ask: Did you happen to see Oprah's show on Menopause and HRT?

I thought Oprah's show was a fabulous first volley in what is such a complicated, multi-layered issue. And I thought they were right to constantly emphasize that every woman needs to ask the questions for herself, do the research for herself and make a decision with her doctors for herself.

I think Dr. Christiane Northrup's book, The Wisdom of Menopause, is a gift. The first time I paged through it at the bookstore, I picked it up and bought it. Never had I seen so much vital, usable, understandable information in one place on exactly the questions I had about perimenopause and, later, menopause. She, I think, is an awesome source for Oprah to feature and I hope we see more of her as these programs progress.

I think Robin McGraw (Dr. Phil's wife) is someone who can get women to listen. She's personable and she's had a multi-year journey with her hormones that I find interesting. However, not every woman can afford to do what she's been able to do -- seek out the best doctors, see them again and again, have her hormones tested every way possible (blood, urine, saliva), and then afford bioidentical hormones. What I felt during her part of the show was two things: Intense interest in her experience, and disappointment in the fact that what is such a natural process in women is such a pain to get treated correctly for each individual.

I will say this: The women on the show who were being treated with bioidentical hormones did, in fact, seem to have amazing reactions to them -- and quickly. They looked great, spoke of having energy and drive, and felt younger in their appearances and in their spirit.

If a person missed the show and would like to catch up:

http://www.oprah.com/slideshow/oprahshow/20090114_tows_hormone

http://www.oprah.com/article/health/womenshealth/20090115_bioidenticals