Dearest:Welcome, everyone, and happy Labor Day weekend. I especially wanted to 
invite my guest tonight for *Labor* Day because one of the most persistent 
questions women in perimenopause LABOR over is: "Should I take hormones or 
not?"

Returning for his 5th visit to Power Surge is our own Pharmaceutical 
Consultant, P E T E  H U E S E M A N

Of his 25+ years as a registered pharmacist, Pete has spent 7-8 of them 
exclusively involved in the area of women's health.  Pete was formerly with
College Pharmacy and has now branched out on his own with his wonderful
Bellevue Pharmacy Solutions, which compounds natural hormones, 
such as progesterone, estradiol, estrone, tri-estrogen, DHEA, testosterone, 
pregnenolone.

Pete Hueseman is professionally associated with The North American 
Menopause Society, the Academy of Alternative Medicine, Alternative and 
Complementary Medicine Association and is registered with various 
professional pharmacist's associations.

Pete, welcome back to Power Surge :) Could you explain the basic 
difference between your "naturally compounded hormones," other "natural 
phytoestrogens," and "synthetic" hormones?  Thanks and welcome :)


Pete Hueseman:   The natural hormones come from plant sources and the most 
important part is that they are chemically identical to what the ovaries 
used to secrete.  They are derived from the soy bean plant.  The 
phytoestrogens usually are derived from herbs and are not prescription 
items.  The synthetics are chemically manipulated by the drug companies to 
try to act like natural hormones.


Dearest:    Pete, thanks. Can you explain why synthetic, chemically altered 
and unnatural hormone therapies are approved by the FDA for prescription 
but naturally compounded hormones aren't? What's the logic behind that? 


Pete Hueseman:   Mostly because the big drug companies do not want to 
spend about 260 million dollars to get them patented, because they won't 
be able to keep a patent long since they have been around for a long time 
as just chemicals.  Once it is patented, along comes a generic company to 
copy them and then there would be no profit to recoup the big dollar 
research expense.


Dearest:    Ahh... profit. Avarice and greed. I figured that had something 
to do with it :(  Thanks, Pete.  Deronunn, go ahead, please.


Deronunn2:   Should I expect to gain weight after menopause?


Pete Hueseman:   Most people do gain a pound or 2.  I would be unhappy if 
it were more than 5 pounds, for that would tell me that the balance was 
not correct for that person.


RCHCTH:   If I switched from 200 mg Natural Progesterone to sublingual, 
would the dosage be the same and would there be less sleepiness? 


Pete Hueseman:   There would usually be less drowsiness, and the dose 
would probably be the same, but you could call me at work so we could 
discuss that in detail. 


Dearest:    While we're talking about progesterone, what are your thoughts 
on the efficacy of natural progesterone creams? 


Pete Hueseman:   The over the counter creams are approximately 1.5%, a 
very low dose to benefit most menopausal women, however the creams made on 
prescription are a higher dose and usually very beneficial.  


Dearest:    What would you then say is the most effective progesterone 
supplementation, Pete? 


Pete Hueseman:   There are several good dose forms:  sublingually, gels, 
oil capsules that do work, and of course the old suppositories. (also 
injections).


O SEAPEARL:   I  do not have a hysterectomy. I only have memory fog. I 
weight train 5 times a week and walk and swim, eat right, take my 
vitamins. Why do I need HRT?  I eat soy.  I don't need to lose 
weight.   


Pete Hueseman:   You may not need natural HRT. We could do a saliva test 
to see what your estrogens levels are, because one sign of menopause and 
low estrogen is brain fog, so you could try, through your Doctor, a low 
dose of natural estrogen and see if it helps you. 


O SEAPEARL:   I take Revival and soy and feel fine now. 


Pete Hueseman:   Then just do that.  The Revival is good stuff for minor 
symptoms, and very good for general.  It is normal, but it sounds like you 
do need some natural hormones, and you would feel great. 


HevnB4u:   Hello, please tell me if it is progesterone or estrogen that 
causes hair loss?


Pete Hueseman:   It is the lack of estrogen and progesterone that 
can cause hair loss, or the improper balance of the hormones. 


