| HEALTHY HAPPENINGS - June 2026
|
“The Hormone Myth That Refuses to Die”
by Ray Andrew, MD
|
|
Sharon told me she felt as if she had aged fifteen years almost overnight. Her energy was gone. Her motivation was gone. She no longer felt like herself. Like many women who come to Prestige Wellness Institute for the first time, however, she did not want “hormones.”
“Tell me about that,” I said.
“I don’t want cancer,” she replied.
Much of the time I spend across the desk from patients is devoted to clearing up misconceptions that simply refuse to die. Many women have been taught for decades that “hormones” cause cancer. This fear was heavily reinforced by the widely publicized Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) study that made headlines in 2002, after which millions of women were abruptly taken off hormone replacement therapy. The concern was further amplified by the fact that many breast cancers contain estrogen receptors that can stimulate tumor growth.
Part of the confusion is that very different substances are often grouped together under the single word “hormones”—including synthetic drugs that behave very differently from the body’s own natural hormones.
Medical organizations responded by issuing clinical guidelines that quickly became the standard of care throughout the United States. Most physicians understandably accepted these recommendations without personally reviewing the enormous and evolving body of medical literature behind them.
Women were commonly told:
• to use the lowest possible hormone dose
• to stop hormone therapy as soon as possible
• that oral formulations were safest
• that older women should avoid hormones
• that women at higher risk should not use them at all
Since 2002, however, the original conclusions of the WHI have been disproved. Moreover, a growing body of research has further put the nail in the coffin of those flawed conclusions.
Studies have demonstrated that properly prescribed bio-identical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT):
• reduces risk of osteoporosis
• improves cognitive function
• reduces cardiovascular risk
• improves quality of life
• lowers rates of frailty and muscle loss
• reduces several major diseases associated with aging
Some studies have even shown reductions in overall mortality among women using appropriately managed BHRT.
Menopause is not simply aging. It is one of the most abrupt biochemical shifts the human body ever undergoes. When ovarian hormone production rapidly declines, the effects are felt throughout the body—including the brain, heart, bones, muscles, skin, metabolism, and blood vessels.
If you were to graph the rates of osteoporosis, dementia, heart disease, metabolic dysfunction, and many other chronic diseases across a woman’s lifespan, you would notice something important: these conditions do not merely rise gradually from birth onward. Instead, many accelerate significantly after menopause.
There is a reason for this.
The hormones produced by healthy ovaries—primarily estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone—play important protective roles throughout the body.
When doctors talk about “hormones” in menopause management, it is important to clarify terms. We are not referring to thyroid hormones, adrenal hormones, or other signaling chemicals. We are specifically referring to the sex steroids produced by the ovaries.
Optimal hormone replacement begins with using hormones that are biologically identical to those naturally produced by the human body. This is why we use bio-identical estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone rather than synthetic look-alike drugs. The body recognizes a significant difference between them.
The method of delivery also matters.
When estrogen or testosterone is taken by mouth, it passes directly through the liver and can trigger inflammatory effects that may increase long-term cardiovascular risk. Progesterone behaves differently and is often best administered orally. For estrogen and testosterone, however, non-oral delivery systems are preferred.
Dose matters as well.
Many women have been prescribed hormone doses that are just high enough to slightly reduce hot flashes while leaving many of the broader physiologic benefits unrealized. The goal should not merely be surviving menopause. The goal is preserving vitality, cognition, strength, metabolic health, and long-term resilience.
The timing of treatment appears important too. Research demonstrates that women experience greater benefit when BHRT is started earlier rather than waiting until symptoms become intolerable. Some large studies have demonstrated significant reductions in dementia risk among women who begin therapy earlier and continue appropriately supervised treatment long term.
Women are often told to fear hormones while simultaneously watching their health decline after losing them.
Of course, hormone therapy is not one-size-fits-all, and important exceptions exist.
For example, in women with active estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer, estrogen (but not testosterone) therapy may need to be delayed until the cancer is adequately treated or in remission. Every patient requires individualized evaluation based on personal history, risk factors, symptoms, and goals.
Another critical issue is receptor function.
Hormones are signaling molecules. But signaling only works if the receiving cells can properly hear the message. Hormone receptors can become less responsive in the presence of chronic inflammation, nutrient deficiencies, toxins, mold exposure, heavy metals, poor metabolic health, and other physiologic stressors.
