Menopause Support Group

Menopause is the physiological cessation of menstrual cycles associated with advancing age. It normally occurs in women between the ages of 45 and 55, when the body begins to slow and stop the production of eggs, estrogen and progesterone production decreases, and menstruation diminishes, eventually stopping altogether.

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/ Menopause Support Group

Hormones

shellylabelle
shellylabelle
I have all of the symptoms of menopause, however, my ob only gave me an estrogen patch. It made me lightheaded and tired. The worst symptom is a racing heart and palps. I have been cleared cardiac wise by my internal med. I am going for a blood test today and am wondering, if my hormone levels are in the normal range, should I still take hormones due to the symptoms? Should I find a new ob?
deleted_user
deleted_user
What my doctor did was an FSH test done by drawing bloodwork. It showed the reference range for menopause and my GYN said once I am in that range I will always be in that range. I was considered postmenopausal. This is a good indicator of where you are in the process. If you arent in the menopausal range I am afraid that taking estrogen would be too much, but Im not a doctor. I personally prefer taking a saliva test in order to find out where my estrogen and testosterone and progesterone levels are. I am postmenopausal but my bio-identical hormone doctor believes I am estrogen dominant and only has me on progesterone 200 mg at bedtime. I dont understand why docs just slap an estrogen patch on someone when they dont check their levels. A reminder though, checking your levels of hormones is just a snapshot, such as when you check your cholesterol levels. Your hormone levels are constantly fluctuating, but its at least an indicator of where your hormone levels lie. I would find someone who prescribes bio-identical hormones and have them do a saliva test. A compounding pharmacist in your area can tell you who prescribes them since they usually have to be compounded. And you could call your local hospital or clinic and ask around. If there is one in your area then there is a compounding pharmacy who most likely fills their Rx's for them.
deleted_user
deleted_user
If you are having menoP symptoms, it doesn't matter what the blood levels are. Blood levels of hormones can really change wildly when we are in perimenopause. That is the problem & much of the cause of our symptoms...

It probably would not hurt to try the patch & see if it helps, but you might not see immediate results and if, as sugarbooq says, your FSH is normal, it might not feel good to use estrogen.

I never did any bloodwork but I knew I was there bc of irreg periods etc...but having regular periods you could still be entering into peri at least. Hope you find out what works....DaisyC
shellylabelle
shellylabelle
Thank you ladies. I had a hysterectomy two years ago, so it is harder for me to know where I am menopuase wise.