Dearest:    CFP, would you ask your question again?  Pete may have been 
answering another question at the time. Sorry.


CFP Friend:   I am 52. No period for 1.5 yrs. Using Pro-Gest for about 1 
year.  5 days off I feel down and sluggish.  Also, don't sleep well.  Is 
this normal?  Thank you.  


Pete Hueseman:   Your hormones are out of balance.  You may need a low 
dose of estrogen daily, and a higher dose of progesterone daily. Do not 
take off for 5 days. 


VpsIII:   I'm a DES daughter, taking Prometrium. I understand that it is 
metabolized in the liver.  Is the sublingual?  And is it natural? 


Pete Hueseman:   The sublingual does bypass the liver on the first pass 
of metabolism. 


Kitkat4888:   Is it true that women who take hormones age more slowly And 
have better skin and stronger bones than those who don't?  


Pete Hueseman:   Yes, that is usually the case. 


Dearest:    JFedorchack, go ahead.


JFedorchak:   Can I be sure natural progesterone is safe for me? I quit 
HRT 6 months ago because of breast cancer/mastectomy.  I have insomnia and 
hot flashes. 


Pete Hueseman:   They are safer than synthetic.  However, you are still 
not risk free totally from cancer. They are ok, but do your check-ups 
religiously. 


Dearest:    ADamon, go ahead.


ADamon3336:   What can you do for anxiety/depression at perimenopause; is 
sublingual timed release?


Pete Hueseman:   You can use a balance of progesterone and natural 
estrogens.  The sublinguals are not time released but actually very fast 
acting.


Dearest:    RCH, go ahead.


RCHCTH:   What is an example of benzodiazepines (what drugs)? 


Dearest:    <Valium>


Pete Hueseman:   Valium, librium are examples of them. 


RCHCTH:   Xanax?


Dearest:    Carol, I'll find out about Xanax for you unless Pete knows.


Pete Hueseman:    Xanax is not exactly a benzodiazepine, but similar. 


Dearest:    Deronnun, go ahead.


Deronunn2:   At the age of 44, how should I prepare for menopause so it's 
not an unpleasant experience?


Dearest:    <Go into hibernation for about 10 years?>


Pete Hueseman:   Read lots of material, be on Power Surge to learn from 
others, and call me when you have questions that are not answered 
elsewhere. 


Dearest:    Absolutely. Pete is wonderfully helpful to the women of Power 
Surge™. Also, read the Power Surge™ Web site's many recommendations, 
newsletters, guest transcripts, polls, message boards, etc.


Dearest:    Klp, go ahead now :)


Klp1980:   Why can't the Dr. get my hormone-level and thyroid under 
control?  They have tried every pill patch and even injection.  I’m 39 and 
living not a very fun life. 


Pete Hueseman:   Maybe you should call me on Tuesday.  I'll get your 
history, and maybe we have something that you have not tried yet! 


Dearest:    And, Pete, remind everyone that you can speak directly with 
their doctors, too.


Pete Hueseman:   Yes, after I talk with the patients, I can talk to the 
Doctors to explain what my suggestion is about. 


Dearest:    DPurdy, go ahead, please.


DPurdy3025:   No ovaries/hair loss/on natural crushed estrogen, 
progesterone. Why am I still burning up at night and and loosing hair?


Pete Hueseman:   I would have to know the exact doses, and how you are 
using it, gel, caps etc., Please call me later and I can get your history 
and help you.  It sounds like you are not getting good absorption of the 
drugs. 


DPurdy3025:   How do I call you??


Dearest:    You can reach Pete at Bellevue Pharmacy at 1-800-728-0288


DPurdy3025:   Thanks


Dearest:    You're most welcome :)


Dearest:    Please keep your questions brief. We're running short on time. 
MGLeh, go ahead.


MGLeh:   I had breast cancer and told not to take hormones what can be 
used for loss of libido?  I've tried testosterone cream and Revival-no 
help. 


Pete Hueseman:   There is mostly just testosterone applied locally, you 
might ask your Doctor if you could try it.