This is one reason some patients do not experience optimal results from hormone therapy alone.
Hormone signaling also depends on adequate levels of nutrients such as magnesium, zinc, iodine, boron, vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin B6. Unfortunately, standard blood tests often fail to reveal what is happening inside the cells themselves, where these nutrients are actually needed. More advanced testing can provide a clearer picture.
In summary, Sharon doesn’t need to worry about getting cancer from hormones. Instead, she needs to worry about getting cancer—and a lot of other problems—from NOT starting hormone replacement.
Like Sharon, you deserve clear answers based on current evidence—not fear, outdated headlines, or internet confusion.
If you are entering menopause, already in menopause, or simply trying to better understand your options, and would like guidance sorting through the conflicting information surrounding hormones and healthy aging, call Prestige Wellness Institute at (435) 259-4466 in Southeastern Utah or (435) 210-0184 along the Wasatch Front.
You do not have to live in fear of this stage of life. With the right guidance, many women discover they can feel healthier, sharper, stronger, and more vibrant than they have in years.
|
Men’s Health Matters: What Every Man Should Know
by Hospital Staff
|
 Men face serious health challenges throughout life, and June is Men’s Health Month — a good time to focus on prevention, screenings, and healthy habits. National health data show men are more likely than women to delay medical care and skip routine check‑ups, which can lead to serious health issues going unnoticed until they become advanced. Regular preventive care helps catch problems early and makes them easier to treat.
Top Health Concerns for Men
Heart Disease
Heart disease remains the leading cause of death among men in the United States. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, poor diet, and inactivity all increase risk. Regular annual check‑ups help monitor these risk factors and prevent serious events like heart attacks and strokes before they happen.
Cancer
Men are at risk for multiple cancers. Prostate cancer is common in older men, and colon cancer risk increases with age. Skin and lung cancers also remain serious health threats. Early detection through screenings and awareness of changes in your body can save lives.
Diabetes & Metabolic Health
Men are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than women, and diabetes increases the risk of heart and kidney disease. Regular screening, especially after age 35, can identify high blood sugar early and allow lifestyle changes or treatment to reduce complications and protect long-term health.
Mental Health & Substance Use
True health includes mental and emotional well-being. Men are often less likely to talk to a doctor about stress, anxiety, depression, or coping with substance use. However, addressing your mental well-being and asking for support with alcohol or medication dependence is a sign of strength, not weakness. Talking to a professional can significantly improve your day-to-day quality of life and lower long-term physical health risks.
What Men Can Do at Every Age
Teens & 20s:
Build a relationship with a primary care provider early. Start annual check‑ups, learn about safe lifestyle habits, and get baseline measurements for blood pressure and body mass index.
30s & 40s:
Continue yearly check‑ups. Monitor blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar. Talk with your provider about cancer screenings that may begin in your 40s, such as colorectal cancer screening around age 45.
50s & Beyond:
Keep up regular screenings for prostate, colon, and skin cancer. Stay active, maintain a healthy diet, and work with your provider to manage chronic conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes.
Across all ages, healthy habits such as regular physical activity, balanced nutrition, quitting tobacco, limiting alcohol, and keeping annual check‑ups help lower the risk of chronic diseases.
Men’s Health Services at Moab Regional Hospital
Moab Regional Hospital provides comprehensive primary care and specialty services to support men’s health close to home. Family medicine providers and visiting specialists offer preventive care, screenings, treatment of chronic conditions, and urgent care when needed. Services include cardiovascular assessments, diabetes monitoring, cancer screening, mental health support, and more.
Whether you need a routine physical, a cancer screening, or help managing a chronic condition, making an appointment with a provider is a strong step toward long‑term health. Preventive care and early detection often make conditions easier to treat and manage.
To schedule care or ask about screenings, call Moab Regional Hospital at 435-719-3500 or contact the Family Medicine Clinic at 435-719-5500.
Men’s Health Month is a Reminder
Men often wait until symptoms are serious before seeing a doctor, but early and regular preventive care helps detect problems sooner and improve outcomes. This Men’s Health Month, make a check‑up appointment, talk with your healthcare provider about the screenings you need, and make healthy habits a priority for life.
-sharpened.jpg) |
 |
|
|
