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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morrj27 03/12/2013

Hi, I am 48 and was told I was in perimenopause 2 years ago by my GYN. I see a lot of posting about HRT and I am totally confused about it. Some woman seem to do better taking estrogen while others seem to be doing better taking Progesterone. My doc told me 2 years ago that having a blood test isn't very conclusive in telling your hormone levels because they are constantly fluctuating. So how then do you know which hormone to take, and how much of it? This has always been very confusing to me. I am assuming there are some progesterone creams that can be purchased in drug stores, but are they good quality or is it better to have the GYN prescribe something? I would appreciate any advice and help about HRT's. Also what, if any, are the side effects? I feel like I need to become more knowledgable about this part of peri and menopause to understand it better.

spin808 03/13/2013

Hi! I'm 49 and have been on a hormone roller coaster ride for over a month. I'm currently on Prempro (Prescribed by my obgyn), but am weaning off with Bioidentical Hormones (Estrogen and Progesterone) with the help of a naturopathic doc because of the negative things I've been reading about synthetic hormones. If you still have your uterus, you need to take Progesterone with the Estrogen to protect yourself against uterine cancer. Although hormone level tests aren't that accurate, they can be used as a guide. So far, both docs have based my dosages on my symptoms and monitor me so that we can make adjustments when needed. Opinions vary widely on this whole topic and I totally understand your confusion. My naturopathic doc recommends bioidentical hormones from a reputable compounding pharmacy. There can be side effects with any meds, but for me the hormone chaos I've been going through made my decision easy. I needed to find something to balance my hormones. There are many books out there that can help make this time less confusing. I liked "Female Brain Gone Insane" and "Menopause Sucks". I could go on and on. I hope this helped! Hang in there!

deleted_user 03/24/2013

I am 55 and have been taking Estrogen and Progesterone for two months. I haven't noticed much difference in the depression and anxiety, but have noticed relief in night sweats. I also worry about the side effects and wonder how others feel about it.

I am trying to fight this be eating better and exercising -- yoga and spinning. I try to sleep better, too, but have frequent bouts with insomnia. Hopefully more folks like us will respond and we can both gain some knowledge and understanding.

deleted_user 03/24/2013

I AM 43 AND HAVE MENOPAUSE BUT THE BLOODTEST SHOWS NEGATIVE ,BUT I KNOW MY BODY,I AM GOING TO A DOCTOR FRIDAY TO GET ON BIO-IDENTICAL HORMONES ALL NATURAL MADE FROM YAMS,I SEEN DOCTOR OZ AND MANY OTHERS TALK ABOUT IT.I DON'T TRUST TRUST THE PILLS OUT THERE DOCTORS GIVE YOU.MY HORMONES ARE LIKE A ROLLARCOASTER,MENTAL CONFUSION,HOT FLASHES,NIGHT SWEATS,ITCHY SKIN,ANSOMNIA,DEPRESSION,ANXIETY,DIZZY,OFF BALANCE,I FEEL LIKE MY JOY HAS BEEN DRAIN OUT OF ME,I CAN'T GO ANYWHERE,I LAY IN BED MOST OF THE TIME,MENOPAUSE REALLY SUCKS.BUT I AN DESPERATE,I STARTED EATING GOOD,TAKING VITAMINS,TAKING FISH PILLS OMEGA 3.WALKING 30 MINUTES A DAY.,SOMETIMES I GET FATIGED BUT I PRESS ON.WHEN IS THIS SUFFERING GOING TO END.

morrj27 03/24/2013

Menopause seems to still be like this big secret that no one talks about. I have also read "Female Brain Gone Insane" and "The Fifth Decade" which is very good. This is definitely a very rough thing to go through and didn't know it would be this hard. Let's all hang in there.

deleted_user 03/25/2013

A blood test can show if you are perimenopausal or menopausal. It is a guideline to at least help to know what does of hormones to start you on. I have been on Prempro (extracted from horse urine) and I felt pretty good on it but was scared of the nasty list of side effects. My OBGYN recommended it and stated me at a low dose then we increased it at my request for a total of 3 times and then I had a period like a teenager so my OB's advice was to reduce the dose or get off it. I got off it and tried bio-identical hormone cream with estrogen and progesterone. It is made from plants and supposed to be biologically identical to your own hormones. I was on that for quite some time until recently when I got off of it to see how I am feeling 3 yrs. into menopause. Only thing I notice is a hot flash or two per day which arent severe so have chosen to stay off of hormones. I still use fish oil, and use Caltrate for calcium for my bones and take a multi-vitamin. Hope the info helps. Judy

BobSue2008 03/28/2013

If I'm not mistaken, if you've had a hysterectomy, you can only take estrogen. If you haven't you can take Estrogen and Progesterone.
I have taken hormones for 3 1/2 years. First Prempro (boo for me), then activella (yay! for 2 3/4 years) now I'm on Combipatch (yay! so far). I couldn't stand to do the bioidenticals. I can't keep up with all that. Give me one thing to do and let me do it. Combipatch is the same as activella which is plant based, but not bioidentical. HOWEVER, the dose of estrogen and progesterone are absorbed through the skin and the dosage is much, much less than with a pill. I am very happy with it. It is an individual choice of course, As another poster said, they didn't do zip for my depression and anxiety. That took Lexapro and ativan. Recently I added Wellbutrin XL to counteract the depression the lexapro was letting back in. I have never,ever been without the anxiety. Not since Feb 28, 2009. First panic attack at 3:00a.m. That's how serious it has been. I remember it as if it were yesterday.

Don't be afraid to try different things.

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