. But it depends on a person’s personal history as to whether these general statements are accurate and how safe it is to stay on the estrogen for a longer window of time.
Glad to hear you are getting good results.
Mache Seibel, MD

]]> Comment on How HRT is Prescribed by Monique http://www.doctorseibel.com/how-hrt-is-prescribed/#comment-22 Monique Tue, 21 Feb 2012 23:08:35 +0000 http://www.doctorseibel.com/?page_id=1023#comment-22 I have been using bioidentical continuous HT in the form of cream for the past 4 months. The results have been good. I am wondering what length of time is safe for HT treatment? Thank You for making this information available. I have been using bioidentical continuous HT in the form of cream for the past 4 months. The results have been good. I am wondering what length of time is safe for HT treatment?
Thank You for making this information available.

]]> Comment on Alternative Approaches to HRT by Robert Berman http://www.doctorseibel.com/menopause/alternative-approaches-to-hrt/#comment-19 Robert Berman Thu, 05 Jan 2012 13:22:54 +0000 http://www.doctorseibel.com/?p=1657#comment-19 Dear Dr. Seibel, Thank you for the mention of i-cool. The response from women around the country has been very gratifying, reinforcing the results from our randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Regards, Bob Berman i-Health, Inc. A Division of DSM Dear Dr. Seibel,

Thank you for the mention of i-cool. The response from women around the country has been very gratifying, reinforcing the results from our randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

Regards,

Bob Berman
i-Health, Inc.
A Division of DSM

]]> Comment on How HRT is Prescribed by Dr. Mache Seibel http://www.doctorseibel.com/how-hrt-is-prescribed/#comment-16 Dr. Mache Seibel Mon, 02 Jan 2012 23:27:33 +0000 http://www.doctorseibel.com/?page_id=1023#comment-16 Hi Cathy, You have a very challenging situation. The doctors who know you are likely in a better position to comment on the risk/benefit of taking HRT for you. There is an increased risk of heart attack with HRT in general. But there are things you can do that often help reduce the hot flashes for many women. One simple thing is to ask your doctor to check your vitamin D level (get a 25-OH vitamin D). Low levels are very common and if yours is low, it can increase your risk for heart disease, breast cancer, brittle bones and hot flashes. You might feel much better correcting that by simply taking a supplement. There are videos on this at http://www.doctorseibel.com/menopause/. Other non HRT approaches include drinking plenty of water daily (8 glasses or more); getting daily exercise (walking 30 minutes is great); getting into a yoga class; learning to meditate and doing that daily - even 1 to 5 minutes at first and work your way up to longer. Stress reduction is another great non HRT way to reduce hot flashes. Avoid caffeine, spicy foods and alcohol. Carry a cool wipe. Herbal approaches include black cohosh and soy (50 to 100 mg of the soy isoflavones in a capsule or 25 to 40 grams of the protein in a smoothie or in your food. iCool is a non soy isoflavone. Flaxseed 1-3 tablespoons on cereal in the morning. There are also prescription meds that are not HRT such as the SSRI antidepressants [Effexor, although there is also evidence showing that paroxetine (Paxil, Paxil CR) and fluoxetine (Prozac) can be effective in controlling hot flashes], the anti-seizure medication Neurontin (gabapentin), and the antihypertensive medicine clonidine (catapres) have all been used in situations like yours. There are many alternative options in my book The Soy Solution for Menopause from Simon & Schuster. Also, women who are thinner have less hot flashes than women who weigh more. All of these approaches have helped different patients who either cannot or will not take HRT and have low estrogen. Talk with your health care providers and get them to work with you find what will work for you. I hope this is helpful to you. Mache Seibel, MD Hi Cathy,
You have a very challenging situation. The doctors who know you are likely in a better position to comment on the risk/benefit of taking HRT for you. There is an increased risk of heart attack with HRT in general. But there are things you can do that often help reduce the hot flashes for many women. One simple thing is to ask your doctor to check your vitamin D level (get a 25-OH vitamin D). Low levels are very common and if yours is low, it can increase your risk for heart disease, breast cancer, brittle bones and hot flashes. You might feel much better correcting that by simply taking a supplement. There are videos on this at http://www.doctorseibel.com/menopause/. Other non HRT approaches include drinking plenty of water daily (8 glasses or more); getting daily exercise (walking 30 minutes is great); getting into a yoga class; learning to meditate and doing that daily – even 1 to 5 minutes at first and work your way up to longer. Stress reduction is another great non HRT way to reduce hot flashes. Avoid caffeine, spicy foods and alcohol. Carry a cool wipe. Herbal approaches include black cohosh and soy (50 to 100 mg of the soy isoflavones in a capsule or 25 to 40 grams of the protein in a smoothie or in your food. iCool is a non soy isoflavone. Flaxseed 1-3 tablespoons on cereal in the morning. There are also prescription meds that are not HRT such as the SSRI antidepressants [Effexor, although there is also evidence showing that paroxetine (Paxil, Paxil CR) and fluoxetine (Prozac) can be effective in controlling hot flashes], the anti-seizure medication Neurontin (gabapentin), and the antihypertensive medicine clonidine (catapres) have all been used in situations like yours. There are many alternative options in my book The Soy Solution for Menopause from Simon & Schuster. Also, women who are thinner have less hot flashes than women who weigh more. All of these approaches have helped different patients who either cannot or will not take HRT and have low estrogen. Talk with your health care providers and get them to work with you find what will work for you.
I hope this is helpful to you.
Mache Seibel, MD

