The history behind today's HRT is very interesting. The original hormone

therapy for women was titled Estrogen Replacement Therapy or ERT. It was

introduced in the early 1960's and was made entirely of estrogen. It was

touted as being the "cure all" for women's problems...until a little snag

was discovered. In 1975 the New England Journal of Medicine, Dec. issue,

published it's findings. Women who took ERT increased their chance of

endometrial or uterine cancer by 5 times, unless they had used the drug 7

years, then their chances increased to 14 times (That's 1400%!)!

Back to the drawing boards for the pharmaceutical companies. A "progestin"

was combined with the estrogen thus the ERT was renamed HRT for Hormone

Replacement Therapy. It did slow down the chance of uterine cancer, but in

2002 the Women's Health Initiative Study showed an increase of breast

cancer by 26%, strokes by 41%, blood clots by 113% and heart attacks by 29%.

Hmmmmm. How did it come to be that one of the most commonly prescribed

drugs in the US was used for decades before its long-term effects were

studied scientifically? If these statistics are true (and they are conservative in the numbers) think of the women between 1975 and 2002 that were treated...that's a scary thought.

Unicity has a broad line of products addressing women's health issues

safely and naturally.

The Women's Core Pack is for women of every age and

will supply all the nutrients and phytoestrogens necessary for optimal

health.

Wild Yam Cream is advised for pre and post menopausal women.

Meno Basics is a safe way to add additional phytoestrogens as a woman goes

through mid life changes.

Meno Essentials supports bone density, nourishes

the reproductive system, and helps maintain healthy cholesterol levels.

Meno Blend relieves symptoms associated with menopause and perimenopause,

including hot flashes, anxiety, irritability, nausea and night sweats. Some

women may need to add Red Clover. Every woman is unique. Some respond

better to the phytoestrogens in Red Clover, others to the Black Cohosh in

Meno Basics. Each woman must determine what works best for her. Keep in

mind, all of these estrogen supplements should be balanced using Wild Yam

Cream.

All women should be proactive in the prevention of bone loss, which can

lead to Osteopenia and Osteoporosis. Bone is not a hard and lifeless

structure - rather, it is a complex, living tissue that completely

regenerates about every eight years. Calcium is constantly being deposited

in and removed from bones. In order to maintain proper bone strength and

structure, it is vital to keep deposition and removal of calcium in

balance. BoneMate contains ingredients clinically shown to strengthen bones

and slow bone loss. With BoneMate you don't have to worry about what you

eat or stay upright for 30 minutes, as with some of the prescription

products--word to the wise--"beware".

We live with the rewards and consequences of our decisions. Please take the

time to educate yourself and be informed. Thousands of women have lost

weight, regulated their menstrual cycles, reduced the size of fibroid

cysts, found relief from menopausal symptoms, and have had many other

positive results in their lives using the natural HRT products available

through Unicity Network.

* * * * *

Medscape Alert - FDA Approves New HRT Warning Label

Jeanie Davis, staff correspondent for WebMD

Reviewed by Gary D. Vogin, MD Jan. 8, 2003 —

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has asked that all labels on estrogen and estrogen-progestin replacement therapy be revised to carry a boxed warning, stating the increased risks for heart disease, heart attacks, strokes, and breast cancer. The warning also emphasizes that these products are not approved for heart disease prevention.

"We have approved all new labeling for Wyeth Pharmaceuticals for Prempro,

Premarin, and Premphase," said FDA spokesperson Pam Winbourne, in a

teleconference with reporters. "All other manufacturers are being faxed

letters asking them to revise their labels in a similar fashion.

"We believe that different estrogens and progestins act similarly, and in

absence of data otherwise, women need to assume the risk with other

estrogens and progestins are similar," said Ms. Winbourne. "Other studies

do show that estrogens and progestins are associated with these same side

effects."

The label also urges that physicians prescribe the lowest doses of

estrogens and estrogen-progestin products and for the shortest duration to

achieve treatment goals.

The label changes reflect findings from the Women's Health Initiative

(WHI), "a landmark study that found overall health risks for estrogen with

progestin — particularly for invasive breast cancer, heart attacks, blood

clots — and that these risks exceeded benefits of fracture and colon cancer

risk reduction," said Ms. Winbourne.

The FDA also conducted its own review of data from the WHI, and confirmed

the study's findings. "We are assuring that labels...have accurate

information as uncovered by the WHI," she said.

