Dr. Melinda Ring draws from her background in integrative medicine as well as Western medicine to offer the best possible treatments to her patients. Her philosophy is that she and her patient become partners in healing.
Dr. Ring believes bioidentical hormones rather than synthetic hormones are appropriate for women looking for hormone replacement. In her opinion if hormone replacement is needed, it makes sense that the replacement be as close to the original as possible.
(Transcribed from video interview)
Dr. Ring:
I prefer bioidentical hormones not because there’s any evidence that says it’s any safer or has less risk than synthetics. In fact, there isn’t. We have to assume bioidenticals have the same risks and benefits as synthetic hormones. But I think for many women, the idea of, if we’re replacing a hormone, which is such an important part of our body, that affects every organ in our body, you want to use what’s supposed to be there.
Hormones work like a lock and a key. So, if you are putting a key into that lock that doesn’t fit exactly right, we don’t know that it’s going to work exactly the right way, and so, why not, when we have the options, either through now, a prescription form, or through a compounding pharmacy, why not use that key that’s made to fit into the lock appropriately.
About Dr. Ring, M.D.:
Melinda Ring, M.D., is an Integrative Medicine physician at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Dr. Ring believes the patient and physician are partners in the healing process. She uses evidence-based approaches from other cultures to complement Western medicine treatment and stimulates the body's innate healing abilities. Her philosophy embraces treating the whole person, physical, emotional and spiritual dimensions, to achieve optimal health. Dr. Ring received her medical degree from the University of Chicago/Pritzker School of Medicine and has been practicing medicine since 1997.
Visit Dr. Ring at http://nmpg.com/default.aspx?article=Bios/MRing.1.xml
Video:
https://www.empowher.com/media/video/why-do-you-prefer-bioidentical-hormones-dr-ring-video