MGLeh:   Tried it


Pete Hueseman:   We also have a herbal libido capsule that may help, it is 
inexpensive.  Call me at work to order it and try it, and then report back 
to us on the results.  I have not sold much of it but it is safe. 


Dearest:    Pete, you talk to so many thousands of women. What's their 
biggest fear when it comes to hormone replacement therapy?


Pete Hueseman:   Mostly breast cancer, they think it is automatic, but it 
really isn't. 


Dearest:    Thanks, Pete. Boza, your turn :)


BOZA3:   Thyroid, surggical menopause and depression, not able to get a 
balance on Prometrium, Levoxil, Estridiol.  Tried different dosages with 
no relief. 


Pete Hueseman:   They should be able to balance them for you.  I’m 
assuming that you take all orally, so maybe you are not absorbing well and 
need to try a sublingual tablet or a gel dose form.  Maybe we also need a 
saliva test on you or maybe we need to try triest or biest too.
 

Dearest:    Boza, you can call Pete at Bellevue Pharmacy at 1-800-728-0288.  Thank you, Pete. Always wonderful answers :)  


CFP Friend:   I am poor :( and can't afford a doctor.  Can I still get 
relief without a prescription? 


Pete Hueseman:   We have some natural herbal products that do help 
some people, they are over the counter so no Doctor is needed. 


Dearest:    Pete, I'd like to do something for a couple of minutes. I'll 
throw out one word and you give me your immediate reaction. Ok?


Pete Hueseman:   ok 


Dearest:    Great. Here goes...Premarin


Pete Hueseman:   Synthetic hormone from horse urine, causes many unwanted 
side effects and large increase in cancer it seems. 


Dearest:    Ok, next... Tamoxifen.


Pete Hueseman:   It is used in breast cancer patients, to shut down 
estrogen secretion from the ovary and should to protect the breasts from 
too much estrogen. 


Dearest:    Fosomax.  Pete, an immediate reaction, not so much a 
definition.


Pete Hueseman:   Helps to treat osteoporosis.  Can be used in breast 
cancer patients.


Dearest:    Revival Soy Protein


Pete Hueseman:   Lowers cholesterol. Helps many women with menopause symptoms 


Dearest:    Red clover


Pete Hueseman:   Phytoestrogen


Dearest:    Prometrium


Pete Hueseman:   Progesterone in peanut oil 


Dearest:    Thanks, Pete :) That was fun.  Zmbz, go ahead, please.


Zmbz:   What do you know about the benefits of Arimidex vs. Tamoxifen? 


Pete Hueseman:   I am not familiar with arimidex. 


Dearest:    I’m not either. What is it, Zm?


Zmbz:   My oncologist put me on it after a breast ccancer recurrence at U 
of PA - like Tamoxifen.  


Dearest:    I see. Zm, write to me and I'll forward it to Power Surge's 
breast cancer specialist, ok?  Maybe Susan Love can help on that one.


Pete Hueseman:   I'm sure it works similar to Tamoxifen, but I will have 
to review the literature. 


VpsIII:   Should DES daughters use HRT, during and after menopause? 


Pete Hueseman:   Yes, they can.  Again, you must use low doses and be 
careful, and do check ups on schedule. 


NancyPS:   Pete I love the gel I am on/no hot flashes, but have profuse 
sweating when in extreme heat.  Is there anything to help adjust my 
thermostat?


Pete Hueseman:   It probably is just that - the heat, many people have the 
problem, not always hormone related but you may call me this week if you 
want to discuss it. 


NancyPS:  I didn’t have it pre-hysterectomy.  thanks =0)


Pete Hueseman:   I will have to think on that one some. 


Deronunn2:   Is there a better way or do you just have to try until you 
hit on what works for you?


Pete Hueseman:   The best way is to start with salvia testing to get a 
baseline.  Then we can help your Doctor with a good suggestion of where to 
start, and it is usually very close to what you need.  It may have to be 
fine tuned slightly over a month or two. 



PZukow:   Do you need a prescription for the herbal libido capsules? 


Pete Hueseman:   No, you do not. Just call on Tuesday and we can ship it 
to you. 


Dearest:    You can reach Pete at Bellevue Pharmacy at 1-800-728-0288.


