therapy spotlight

The FDA purports that compounding pharmacies are dangerous, unregulated and use items that are too complicated to compound. Not true. Compounding pharmacists are skilled professionals at mixing bioidentical hormones to a doctor’s prescription. I’ve successfully been using compounding pharmacies for more than 30 years. A compounding pharmacist should be part of the health team when natural, bioidentical hormones are prescribed. Their knowledge can provide a wealth of experience for doctor and the patient. Furthermore, they provide an invaluable service at manufacturing a safe product that is unique for a particular patient.

Hormones are so critical that even if you’re prescribed HRT, it’s better than losing out for decades on the hormone signals that keep your body younger and less inflamed. To be without healthy hormone signals is an aging and pro-inflammatory process to the body. In other words, get hormones any way you can. While synthetic is better than nothing, bioidentical trumps synthetic.

Synthetic hormones are altered by pharmaceutical companies to make them profitable. Bioidentical hormones are like those made by the body and designed by Mother Nature.

DrLindseyBerkson.com offers a podcast archive, blog, newsletter and membership opportunities that include live, monthly, Zoom conversations.

Linda Sechrist is a senior staff writer for Natural Awakenings.

therapy spotlight

Straight Talk About the Mouth and Hormones

Health care for cycles. Artificial hormone women is unique therapies, especially those and it is of utmost containing progesterone, importance that women see cause similar symptoms. healthcare providers that These hormones create an are aware of how hormones exaggerated inflammatory can directly influence the response due to the dental health of their mouths and, plaques in the mouth. There in turn, their bodies. This is also evidence that the use is a vital discussion with of synthetic estrogen horpatients at Dexter Dental mones can lead to decreased Studio. Dr. Sophia Cornish Dr. Sophia Cornish (L) and Dr. levels of natural estrogen, says, “Our patients know Piiamari Bowers which is associated with that they are not alone, these symptoms are TMJ disorders. common and we are here to help. We focus on Pregnancy is an exciting time when a and understand these hormonal connections woman’s hormones are in hyperdrive. It is and can offer help and guidance to keep you commonly recommended to be seen at more healthy throughout life.” frequent intervals during pregnancy to help

Jaw pain and gum disease are more fight pregnancy gingivitis and periodontal common in women. According to a study disease. “Don’t let anyone tell you that ‘It’s just published in the journal Odontology, fluctu- pregnancy gingivitis.’ The bacteria from your ating levels of estrogen during childbearing mouth can get into the bloodstream and cross age potentiates facial pain, and high estrogen to the baby!” notes Cornish. Periodontitis has levels during pregnancy promote gingivitis. been associated with poor pregnancy outcomes, Low levels of estrogen during menopause including preterm birth and low birth weight. predisposes TMJ dysfunction and increases Finally, there is a huge shift in a woman’s the risk of bone loss and gum disease. “Wom- life during menopause. This brings changes en are at greater risk for oral complications to oral health, as well. During menopause, from hormonal changes, and it is important women may experience altered taste, burning that we start talking about it,” says Cornish. mouth syndrome, decreased salivary flow

Beginning with puberty, there is an influx contributing to dry mouth and bone loss, of hormones. Girls may experience inflamed, resulting in a higher prevalence of periodonred gums that bleed easily, even with good tal disease. During this time, women are homecare. When their oral hygiene is less also likely to see a drop in their soft palate, than ideal, gums can become overgrown due which results in sleep apnea. Cornish advises, to the toxins in dental plaque. Focusing on “Because this is often underdiagnosed, it is prevention includes a good oral hygiene rou- important to have a dental practitioner that tine and eating a nutrient-dense diet, avoiding will screen for apnea. All the providers at processed foods and those with sugar, refined Dexter Dental Studio are airway advocates carbohydrates and vegetable oils. and committed to total body health.”

Oral contraceptives cause women’s hormones to fluctuate greatly, which causes them Dexter Dental Studio is located at 7300 to experience red, swollen gums, an increase in Dexter Ann Arbor Rd., Ste. 300, in Dexter. canker sores, swollen salivary glands and even For appointments and more information, call bleeding gums at a higher rate. Women may 734-426-8360 or visit DexterDentalStudio. even notice this tracking with their monthly com. See ad page 24.