]]> Comment on How HRT is Prescribed by Cathy http://www.doctorseibel.com/how-hrt-is-prescribed/#comment-15 Cathy Sun, 01 Jan 2012 17:16:23 +0000 http://www.doctorseibel.com/?page_id=1023#comment-15 Dr Seibel. Please I need some studies on Coronary heart disease and HRT I'm 57 and having hot flashes like crazy! I had heart attack 7 years ago and a 5 way open heart bypass. My cardiologist says absolutely no to HRT. Primary care doc says no. gynocoligist and sleep doc (because I hardly sleep at night) say yes - that HRT outweighs the risks whe I'm having such a miserable hot flashing life and can't sleep. Can you point me to some studies? Also what is your opinion ? Dr Seibel. Please I need some studies on Coronary heart disease and HRT I’m 57 and having hot flashes like crazy! I had heart attack 7 years ago and a 5 way open heart bypass. My cardiologist says absolutely no to HRT. Primary care doc says no. gynocoligist and sleep doc (because I hardly sleep at night) say yes – that HRT outweighs the risks whe I’m having such a miserable hot flashing life and can’t sleep. Can you point me to some studies? Also what is your opinion ?

]]> Comment on Menopause by Diabetes and Your Risk of Hip Fracture | Diabetes Information http://www.doctorseibel.com/menopause/#comment-12 Diabetes and Your Risk of Hip Fracture | Diabetes Information Fri, 23 Dec 2011 01:03:53 +0000 http://64.65.29.159/?page_id=336#comment-12 [...] the holiday season’s weight gain is often never lost. But a new study showed that especially for women in menopause who have diabetes, those with poor control of their blood sugar are much more likely to break their [...] [...] the holiday season’s weight gain is often never lost. But a new study showed that especially for women in menopause who have diabetes, those with poor control of their blood sugar are much more likely to break their [...]

]]> Comment on New Christmas Song For Military – Daddy’s Coming Home by Shelly Glazier http://www.doctorseibel.com/stress/daddys-coming-home-for-christmas/#comment-11 Shelly Glazier Mon, 21 Nov 2011 23:56:27 +0000 http://www.doctorseibel.com/?p=1442#comment-11 Absolutely FANTASTIC!!! It says it All...Just Wonderful! Absolutely FANTASTIC!!!

It says it All…Just Wonderful!

]]> Comment on How HRT is Prescribed by Dr. Mache Seibel http://www.doctorseibel.com/how-hrt-is-prescribed/#comment-10 Dr. Mache Seibel Wed, 26 Oct 2011 03:37:52 +0000 http://www.doctorseibel.com/?page_id=1023#comment-10 Sorry you are having such a problem. About 40% of women have difficulty coming off of estrogen and their symptoms return. The best way to come off of it is very gradually. It can take months to do it and you have to work with your doctor closely. Exercise, meditation, yoga and alternatives to estrogen can be helpful. You can find more about that in my eBook the Menopause Handbook or in my book The Soy Solution for Menopause. Choosing the right foods and lowering stress and getting enough sleep also help. The good news is that if you have been on it for as long as you say and keep the dosage as low as you can tolerate it, there might not be a strong need to come off of it. Talk with your doctor about your concerns and if it is safe for you to stay on it. Mache Seibel, MD Sorry you are having such a problem. About 40% of women have difficulty coming off of estrogen and their symptoms return. The best way to come off of it is very gradually. It can take months to do it and you have to work with your doctor closely. Exercise, meditation, yoga and alternatives to estrogen can be helpful. You can find more about that in my eBook the Menopause Handbook or in my book The Soy Solution for Menopause. Choosing the right foods and lowering stress and getting enough sleep also help.
The good news is that if you have been on it for as long as you say and keep the dosage as low as you can tolerate it, there might not be a strong need to come off of it. Talk with your doctor about your concerns and if it is safe for you to stay on it.
Mache Seibel, MD

]]> Comment on How HRT is Prescribed by Paula Cash http://www.doctorseibel.com/how-hrt-is-prescribed/#comment-9 Paula Cash Sun, 23 Oct 2011 04:31:04 +0000 http://www.doctorseibel.com/?page_id=1023#comment-9 I have been extremely HOT since 38 yo. I will be 63 next month and have not changed. I went on estrogen at 44 daily. Tried to get off 3 times. One time as long as a year, but one hot flash after another all day/night long. I am so embarrassed around people sweating and being totally miserable. I have to take a fan to any job I go to and everyone thinks I am crazy. All doctors I have addressed this to say they don't have an answer. Do you have an answer for me Dr. Seibel. P.S. My mom is 85 and still on estrogen. Se started at 37 yo. Thanks so much for your help. I have been extremely HOT since 38 yo. I will be 63 next month and have not changed. I went on estrogen at 44 daily. Tried to get off 3 times. One time as long as a year, but one hot flash after another all day/night long. I am so embarrassed around people sweating and being totally miserable. I have to take a fan to any job I go to and everyone thinks I am crazy. All doctors I have addressed this to say they don’t have an answer. Do you have an answer for me Dr. Seibel. P.S. My mom is 85 and still on estrogen. Se started at 37 yo. Thanks so much for your help.

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