ERAS

Pulsatile secretion is a biochemical phenomenon observed in a

wide variety of cell and tissue types, in which chemical products
are secreted in a regular temporal pattern. The most common
cellular products observed to be released in this manner are
intercellular signaling molecules such
as hormones or neurotransmitters. Examples of hormones that
are secreted pulsatilely
include insulin, thyrotropin, TRH, gonadotropin-releasing
hormone (GnRH) and growth hormone (GH). In the nervous
system, pulsatility is observed in oscillatory activity from central
pattern generators. In the heart, pacemakers are able to work and
secrete in a pulsatile manner. A pulsatile secretion pattern is
critical to the function of many hormones in order to maintain the
delicate homeostatic balance necessary for essential life
processes, such as development and reproduction. Variations of
the concentration in a certain frequency can be critical to hormone
function, as evidenced by the case of GnRH agonists, which
cause functional inhibition of the receptor for GnRH due to
profound downregulation in response to constant (tonic)
stimulation. Pulsatility may function to sensitize target tissues to
the hormone of interest and upregulate receptors, leading to
improved responses. This heightened response may have served
to improve the animal's fitness in its environment and promote its
evolutionary retention.

Birth Control Pills are synthetic hormones, and are actually much more potent compared to what
is used in Hormone replacement therapy. This is necessary so they provide contraceptive
effect, while HRT does not prevent ovulation or pregnancy. 

Many women in their 40's use low dose birth control pills for inexpensive option to control
perimenopausal symptoms and regulate cycles, and this is actually a form of rather high
potency HRT in my opinion -- which may not be necessary! 

If there is no need for contraception, I would rather suggest women in their 40's consider
nutritional and herbal remedies as their first approach to manage symptoms. Then if needed,
low dose natural hormone therapy may be all that is required, rather than the potency of the
synthetic Birth control pill.

Both birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy often consist of a combination of the
hormones estrogen and progesterone. You may, therefore, wonder if the two treatments affect
the body in the same way. The simple answer is “no,” but the more complicated answer is that
researchers are not yet entirely sure.

A number of factors vary between the two types of treatment. Birth control pills are administered
at a high enough dosage to prevent ovulation and pregnancy. Hormone replacement therapy
strives to return postmenopausal women’s hormone levels to what they were before
menopause. The hormone formulation and dosage in each treatment can vary.

Studies suggest that hormone replacement therapy with both estrogen and progesterone may
increase a woman’s risk for breast cancer, heart attack and stroke, while estrogen-only
therapies may have no affect on heart health but can increase stroke risk. Women who take
birth control pills are at a greater risk of blood clots, which can cause heart attack and stroke,
but no link has been proven to breast cancer. The risk of blood clots and heart attack with birth
control pills is higher in women over 35 and in those who also smoke.

If you are a woman who is considering either treatment, discuss your risk factors, including
family history, age and known medical conditions, as well as the possible benefits and
drawbacks with your healthcare provider.