Description
When reviewing the therapeutic order, naturopathic medicine relies on pharmacological substances often as a last option to healing. However, when used appropriately, these medicines can be a powerful tool to health. The use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has become quite routine in practice to help pre-menopausal women with PMS, endometriosis, fatigue, and infertility, and to help menopausal women experiencing hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness. Unfortunately, there is a fair amount of controversy surrounding estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) in particular due to the 2002 results of the Women’s Health Initiative. Since that time, both patients and clinicians have worried over the use of any HRT, not just estrogen. Current research demonstrates that estrogen -particularly estradiol - may not warrant such demonization due to its positive effects on bone, brain, skin, and heart health. Additionally, other HRT may provide significant symptom relief, such as progesterone and insomnia or androgens for energy/mood. This lecture will focus on conditions women experience through the years with associated hormonal testing and HRT prescribing. Typical routes of administration, doses, side effects, and warnings will be discussed.
Speaker Bio: Dr. Carrie Jones is an internationally recognized speaker, consultant, and educator on the topic of women’s health and hormones. She was graduated from the National University of Natural Medicine School of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, Oregon, where she also completed her 2-year residency in women’s health, hormones and endocrinology. Later she graduated from Grand Canyon University’s Master of Public Health program with a goal of doing more international education. She was adjunct faculty for many years teaching gynecology and advanced endocrinology/fertility and has been the Medical Director for 2 large integrative clinics in Portland. She is the Medical Director for Precision Analytical, Inc, creators of the DUTCH hormone test.
*Certified by the WANP for 1 Category 1 continuing education credit (including 1 Pharmacology credit) for Washington NDs*
(Originally presented on October 9, 2020)
