Menopause Symptoms : What Works, What Doesn’t & What’s Dangerous

Summary

Dr. Ken Berry, a family physician with over 20 years of experience, shares his insights on managing menopausal symptoms. He emphasizes the importance of bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT), recommending it over synthetic hormone replacements. Dr. Berry discusses various interventions, including exercise, herbal remedies, and diet, such as ketogenic or carnivore diets, that can help alleviate symptoms. He advises caution with SSRIs, antipsychotics, and other pharmaceuticals, highlighting the potential benefits of a low-carb lifestyle and proper supplementation of vitamins and minerals for menopausal women.

Takeaways

• 😀 Estrogen mimicking drugs, prescribed for menopause symptoms, are not the same as natural estrogen and may have harmful side effects.
• 😀 Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) uses actual estrogen and progesterone molecules, providing better results with fewer side effects.
• 😀 Bioidentical hormones can relieve menopausal symptoms and help prevent health issues like bone loss, muscle mass reduction, and sleep disturbances.
• 😀 BHRT is commonly administered through compounded creams or hormone pellets that need to be regularly applied or inserted.
• 😀 Herbal supplements like black cohosh, Don Quai, and evening primrose oil have mixed results in treating menopausal symptoms, with some women finding them effective and others not.
• 😀 Exercise can provide mild relief for menopausal symptoms but the research on its effectiveness is inconclusive.
• 😀 SSRIs, like Paxil and Zoloft, are sometimes prescribed off-label for menopausal symptoms, but their side effects and withdrawal symptoms can outweigh their benefits.
• 😀 Low-carbohydrate diets, such as keto, carnivore, or ketovor diets, have been reported by many women to improve or eliminate menopausal symptoms.
• 😀 Some women have seen improved fertility and regular menstrual cycles after switching to a low-carb diet, though this can be a downside for those not wanting to conceive.
• 😀 Vitamins and minerals like magnesium, vitamin D, zinc, and B vitamins can support menopausal symptom relief, especially when part of a nutrient-rich diet like keto or carnivore.

Q & A

What is the main focus of Dr. Ken Berry's video?

Dr. Ken Berry's video focuses on offering insights into menopausal symptoms, treatment options, and the most effective ways to manage these symptoms, specifically highlighting the differences between conventional hormone therapies and bioidentical hormone replacement therapy.

What is the primary concern with FDA-approved estrogen and progesterone pills?

The primary concern is that FDA-approved estrogen and progesterone pills do not actually contain real estrogen or progesterone. Instead, they are made of estrogen mimicking molecules, which are not identical to naturally occurring hormones.

What are bioidentical hormones, and why are they recommended by Dr. Berry?

Bioidentical hormones are hormone molecules that are chemically identical to those naturally occurring in the human body. Dr. Berry recommends them because they can effectively relieve menopausal symptoms and offer additional benefits, such as protecting against bone loss and muscle mass reduction, without the risks associated with synthetic hormone replacements.

How does bioidentical hormone replacement therapy typically work?

Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) typically involves using creams compounded by pharmacies or hormone pellets inserted under the skin. These therapies aim to provide real estrogen and progesterone, helping to alleviate menopausal symptoms. The cream must be applied daily, while the pellets last two to four months.

What are some alternative treatments Dr. Berry mentions, and how effective are they?

Dr. Berry mentions herbal remedies, exercise, and pharmaceuticals like SSRIs. Herbal supplements, such as black cohosh and ginseng, have mixed results, with some women experiencing little benefit. Exercise has equivocal evidence, with mild relief for some. Pharmaceuticals like SSRIs may offer minor improvement, but side effects and withdrawal symptoms are common.

What does Dr. Berry say about the ketogenic and carnivore diets for managing menopausal symptoms?

Dr. Berry highlights that many women report significant improvements in menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes and irregular periods, after following a ketogenic or carnivore diet. These diets, which focus on low carbohydrates, have helped some women regain regular periods and experience fewer symptoms, alongside other health benefits.

Why does Dr. Berry advise caution when using antidepressants like SSRIs for menopausal symptoms?

Dr. Berry advises caution because SSRIs, such as Paxil and Zoloft, are not FDA-approved for menopausal symptoms, and while some women may experience minor relief, the side effects and potential for withdrawal symptoms make them less desirable for managing menopause.

What role do vitamins and minerals play in managing menopausal symptoms?

Certain vitamins and minerals, including magnesium, vitamin D3, zinc, and B vitamins, may help alleviate menopausal symptoms. Dr. Berry recommends obtaining these nutrients through a diet rich in meat and eggs, especially if following a ketogenic, ketovore, or carnivore diet.

What does Dr. Berry think about the use of pharmaceuticals like Gabapentin or antipsychotics for menopausal symptoms?

Dr. Berry strongly advises against using medications like Gabapentin or antipsychotics for menopausal symptoms, as these drugs are meant for other medical purposes and may have inappropriate side effects when used off-label for menopause.

What is Dr. Berry's general approach to treating menopausal symptoms?

Dr. Berry's approach emphasizes using bioidentical hormone replacement therapy as the most effective and safest treatment option, while also considering lifestyle changes like following a ketogenic or carnivore diet. He recommends avoiding synthetic hormone therapies, unnecessary pharmaceutical treatments, and suggests trying supplements or herbal remedies with caution.