Dearest:    Boza, your turn. Please make it brief. Thanks.  RCH, go ahead :)


RCHCTH:   Can Celebrex cause ringing in the ears? 


Pete Hueseman:   Probably, but I would have to review the literature, you 
may want to call the pharmacy where you got it from, tomorrow. 


JFedorchak:   Should I avoid phytoestrogens if I am afraid of the 
synthetic? 


Pete Hueseman:   No, I would not avoid them, they are better than nothing 
and very safe. 


Dearest:    Absolutely, JFedor.. you can also try Revival Soy Protein which 
is loaded with natural plant estrogens if you can't, or choose not to
take HRT.


MomaMia7:   What is your opinion on Climara? I had a Hysterectomy in April 
and have been on it since.  Thanks


Pete Hueseman:   It is a natural estrogen, called estradiol, we use lots 
of it, and it can be balanced with progesterone and testosterone if need 
be. 


Dearest:    Pete, share with us the different estrogens... like 17 beta 
estradiol, estrone, estriol and what they do for us, when we lose them and 
why and if they need to be replaced. Thanks.


Pete Hueseman:   Estradiol is lost mostly at menopause. It helps to 
protect the bones and heart long term, and for the short term it helps to 
solve hot flashes and the vasomotor symptoms.  

Estrone does the same and you lose it about the same time.  If it gets too 
high it can cause the midriff or pear shape.  

Estriol is highest during pregnancy, it seems to take up the receptor 
sites in the breast when given during menopause to help reduce breast 
tenderness and bloating and hopefully protect against 
breast cancer.   

Progesterone is lost first, therefore causing early periods and pms 
symptoms are worse, it is usually highest the second half of the cycle and 
during pregnancy.  It helps with many things, especially mood swings. This 
is it in a nutshell. 


Dearest:    Thanks, Pete.  GentleLeaves, go ahead.


GentleLeaves:   Thank you. Could you please suggest the lowest dose of HRT, 
such as estrodol & progestrone.  One more thing and maybe a basic multi-vitamin.


Pete Hueseman:   Probalbly the lowest I would recommend that would be 
mildly helpful would be triest .625 and progesterone 50 mg. A vitamin we recommend
for menopausal women is Women's Active Multi-vitamin. It's excellent. Dearest takes it.




GentleLeaves:   Thank you.  Doc, is that vitamin over the counter?


Pete Hueseman:   Yes it is, call on Tuesday. We can ship it to you. 


Dearest:    Pete, we could keep you here all night with questions :)  
There's another chat after ours, though.

Pete, thanks so much for joining us in Power Surge tonight to 
field our questions about naturally compounded hormones Anyone interested 
in talking with Pete about her particular menopausal issues can reach him 
at his toll-free number of 1-800-728-0288. 


ADamon3336:   Can you talk about the salvia test?


Pete Hueseman:   The saliva test is easy to use and very accurate.  It is 
good to get a baseline reading, maybe re-check in one to 3 months and then 
yearly thereafter to see how you are doing, Aeron labs can also test 
pyrilinks D for osteoporosis and for cortisol. 


RAHSON456:   At what age does menapause begin?


Dearest:    RAH, natural menopause can begin as early as your late 30's
and as late as your mid 50's.


ADamon3336:   Hope you have Pete again - Thanks


Dearest:    Pete, you recommend saliva tests over blood tests for more 
accurate hormone levels, yes?  


PianoMary:   ADamon - there are 4 transcripts of Pete's other chats 
you can read in the Power Surge Library


Pete Hueseman:   Yes I do recommend saliva now. I went to a lecture and 
learned a lot about it and its accuracy.

The saliva test can be ordered directly from me at Bellevue Pharmacy  
without a prescription, then we can help you with a suggestion that your 
doctor must order. 


Dearest:    Visit the award winning Web site at: www.power-surge.com. 
Pete, can you stay to answer a few more questions?


Pete Hueseman:   Yes, we can go on a little longer. 


LOVESD56:   Is breakthrough bleeding possible with phytoestrogens?


Pete Hueseman:   Breakthrough is usually not seen with the phytoestrogens, 
but not impossible to happen. 


