Suzanne Somers’s Legacy – Bioidentical Hormone Therapy

Dr. Paul Savage is a world-renowned longevity expert known for being one of the first doctors to treat his patients with bioidentical hormone therapy dating back to the late 1990s. His health journey led him to try hormone therapy on himself. He realized it could be a game-changing option for people, so he decided to take action.

At that time, Suzanne Somers, an American actor, and health advocate, was using bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT). She openly discussed her positive experiences with BHRT, which included:

• Relief of menopausal symptoms, including hot flashes and mood swings
• Improved her quality of life, including increased energy and strength, improved mood, and better overall health.

One of Dr. Savage’s proudest moments was when Suzanne Somers reached out to him for guidance on hormone therapy. Their bond grew so strong that she showcased him as a top doctor in her book, Ageless, focusing on bioidentical hormones. Which, of course, Dr. Savage accepted.

To anyone reading this wondering why hormone therapy is so great, let me break it down.

Hormone therapy is essential for women (especially menopausal women) and men. It’s a known fact that as we age, our hormones decline. An imbalance of hormones can lead to several health problems. Including:

• Decreased bone density
• Irregular sleep and insomnia
• Hair loss
• Weight gain or weight loss
• Insulin resistance
• Changes in energy levels
• Declining mental health such as anxiety or depression
• Impacts heart health, influencing blood pressure and cholesterol levels
• + More

Balanced hormones are important for good health, as they regulate many functions in the body.

Nowadays, there are many resources to receive BHRT online. However, consulting with a qualified healthcare professional to discuss your hormone replacement therapy (HRT) options is highly recommended. There is not a one-size-fits-all solution to HRT. You need to make sure you are using the right supplements to decrease your risk of side effects or cancer.

Dr. Savage says, “one of the most wonderful things Suzanne did with her platform was advocating for bioidentical hormone therapy. Even when she was diagnosed with breast cancer, she never blamed the hormone therapy. In fact, she believed that the hormone therapy helped her live a longer and healthier life, and I completely agree with her.”

Suzanne passed away peacefully this past October 2023, one day before her 77th birthday. She fought an aggressive form of breast cancer for over 23 years.

Somers said in an interview with Entertainment Tonight in July 2023 that doctors said her “chemical-free” and organic lifestyle helped support her health. “My doctors said that if I didn’t lead a chemical-free life, supported by bio-identical hormones, I would not likely be here today,” she said. Source: prevention.com

There is an ongoing debate about the association between hormone therapy and the increased risk of certain cancers, such as breast cancer. However, these risks vary depending on factors such as the type of hormones and the duration of therapy.

The controversy started when the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) released the results of the first HRT clinical trial in 2002, , claiming that HRT had more detrimental than beneficial effects on postmenopausal women. The study’s negative results of HRT being linked to breast cancer received wide publicity from the media, creating panic and putting a pause on HRT altogether.

Four years later, in 2006, Dr. Leon Speroff, author of the textbook on hormones and women, professor of obstetrics and gynecology and reproductive endocrinology at Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, said in an interview, “The initial negative impact of the Women’s Health Initiative is over, we know the study’s limitations, we know that some of the conclusions promoted in the media were not correct, and we know that the risks that the Women’s Health Initiative has promoted are incredibly small and perhaps not real.”

Dr. Speroff says, “the possibility remains that exposure to estrogen and progestin may actually be beneficial, causing greater differentiation and earlier detection and better outcomes.”

A retired breast cancer surgeon, Dr. Rebecca Glaser, is currently involved in research on testosterone (T) therapy by pellet implant and its impact on health and breast cancer prevention. She has evaluated over 1,500 breast cancer patients and she says, “it is possible that continuous, subcutaneous testosterone and anastrozole (an aromatase inhibitor) could help prevent cancer in high-risk women, and recurrences in breast cancer survivors.”

The founder and CEO of MDLifespan, Dr. Paul Savage, an expert on hormone therapy and longevity medicine, agrees and states, “Natural hormones do not cause cancer.” He continues, “Bioidentical hormone therapy can help delay Alzheimer’s Disease, provide comfort to women going through menopause, and is a powerful anti-inflammatory.” One last note from Dr. Savage, “when a woman encounters a health issue, such as breast cancer, it is important to evaluate their hormone therapy plan, which may include stopping the estrogen therapy.”

While choosing the right hormone therapy can be beneficial for women fighting breast cancer, at the end of the day, the best chance you have of beating the disease is by catching it as early as possible.

Western medicine doctors and the media are always promoting bi-annual mammogram screenings for women starting at the age of 50. Or if you have a family history of breast cancer, some health insurance companies will approve a mammogram test as early as the age of 40. However, is 40 years old early enough? Dr. Savage believes women should be more proactive about their health and start screening for breast cancer in their mid-20s.

Screening options for early detection of breast cancer include:

• Breast Ultrasound – An excellent option for women worried about radiation, especially if they are pregnant. This is the machine that helped Suzanne Somers discover her cancer.
• Breast MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) – More sensitive than a mammogram and a great option for women with dense breast tissue. You can add a breast MRI to a Full Body Scan with MDLifespan.
• Liquid Biopsy – A simple blood test that can find signs of cancer in the body years before the patient experiences symptoms, or a mass is found on a mammogram.

A mammogram is a great tool to detect cancer. This article is not trying to say otherwise. All we are trying to do is educate women on the options they have for early cancer detection. Dr. Savage urges women to “just choose the best detection method for you and repeat it often. It can save your life.”

Dr. Savage may not be able to call Suzanne anymore, but he does have a final message that he would like to say. “Suzanne was a brave and passionate woman. Getting to know her while working on her book Ageless, was like discovering a rare and beautiful tapestry woven with threads of kindness, wisdom, and a warmth that made every moment spent with her a true treasure. She was an authentic, powerful, and determined change-maker. I feel privileged to have known her.”