His and Her Health

Hi,<BR>I'm a freelance health writer and am working on a piece for All You magazine about tough health choices that women must face. One of the issues is whether or not to take hormone replacement therapy - I'm looking for a woman who is willing to share her story about her decision whether or not to take HRT (doesn't matter which way you decided).<P>If you're interested, please find my e-mail address in my profile and send me a line.<P>Maureen Kennedy

Hello, I am 29 and started taking HRT last June after my hysterectomy. My verdict is still undetermind just yet. I have tried 4 different drugs and liked different things about each.<BR><B>Hi,<BR>I'm a freelance health writer and am working on a piece for All You magazine about tough health choices that women must face. One of the issues is whether or not to take hormone replacement therapy - I'm looking for a woman who is willing to share her story about her decision whether or not to take HRT (doesn't matter which way you decided).<P>If you're interested, please find my e-mail address in my profile and send me a line.<P>Maureen Kennedy</B>[/QUOTE]<P>

Looking for "a woman"? I'll bet you get plenty of responses to choose from.<P>I'm on conventional HRT and a menoupause med not currently available in the States called Livial. And vaginal estrogen cream. And if I discovered anything else that was an effective treatment for menopause, I'd take it too. Menopause is a thoroughly miserable experience. And it just keeps on giving....not like having the flu or something. Once you catch it it's yours to keep.<P>I don't have a whole lot of faith in the American medical industry. If they tell me hormones are good--no, hormones are bad--no, maybe they really are ok--I stop listening to them. Go dither somewhere else, this is my life that's going down the drain.The HRT and Livial seem to have allieviated some of the most disturbing symptoms of menopause, and the Livial is purported to reduce risk of bone loss density, I'm going to keep taking the stuff. And anything else thay can come up with that works.<P>Right now I'd drink bat spit if anybody could prove that it cured menopause. I mean, this is really really bad.<BR>

I chose NHR thru a local compounding pharmacist. I use .5ml of testosterone cream twice a day. They did no testing prior to use.They tried progesterone first with no results. This is working great for us. I have developed a little extra hair and enlarged clit. The hair I can deal with and the larger clit is a benefit not a drawback.

overseas-mom,<BR>Sorry you are so distraught with menopause and its symptoms. I don't think it can be "cured". It is a natural progression of ageing. We can treat the symptoms. The night sweats and hot flushes do pass with time. The vaginal dryness and loss of libdo has to be treated with other medicines. I wish you well.<BR>Ruby

hi every one, I am 52 years old and i think that i am going into menopause my dr says i am pere. I am researching the bio identical hormone replacement. if any one has any info it will be greatly appreciated. I am sooooooooo confused

Hello everyone,

I am starting into menopause - missing periods, sweats, no libido, and am just a tad mean to say the least, I am reading suzanne sommers and I am wondering if anyone else is doing the bioidentical hormone therapy ... I am just starting to gather information and would appreciate any feedback.. As I read this book I read me over and over...

Thank you so much Tane

**Moderator's Note
You may get some additional information from this link.
http://www.ourgyn.com/article_retrieve.php?articleid=141

<small>[ June 30, 2005, 11:20: Message edited by: NEWSHE Moderator ]</small>

I recently turned 50. I was on birth control pills since my 20's. I met a woman who swears by progesterone cream - so in Feb. I went off the BC pills. I had one last period in Feb. and then started the progesterone cream. I then went 126 days with no period then had very mild spotting for 3 days. It's been 50+ days with no period (yea-I like it). I hear you must be period-free for 12 months to be considered "in menopause". I have had no hot flashes or night sweats. I have noticed slight memory glitches.

Moderator, any comments on why I may not be having the hot flashes/night sweats? And what to use for the memory? Do you think progesterone is what is working so well for me?

Nancy,

Consider yourself extremely luck and don't spend anymore energy about "why not" - there are plenty of us who would love to be in your shoes!

Hugs,
Maryan

Fish oil boosts memory.

If anyone is looking for a provider of bioidentical hormones I found mine here: restoremd.com

They are associated with Women's Health, which I also happily recommend womenshealth.com/health-library/35-bioidentical-hrt/764-is-hormone-therapy-right-for-you

<small>[ 08-25-2007, 07:08 PM: Message edited by: Moderator ]</small>

Should you choose to take the bioidentical route, what is important to look for when choosing a pharmacist?

I had been through the Bioidentical hormone rx. Approx 2 yearrs I have gone to renown antiaging Doc whose specialty is bioidenticals. As well as charging a first fee of $500. and each visit thereafter $250. Let me tell you, she had me coming back every month for the first 10 visits. No real changes in the script although hot flashes lessened. I slowly weaned myself off anf became more diet controlled. Those 12 pounds that I gained on BHT's melted away so now my 5 day a week weight and cardio training is now result looking.Try to bone up on supplements, exercise and good breathing. . Hope this helps..good luck

<small>[ 04-24-2008, 07:23 PM: Message edited by: Moderator ]</small>

In the April edition of The Menopause Minute, Red Hot Mamas own Karen Giblin discusses her recent trip to Zurich, Switzerland where she spoke on behalf of women to physicians of the International Menopause Society. Her presentation addressed the bumpy history of hormone therapy and how women's perceptions have changed throughout the past 15 years. Her article is available here:
http://www.redhotmamas.org/content/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=180&Itemid=103

Karen, can you share with us how your opinions were received at this meeting?