New Resources for your Hormone Questions!

Please read 'Sex, Lies and Meopause' It is an eye-opener about the importance of using bioidentical estrogen and progesterone. No uterus, no progesterone, right? Wrong. It helps build bone, reduce breast cancer, and keeps anxiety at bay. But read this book. They do not want you to make the mistake about using progestins instead of progesterone. (Your Doctor probably doesn't know as much about this as you think, hey, your Doctor gets influenced heavily from the drug companies themselves). There is all the difference in the world between a brand name HRT and natural hormones. The reason that HRT had so many side effects is because it is an altered form of estrogen and progerone - altered so the drug company could patent it. The real hormones which the drug companies used actually to test in early trials do what they orginally thought, (prevent heart disease, and stroke and memory problems) but the companies can't patent what is natural. You will have to find a compounding pharmacy in your area who will make up some natural estrogen and progesterone for you as creams and apply as directed. (They don't think the health food stores have enough to do the amounts needed to make a huge difference in your future health). First you need to talk to your doctor, and gently educate your doctor (leave a paperback copy of this book) and get them to presribe some natual homones for you to get compounded by the pharmacy. It is cheaper than brand name stuff, too. Progesterone cream should only be for l4 days per month just like in nature. You will need to read the book for the application schedule which varies some each day as to amount. Best, Asta

Have any of you read "What your Dr. may not tell about Menopause" by John R. Lee, MD? He is a proponent of natural progesterone supplementation but also talks in depth about hormone replacement after hysterectomy both with and without ovary removal. He specifically states that hormone levels cannot be tested accurately with blood tests. It must be done with saliva tests. Dr. Lee recommends the lowest possible dose of "estriol" (not any other estrogen supplement)if you have vaginal dryness, night sweats, hot flashes, loss of libido, etc. He also says, NEVER USE ESTROGEN WITHOUT PROGESTERONE. Please check out his book and see if it helps you. It helped me with my fibroid symptoms. PS- a physician that practices along these same lines recommends Maca for low libido and also as a hormone balancer.

I had a question - I've been reading all the books recommended here on this site. I read in The Hormone Solution, that the only true natrual progesterone had to be prescribed and could not be available over the counter. Then I read in What Your Doctor May Not Tell You by Dr. Lee to use over-the-counter progsterone cream and see it for sale here on this site. Can anyone address this contradiction and help shed some light? Thanks!

Maybe one of the hostesses will know better than myself, but I believe that the prescribed natural progesterone is in pill form. I think it might also have higher levels than over the counter.

Make sure if you buy over the counter that you do not get any cream that has parabens in it. Methyl, ethyl, propyl and butylparabens are all estrogen sources. They will negate the progesterone and sometimes make your symptoms worse. That happened to me. Check out the website fibroid101.com. There is an anecdotal story regarding that happening.

Thanks for your reply. That helps and I'm definitely checking out that website.

can someone what to expect and when to expect lack of nite sweats and hot flashes with low dose of premarin

Hello all,
I have just read "A Maverick of Medicine speaks to Women" by Dr. Duane Townsend, Woodland Publishing. I hightly recommend this book to all women, especially women considering hysterectomy. TJ

I am scared. I had my hysterectomy in 99 and just had my ovaries removed in april. My left ovary was plastered to my intestines. Well due to my endo and abnormal paps which have been fine my surgeon was leary about hormones. He sent me to my referring GYN. I went today and he decided to put me on Femhrt. It is low dose progestrone and estrogen. I have a heart condition which I take daily meds for and he is aware of that. I have had severe night hot flashes since the surgery. I am back to work now and need sleep. I cant keep waking every hour on the hour like this. He said I will be on this till 51, I am 42 now. Can anyone tell me what to expect, what are the good and bad with taking this? Also anyone out there on this hrt/ I was also bummed because I am having alot of pain where right ovary was and he said adhesions formed already just from surgery 5 weeks ago. This is a bummer. I also smoke too is there a risk with hrt and smoking like with the birth control pill? Confused felt rushed today and need some more answers.Hugs Jeannie