RCHCTH:   Do you have a comment on ipriflavone and it's safety? 


Pete Hueseman:   I do not have a comment on it, but I also have not heard 
anything bad about it. 


LISAJODI:   Do phytoestrogens raise prolactin levels like estrogen does? 


Pete Hueseman:   I do not think so, never have seen it happen yet. 


Laffelady:   Does going back to work, stress, cause a person to need 
more estrogen?


Pete Hueseman:   Yes, very possibly it will. 


Laffelady:   I will be calling you on Tuesday.


Dearest: You can reach Pete at 1-800-728-0288


MomaMia7:   I notice hair loss after my hysterectomy. Is this unusual? 
Waiting for thyroid test. 


Pete Hueseman:   It is very common to lose hair after this surgery, 
should do hormone levels, and absolutely check on the thyroid level too. 


MomaMia7:   IS there a vitamin I could be taking from you?


Pete Hueseman:   Yes. Call to order it. 



LOVESD56:   Should I use anything else with the phytoestrogens to prevent 
the breakthrough bleeding?  Had to stop HRT because of the bleeding.  


Pete Hueseman:   Yes, I would use some natural progesterone for sure! 


LOVESD56:   Can I e-mail you?


Pete Hueseman:   Yes, at consultph@bpharmacysolutions.com  anytime you want to 
discuss something personal, and that goes for anyone else tool!   


DoubleLou1:   Can you recommend appetite suppressant?  I’ve used pondimin 
(worked well) and ionamin not so well.  I’m diabetic also.


Pete Hueseman:   I would advise you to discuss it with your doctor, you 
must be careful when a diabetic. 


ADamon3336:   What is the best way to approach your Doctor about natural HRT? 


Pete Hueseman:   I have a nice Doctor packet I can send you to pass on to 
your doctor. I advise doing this at least a week before your office visit, 
so the doctor has time to review it.  It is not good to just go in and pop 
something new on any doctor, then they aren't prepared to discuss it 
intelligently and seem very against it.  You all will have better luck 
with the doctors if you do it this way.


Shelly6xo:   Total hysterectomy here. Taking Premarin.  Do I need 
progest supplements too?


Pete Hueseman:   Officially you do not, but it definitely has other 
benefits other than protecting a uterus that is not there.  Please call me 
at work on Tuesday or Wednesday and I can tell you all about it. 


Dearest:    Thanks for staying late, Pete. We really appreciate it.
Thanks to all of you for coming.. and let's thank PETE HUESEMAN again :)


Pete Hueseman:   Thanks for having me, it is always fun and a pleasure, 
hope Dearest will schedule me again soon!




Read Pete Hueseman's first transcript
Read Pete Hueseman's second transcript
Read Pete Hueseman's third transcript
Read Pete Hueseman's fourth transcript
Read Pete Hueseman's sixth transcript
Read Pete Hueseman's seventh transcript
Read Pete Hueseman's eighth transcript
Read Pete Hueseman's ninth transcript
Read Pete Hueseman's tenth transcript
Read Pete Hueseman's eleventh transcript
Read Pete Hueseman's twelfth transcript
Read Pete Hueseman's thirteenth transcript
Read Pete Hueseman's fourteenth transcript
Read Pete Hueseman's fifteenth transcript
Read Pete Hueseman's sixteenth transcript
Read Pete Hueseman's seventeenth transcript
Read Pete Hueseman's eighteenth transcript
Read Pete Hueseman's nineteenth transcript
Read Pete Hueseman's twentieth transcript
Read Pete Hueseman's twenty first transcript
Read Pete Hueseman's twenty second transcript


Disclaimer:  Every guest in Power Surge is a highly respected professional whose
opinions are his/her own. An appearance in Power Surge does not constitute an 
endorsement of a guest's views.

None of these transcripts may be reprinted or reproduced without 
the express permission of Power Surge™ and the respective guest.

Read other transcripts by returning to the Library.


Dearest
aka Alice Stamm
Power Surge
Founder, Facilitator, Host


Copyright©1994-2009 by Power Surge.  All Rights Reserved.