26 Oct 26 OCTOBER 2023 WOMEN’S HEALTH Q&A
In this session, we addressed the following two questions:
- I have heard ….that [the, “pregnenolone steal” theory] has been debunked as a myth because there are different tissue “zones” where pregnenolone is produced that mean there are different reserves for different hormones (ie so that pregnenolone meant for progesterone can’t be allocated for DHEA production, etc). What is Dr. Welch’s latest understanding of this effect?
- I have struggled with Identity, ego [ahaṅkāra] vs dharma [“personal ethics”–one of the 4 aims of life, along with artha–stuff that makes us feel secure, kāma–desire, and mokṣa–liberation]. I’d love to have that be a topic in the near future!!!!!!!!! I think many, many people struggle with this.
Dr. Welch referred to the following two papers, in regards to debunking the, “pregnanalone steal” theory:
https://www.zrtlab.com/blog/archive/reassessing-pregnenolone-steal/
https://drfionand.com/pregnenolone-steal-closer-look-popular-concept/
Dr. Welch quoted this from that second article: “There is a situation where stress will lower the production of estrogen and progesterone: Hypothalamic Amenorrhea. Again, however, this is not related to the stealing of pregnenolone precursor but is triggered by the brain’s perception of the environment in a larger sense.”
We also discussed the limitations of the ELITE and KEEPS studies, which suggest that 5ish years of HRT taken around the time of menopause may have fewer risks and greater rewards than taking HRT later.