The black-box warning asks that decisions about using hormone replacement

therapy balance the benefits and potential risks. "Our actions also include

new guidance for conduct of clinical trials developing products for

vasomotor symptoms and vulvar and vaginal atrophy," Ms. Winbourne added,

including treatment of the following specific conditions:

Moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes and night sweats). "The

FDA still believes that these products are highly effective and very

valuable in treating moderate to severe symptoms of hot flashes and night

sweats," said Ms. Winbourne. "These symptoms can be very disruptive and

often can only be controlled by estrogen products. That will not change."

Vaginal and vulvar atrophy. The new label states that when estrogen

products are being considered only for this condition, topical vaginal

products should be considered.

Prevention of osteoporosis. The new label states that when prescribing

solely for prevention of osteoporosis, estrogen should only be considered

for women at significant risk of osteoporosis — and that nonestrogen

treatments such as bisphosphonates should be carefully considered.

Some 6.5 million women in the U.S. now take some form of hormone

replacement therapy, Winbourne said.

* * * * *

Should women use Estrogen Replacement Therapy (ERT) or Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)?

ERT should only be used for women without a uterus, since it

has been shown to increase the risk of uterine cancer. According to the

FDA, HRT is to be used only for vasomotor symptoms and possibly

osteoporosis if the person is very high risk. But, in all cases, for as

short a time and small a dose as possible. These reasons make Unicity

Network's natural HRT options even more attractive.

Does our Wild Yam Cream contain the recommended 35-40 mg. of progesterone

when used as directed?

YES

Many people do not want to take multiple products. Can a post menopausal

woman expect to get relief from hot flashes by using Wild Yam Cream and

Meno Blend, without using Meno Essentials?

Meno Blend is a homeopathic medicine formulated for the temporary relief of symptoms associated with menopause. A woman would need to use Meno Essentials, Women’s Formula Plus, or Core Health for Women to benefit from the phytoestrogens. They should always use the Wild Yam Cream to balance the estrogen.

What are the directions for using Wild Yam Cream? Is it different for post

menopausal women versus pre-menopausal? Where should it be applied?

When using progesterone you are seeking normal physiological replacement.

Pre Menopause (women in their reproductive years) should use Wild Yam Cream

during the second half of the menstrual cycle, for two weeks. Day 1 is the first day of your menses. Day 14-26 - use 1/4 tsp daily. This is best divided into a morning and evening application.

Peri Menopause (women who are still cycling but having cycle changes) Day 1-7 - do not use any replacement. Day 8-30 - use 1/4 tsp daily. This is best divided into a morning and evening application.

If you do not have a menses that month begin following the post menopause

guidelines. It you start your menses on schedule or begin early STOP the

progesterone and begin the above instructions again.

Post Menopause (women no longer having a monthly cycle) Choose a calendar day. The first day of the month is easiest. Day 1-25-----use 1/4 tsp daily. This is best divided into a morning and evening application. Day 26-30-----Do not use the progesterone cream.

Suggested Use: To apply: measure the cream (it is usually the size of an

English pea on the end of your finger). Rub into areas of fatty tissue with

high capillary access, (i.e. the inner arms, breast, chest and neck areas.

Rotate the areas where applied).

The above are general recommendations that should be confirmed or modified

in concert with your health care professional. These statements are not

intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent a disease. If under medical

care seek the advice of your physician.

* * * * * * * * * *

Lori Finlay Hamilton, MS, APRN ,C.S.

Cardiology Nurse Practitioner / Health Consultant

I have had years of hormone problems and was in full blown premature

menopause at the age of 42. I was experiencing about every symptom you can

imagine and frankly feeling pretty awful. I began a holistic health plan

and was progressing very slowly. When I started the Wild Yam Cream, I felt

much better and began menstruating again (after a 16 month cessation). My

sleep problems improved, and thus, my mood as well . In addition, I have

struggled losing a few pounds in the last year, in spite of adding more

exercise to my routine. After adding Wild Yam Cream, the weight is coming off. I have also used this product with several female clients/patients that I

consult with and they have reported great benefits, in as little as 2 days.

Their sleep improved, their hot flashes have decreased and their moods

stabilized. Moreover, I was so proud and thrilled this week to be able to

recommend it to my teenage nieces who were about to be prescribed birth

control for irregular/ painful periods. Wow! I love this product! It is

wonderful to know that I can use and recommend a product I know is

efficacious and will work!

* * * * *

Dr. Stewart Lonky

Internal, Pulmonary, Critical Care Medicine

I'd like to review some points about Meno-Basics and the kind of role it's

played in our lives at home.

