Question: I have been to see a hormone doctor and now have the Mirena Coil fitted, which releases a hormone to help me with my menopause symptoms. I can’t tell you about the benefits as I haven’t noticed any, but I’ll give anything a chance if it helps. I’m also taking Noriday now. I feel like im going around in circles. Do you have any thoughts?

Larry’s Response: I understand your frustration. You’re one of THOUSANDS of women being treated with drugs for symptoms that are far easier to address naturally. However, using a drug like Noriday can actually make matters worse – and sometimes make it difficult to correct them even after stopping the drug. Prescriptions for drugs like Noriday are common and the accepted treatment form for practically all menopause-related “problems”. They present their own list of symptoms and might even worsen the symptoms you are trying to resolve.

I have concluded that only a tiny number of people ever need additional estrogen, yet that is the most common suggestion for treatment. Birth control pills and conjugated estrogens have been used for a long time. They are the norm, yet unnecessary. “Everyone” BELIEVES that women always need estrogen at menopause. That’s false, yet still believed by doctors and lay people alike. It is all but impossible to confront a belief with fact. Facts seem to always take a back seat to beliefs. I find it very difficult to find people who agree with me about how estrogens are unnecessary.

In the past I would always suggest hormone tests, like the saliva test. Over the years I found that nearly everyone had the same set of symptoms (in different amounts) and that they were practically all associated with hormone imbalance. That’s something that is relatively easy to address. Yes, a hormone test can help. But, so can using progesterone as a supplement without bothering with the cost of a test. I must point out, though, that progesterone supplements would not likely help if a person is also using any synthetic hormone products, such as birth control pills (Noriday, for example).

Please do not stop taking Noriday without discussing it with the doctor who ordered it.