GENERAL
DISCUSSION
Exogenous
hormones (contraceptive hormones, HRT, ERT) may effect the cervical
epithelium
of various individuals. Doses with high levels of progesterone
may
limit maturation of squamous epithelium to the parabasal level (eg: Depo-Provera).
Pregnancy
and
post-partum
may produce similar cell changes. Sometimes these
cell changes may appear as dysplasia or glandular hyperplasia (Ljusa
D,
2000, Valente
PT,
1998, see also ASCP Tech Sample CY-5, 1997). These
worrisome changes (BCC, ASC-US
or
AGS) have been associated with hypomethylation of DNA within the
nuclei of cells due to B vitamin
deficiency,
especially folic
acid, and have been known to disappear
or improve when these nutrients are increased or hormones are
discontinued.
Antioxidant vitamin deficiencies may cause similar cell changes to
those
of folic acid deficiency (Li
X,
1995, Harper
JM,
1994, Ciavatti
M,
1991, Butterworth,
1982). Zinc, a
crucial antioxidant involved in maintaining the integrity of the
structure
of DNA, is often depleted with
chronic
hormone use (see excerpts from the Art of
Cytology on Zinc
and Cancer).
It is paramount that any woman on prescription hormones take a high
quality
multivitamin/mineral supplement to safeguard her cellular health (see Estrogen's
Role
in
Cancer).
Beginning
in
the
1960's, wide-spread significant use of and exposure to
synthetic hormones began in women of developed countries starting with DES,
then ERT (estrogen replacement therapy; eg: Premarin,
touted
as
a
"youth" serum), and finally The
Pill, Depo-Provera,
and
HRT (eg: Prempro).
Various
estrogen
and/or
progesterone combinations were also given to many
of these women to stop lactation after child birth (estrogen) and for
ovarian
and menstrual disorders (The Pill). Now the big craze is prescription
doses
of so called "bio-identical" hormones that have been revved up to
drug effectiveness in compounding pharmacies using plant based
estrogens
(yams) instead of animals (horses). These drug level substances,
even though they may be more bio-identical to human hormones, must be
prescribed
as they carry the same risks. No placebo controlled studies have ever
proven
otherwise (see Gaia
Research). It has been known for over 30 years that a
naturally high estrogen effect in vaginal
cells is a red flag
for a cytologist to screen diligently for endometrial
cancer on a
Pap
test (see endometrial
cancer). Having a high level of estrogen when a women is no
longer
ovulating is not a good thing. Estrogen and progesterone are now
on the NIH
list
of
substances
known to cause human cancers
because they are reproductive cell proliferators, meaning they are
growth
promoters of reproductive cells (Chlebowski
RT,
2009, NIH-2002).
Similar
substance found in plastics (eg: BPA's)
also mimic estrogenic effects and for this reason are considered by
many
to be carcinogenic. Progesterone
and similar compounds may be even be more carcinogenic than estrogen at
unnaturally high levels (see Dr.
Ellen Grant, MD, Miracle
or
Menace).
Although
contraceptive
hormones
are highly effective in preventing unwanted
pregnancies, they were never intended to be dispensed indiscriminately
for use as recreational drugs. They carry serious side-effects
(see
the black box warnings which include heart
disease, blood clots, stroke, liver tumors, and cytopathology
in reproductive organs to name a few) especially for certain vulnerable
populations. Women who smoke and/or have a familiar history of certain
diseases such as heart disease, liver disease, or breast cancer, should
never take them. Smoking,
alcohol
consumption, and poor diets deficient in micronutrients compound their
side-effects. They should be
prescribed
only to those who qualify and used for the least amount of time
possible
(ideally, less than five years). Because of the seriousness
of their side-effects, Japan has never allowed the wide-spread use of
The
Pill and have always had the lowest
rate of breast cancer (cancer
project). In recent years however, Japan women have
petitioned
the government to relax its stronghold on the dispensing of it.
Consequently
rates of breast cancer are rising quickly.
In
the
early
2000's and for the first time since records began being kept,
breast cancer rates took a suddenly dramatic dive. This
was shown to have occurred in tandem with the discontinuance by women
around
the world of various forms of HRT after
the
huge long-term WHI studies finally confirmed what
many
smaller studies had been concluding all along--that various types of
replacement
hormones (eg: HRT
such as Prempro
and ERT
such as Premarin)
were
undeniably
linked
to not only heart
disease but also various pathologies of the reproductive organs (endometrium,
vagina,
cervix,
breast,
and
ovary),
especially
cancer
(Chlebowski
RT,
2009, Parkin
DM,
2009). The fear many medical pathology professionals now
have is that the rates will once again rise as older women resume
hormone
use, however more natural forms (see excerpts from The
Art
of Cytology - Estrogen Risks and Menopause).
The
wide-spread
use
of these hormones is so great that their by-products
are now showing up in our rivers and streams near discharge sites of
sewage
treatment plants. Studies show many birds, fish and amphibeans
near
these waters have associated reproductive anomalies (see
Endocrine-Disrupting
Chemicals). Our food chain is already contaminated
with
these hormones as well because for years the animal industry has been
dosing
their animals with these growth hormones in order to increase
productivity. Gender
disphoria and infertility in human male offspring has also been
linked
to the wide-spread exposure to these hormones, in particular DES.
Premature
puberty
in
girls has also been linked to exposure to various endocrine-disrupting
chemicals
(EDC's) such as Bisphenol
A (BPA), an estrogen mimic found in plastics. Taking hormones
periconceptually
(just before pregnancy) may also have an effect on the programming of
reproductive
function in the developing fetus.
HRT
compounds are only permitted by the FDA to be used for the
shortest
length of time and at the least dose possible to deal with temporary
menopausal
issues. They contain the same ingredients as contraceptive
hormones
and carry similar, if not worse, risks. "Bio-identicals"
should
be used with the same cautions (Pharmwatch).
None
of
these
drugs act as youth serums, contrary to the medically
uneducated
opinions of such people as Suzanne Somers, whose breast cancer occurred
after over 20 years of contraceptive hormone use. Diet
and life-style changes get to the root of
the problem and do a much better and long-lasting job at reducing
menopausal
symptoms and preserving longevity (Mitrou
PN,
2007).
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