A review of Suzanne Somers latest book - ‘The Sexy Years’
Review by Helene Leonetti M.D
If you are like the thousands of women we hear from, you may be confused.
Suzanne Somers latest book ‘The Sexy Years’ has gotten the attention of millions of women … and the media. Thanks to the media blitz, the topic of bioidentical hormones seems to be on the tip of so many women’s tongues.
Yet many experts in the field of hormone health and balance who use bioidentical hormones, find a number of flaws and misconceptions throughout the book. One of these, a close colleague of Dr. John R. Lee, who has been in the vanguard of bioidentical hormone therapy for decades is Helene Leonetti M.D.
Dr. Leonetti’s responds …
After reading Suzanne Somer’s book, ‘The Sexy Years’, I had several thoughts:
Somers has certainly gotten the catch word, ‘bio-identical hormones’ out there; and I am proud of her for taking her power back and helping boost her self esteem. HOWEVER, she has set back the advancement of natural hormone therapy decades!
Oral natural progesterone? Why use this to tax our poor overworked liver, and have as much as 90% converted by conjugation through the GI tract into metabolic by-products we do not desire - that make us fatigued, dizzy, occasionally disoriented - when a transdermal delivery system is available? My three peer-reviewed clinical research trials attest to: systemic absorption of transdermals; such an improved delivery system that we need only use 5-10 times less the dose.
Measuring blood levels to test the hormones is archaic: it measures the protein-bound inactive form of the hormones which in no way reflect what is clinically happening in the body. And to measure them several times a month is stressing the patient?s veins, as well as her pocketbook. When I truly want to know what is happening hormonally, I measure saliva levels, which so elegantly reflect how my transdermal therapy is working.
Lastly, bleeding until age 70! How sadistic can we be?? Even conventionalists affirm the safety of continuous combined HRT which ultimately renders a woman with an inactive endometrium. Giving such high estrogen doses with cyclic progesterone to a woman recently having breast cancer is not prudent. In native culture, “women who hold their blood,” known as the crone, are valued for their wisdom. We do not need to replicate youth when the preciousness of the menopausal goddess is at hand.
Helene B. Leonetti, MD, Bethlehem, PA
Comments from other doctors:
It is obvious that Ms Somers uses the risk factors from the WHI study to promote her ‘every woman in menopause should have a period’ position. There is no evidence whatsoever that continuous Bio-identical HRT when used according to Dr. John Lee MD principles is harmful in any way. In fact, the evidence favors significant health benefits.
Furthermore, she doesn’t recognize saliva testing nor topical administration as beneficial, which simply demonstrates the limitations of her medical knowledge. I am grateful that she has raised women’s awareness regarding BHRT; however, she would best serve the public by becoming fully informed about BHRT benefits, testing modalities and therapeutic options.
Dr. Jay Mead, M.D., Medical Director of ZRT Laboratory, Beaverton,
I don’t agree with Somers assertion that, “the only way to mimic the normal menstrual cycle is to take HRT and have monthly withdrawal bleeding”. How in the world is having menses after menopause mimicking the normal menstrual cycle? I think when menopause hits, it’s not “back to the future” time, forget the periods. As has been said, “We live in a sea of estrogens” already, let’s don’t do any kind of exogenous estrogen support, unless conservative lifestyle changes and nutrition don’t correct it. I do find low doses of bio-identical progesterone, given for three weeks per month, the one hormone I find necessary with the continuous bombardment of environmental and dietary estrogen agents, just to keep that ratio balanced.”
Ben Markham, N.D., Albequerqueue, NM