My wife, Marilyn, has been taking Meno Basics for over two years. She

started taking Meno Basics after having problems with obvious menopausal

symptoms, to which her own gynecologist recommended estrogen. With her

mother having died of breast cancer, she was not likely to take regular

estrogen compounds. The use of phytoestrogens really was the only choice

for her. We did a fair amount of research on phytoestrogens and I'll share

with you what we have found out.

Her symptoms did come under excellent control taking Meno Basics. She's had

only one or two episodes of breakthrough. She had to increase her Meno

Essentials, which is the phytoestrogen part, and she added Defend-Ol to her

regimen after we talked to Dr. Tariq Kuraishy. Using these products she's

had pretty good stabilization. Her bone density has remained excellent. She

has had no other symptoms related to menopause since she has started on the

Meno Basics.

The curious thing about phytoestrogens is that there is a fair amount of

research done on them. The major difficulty that menopausal women must deal

with is the symptoms (hot flashes, night sweats, anxiety, irritability).

These are handled very nicely by Meno Blend, the homeopathic part of the

Meno Basics Companion Pack. The second main problem menopausal women have, besides the symptoms, is osteoporosis. There are a number of double-blind, well controlled studies that show that phytoestrogens work as well as

calcium/vitamin D replacement for prevention of bone loss.

Additionally, mucous membrane health is maintained very well by

phytoestrogens. A number of studies have been done in this area. And now,

cardiovascular disease prevention by phytoestrogen has been documented,

particularly coronary artery disease. One of the most recent findings show

that phytoestrogens (plant-derived estrogens) actually have estrogen affect

on the bone, mucous membranes and heart, and anti-estrogen affects (in that

the use of phytoestrogen at the doses that are currently seen in the Meno

Basics actually help remove the estradiol -- the part of estrogen that is

carcinogenic -- from the blood by eliminating it in the urine). The data

show that potentially (and probably actually) the use of plant-derived

estrogens decreases the risk of breast cancer because it favors the removal

of the cancer-causing type of endogenous estrogen, which is still being

made, from the body.

I think that women who are in their 40s, who haven't even begun having

menopausal type symptoms but are premenopausal, should be taking

phytoestrogens. They should start them early. It favors the removal of the

carcinogenic type of estrogen from their blood. Together with calcium

d-glucarate, it's the right combination. And I know that my wife is real

happy taking that combination.

* * * * *

Johnette van Eeden

I underwent a radical hysterectomy at the age of 35. Due to my age I knew

that I would be on HRT for several years and was very concerned about the

side effects of conventional, synthetic HRT. After my surgery I had

horrible menopausal symptoms. I experienced hot flashes, night sweats, and

dramatic mood swings. I have been able to control all of these using Meno

Basics and progesterone cream. I know the Meno Basics works because if I

forget to take it the symptoms return! My entire family is grateful for the

natural HRT options Unicity offers.

* * * * *

Stephen Ferguson, MD, CMD

I have a very large general medical practice with an emphasis on alterative

medicine and geriatrics. I became interested in Natural Hormone Replacement

Therapy a few years ago, for several reasons, but one major one was a

desire to help my female patients. Many women are almost threatened to

start HRT, with predictions of heart disease, osteoporosis and becoming

little withered ladies. However, I find many women are seeking natural

alternatives for hormonal imbalance.

Due to the demand for natural alternatives from my patients, I have done

extensive research into the area of HRT and have found that studies show

the rate of hysterectomies in the US to be the highest of industrialized

countries. One-third of US women over the age of 60 have had a hysterectomy.

There are 30 million menopausal women in America and some 20 million baby

boomers on the brink of menopause. Industry data showed 25% of women don’t

fill their HRT prescriptions, and of those who do 50% stop within nine

months due to side effects.

I use several Unicity Network products in my medical practice. My top

product recommendations for women include the Paraway Pack, Bios Life 2,

Core Pack for Women, EFAs, Daily Produce 24, Meno Basics, Red Clover Plus,

and Wild Yam Cream.

* * * * *

Cyndi Wallman

Musician, Singer, Songwriter

A very good friend of mine is anxious to share with everyone the success

she is having on Meno Basics. This is really powerful because Joni's doctor

prescribed HRT, knowing her family history of breast cancer. When I shared

with her the success other women were having with Meno Basics and how safe

it was to take, she marched into her doctor's office and announced she

would not take estrogen and she was going to try this. I'm proud of her for

taking control of her own health. The interesting part is that when she

expressed herself, her doctor supported her decision. Maybe we've forgotten

that we should be in charge of our own health. I know Joni feels empowered

by making her own decision!