Hormone Therapy

If you don't have any real problems, then there should be no need to go on hormones. Menopause is just a stage of life. I could see if you're having problems, but you're not. I don't take anything extra I don't need.

Hey D.,

I am not in the same exact position as you, but I would say based on my personal experience.

It seems like you don't really need it.

Your not necessarily interested in having MORE sex LOL
nor are the side effects of menopause really bothering you.

So what benefit are you getting from the meds?
Doesn't seem like any.

Perhaps it may increase your sexual desire but i doubt it.
will have any real significant impact.

The only real benefit I can see would be prevention of osteoporosis, but Boniva would help with that.

And The side effects would be worse
http://www.nia.nih.gov/HealthInformation/Publications/hor...

I just wanted to say that Aging is part of life, its not an illness that needs to be treated.

Your husband is getting older too, and a little KYjelly will help if you get some dryness.

M

Hi D.,

I read what you wrote and I'm going through a similar experience. I"m 53 and have not had my period for almost 1 1/2 years. I am sleeping poorly, also have body aches, hot flashes. I chose to not do hormones since my mother had uterine cancer. I've been seeing a chinese herbalist in chinatown who has helped me with my symptoms. I also go to an acupuncturist who helps with my heat and sleep issues. I see someone at Lin sisters herb shop in chinatown and I als see Dr. William Yee in chinatown.

good luck
L.

Hi D.,
I know that it's a tough decision to make with risks and benefits on both sides. I can't tell you what to do, just to make sure that you are thoroughly educated. Remember that either decision doesn't need to be permanent. I am glad that I don't have to go through making this decision because it would have been a tough one for me, but since I already had breast cancer when I was 35, it wouldn't be an option for me. The fewer hormones I have, the better for me.

I agree with your friends who say "don't". From the way you have written, it sounds like you are having a fairly easy time, and coping quite well, with what is, after all, just a natural mid-life process your body is experiencing. Your description sounds similiar to my own at your same age (I'm now 62) and my mother's (she's now 94). We both opted to go the natural route, and let nature take it's course, doing what it was designed to do...without taking any medications. The bottom line is for you to decide what feels right for YOU!

There are pros and cons to HRT. I never took the conventional route. I opted for a more natural solution. Which also means less side effects. I never regretted it. At some point whether you take HRT or do not do anything the odds even out. You don't say where you live, but there is a great Natural Health Care Educator and Practioner in Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ by the name of Erica Hill. Her number is ###-###-####. She is working with me now to make me even healthier. She is joy to work with.

Good Luck - I. J.

i'm not a dr., but i do work with energy balancing and herbs. i am 46 and my estrogen levels were toohigh and progesterone too low. i use progest for progesterone (it's a cream ) and estrogen balance by vital nutrients. take lots of vit d3 (5000 i.u./day) and take adaptocrine (k-12) for my adrenals (which were off) as well.
i'd have blood levels checked, and you may want to go to a more natural dr.
hope this helps.
r

Hi D.,

While I am not menopausal or post-menopausal, I have had to deal with hormonal imbalance issues. One of the pioneers in dealing with such issues was Dr. John Lee. His best known book was "What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause" and it discusses the very issues you are struggling with now. You can order it through Amazon. His books have a wealth of information. I highly recommend reading any of his work!

Good Luck!

J.

Hi D.,

You sound like a wonderful woman.

Here's my suggestion. Please make an appt with a Naturopath Doctor (ND) who will put your body back on the right track without any side effects from those lousy, awful drugs.

They work wonders, all with natural means. You will feel 100% better, I guarantee! (and I'm not a ND, just a patient!)

Good Luck,
J.

I agree with the other posts. Something else to consider is that hormone therapy has been shown to increase the risk of breast cancer. My mother was on hormone therapy; she had pretty severe menopause symptoms that really bothered her. And then she ended up with breast cancer. There was also a recent article in the NYTimes about the rates of breast cancer decreasing along with a drop in women using hormone treatment. I don't understand why doctors would recommend it still.

Hi D.,
I am just about 55 and haven't had my period since I was 50. I was having some trouble with hot flashes, so a friends suggested I try the over the counter stuff to control them. Things were great until I GOT MY PERIOD!!! oh, and on the day of my internal exam thank you very much! Turns out those over the counter things have estrogen and that is why you keep getting your period. So, went off them and have been period free for all this time. The hot flashes I had sound nowhere near what you are going through, so I would say YIPPEE! and live my life hormone free. Seriously, I was having trouble with fibroids and my doctor and I were waiting for menopause because once the estrogen stops, so do the fibroids. I still have occasional hot flashes (chocolate candy is a trigger, but it doesn't stop me from eating it, I just eat the dark!)but life is good and pain/massive blood flow free now. I agree with your friends. My mom was on hormone treatment and she was getting her period into her 60's! Why would you want to keep doing that?

D.,
My doctors are not big fans of Hormone Replacement Therapy because of the risk of cancer and other health problems. Like you I have some symptoms of menopause but I take Estroven (actually I use the Sams Club version of it) and have had great luck. My mood is much better, I can sleep through the night, and most importantly overall I feel much healthier. I will say it took a month to notice the big change and I was skeptical at first, but then over the winter I ran out and went 2 weeks without it and was back to where I was before I went on it. Hope this helps.
T.

Hello D. S. I know that Brain Function – receptor cells located in the areas associated with learning and memory require an ample supply of GH each day. Read more about HGH for women https://www.hgha.com/hgh-for-women/

Hi D., I am 63 and have been on HRT for many years. I recently have been tested and will be switching over to Bioidentical hormones. They are much safer. I too never had much to complain about except for headaches (bad) which were due to hormone drop. You will feel so much better as far as aches and pains and your husband will like the renewed interest in sex. What I had been taking is Estratest. The bioidenticals are prescribed by a gyno through the Womens International Pharmacy. Speak to your doctor about this. Grandma Mary