What Would You Say?

Jeanne’s Story

This is an email I received from a special friend. I am sharing portions of my response to her. If you have advice or thoughts please click on "comments” and share.

Jeanne's Email:

     Your project sounds very innovative and important. I don't know how I could contribute but I would like to know more. I never thought much about contraceptives or how we go about making decisions. Your story reminded me of mine. As 20 year old graduating nursing students, a friend and I went to Planned Parenthood to get birth control since we were soon to get married. We were given birth control pills which I took for the next four years. When I moved to another area and had a new doctor, he told me I should not be on birth control pills for more than 4 years. He recommended an IUD (copper 7 at the time) which I had inserted. I had an IUD inserted after my pregnancy at age 32 and still have the same IUD in my body.

     I am SO conscientious about nutrition and exercise, but after reading your short story, you have me wondering and wanting to know more about my own reproductive history and that of my daughter and daughter in laws.

I just bought something called Phyto Prolief cream from Arbonne and really wonder if it could cause harm to me. It is supposed to be a natural progesterone but has a warning on it that the product contains a chemical that the State of California has deemed to cause cancer! Makes me wonder how they can sell it if this is true. Do you know anything about this? I have not started using it yet because I am not sure if it could be harmful.

Is it better to find a doctor who prescribes bio-identical hormones? I have been thinking about this for several years, but have not made the move to do so. I read a lot of information from holistic doctors and am pretty negative on conventional therapies and most drugs and have no faith in the FDA. Anyway, great to see your excellent project. You never know how one can connect!

My Response to Jeanne

     Wow Jeanne...first of all thank you for your story. Listening to your gut instinct is right where you should be. Honestly...if a woman doesn't have to use anything in her body I think that is best. That said some women really suffer with perimenopausal/postmenopausal symptoms. If the State of California has put out a warning, I'd stay away from the cream.But that's just my opinion for me. I had an interesting experience ... when in Australia I found some lanolin cream that I loved and brought a few jars home with me. Our little granddaughter had dry skin, and I thought it would be a great product to use... remember we give lanolin to moms to put on their nipples. But I had also recently heard that the sheep are dipped in pesticides and now people are wondering about lanolin. I emailed the company wondering if the product was safe for a four-month-old. The PRESIDENT emailed back and said I shouldn't use the product because the rules are so much more stringent for children than for adults. So now I'm wondering, what the heck, why aren't they stringent for all of us???

     As far as going to doctors who prescribe "stuff" …it seems to be so individual. A friend of mine does work with a naturopathic doctor in Flagstaff...this woman is one of my first guests...her menstrual issues were totally, TOTALLY turned around by this person who uses Chinese medicine and nutrition. This is a woman I've known for 30 years, long, poignant story with her...and I trust what she says.