My doctor prescribed me HRT, which consisted of Progesterone pills and a vaginal estrogen. (I smoke so it is safer).
Here is my question (since I did not use it).
how do they know which hormones you need more of, or is it hit and miss?
They did no hormone count or anything. So one wonders how they actually know what to give you.
I'm scared of HRT and the effects it could have if incorrectly balanced. Isn't this all about balancing hormones. Can I ask to have them measured?
And finally, anyone tried soya products/pills? How did that work out for you? Thanks
I feel the same. Trial and error I suppose. They go by your symptoms. Can you start your hrt right away?
The doctor gave it to me last year so ages ago and I can't recall if he said I could start right away. I don't remember him saying after a period or anything? I don't get hot flashes yet, but I get everything else.
The problem can be that blood levels don't always tell you much. I know it seems logical that they would. But this is why sometimes physicians tell you it's a waste of money to run the tests, and instead want to go on symptoms. Perimenopause is a very difficult time to get a clear sense of what's happening, since your hormones are bouncing all over the place. In menopause your levels are more consistant.
I think every woman should get testing done as a baseline. However I have been working with a female endrocrinologist, who is big on bloodwork. Problem is, when she felt that my labs said I was balanced, I felt horrible. So apparently, she didn't have a clue what was normal for me.
Thanks gailannie. Are you on HRT? Has it helped a lot?
I think that is why a lot of the experts and even some of the private ones go by how you feel on it and then try upping or lowering the dose. As they do not have your pre meno levels to compare them to.
I know I feel better on HRT but at some point I will see if I can try a higher dose of estrogen as I still have some symptoms and the first week on it things were great even sleep but it didn't last.
yes, I am on bioidenticals. And while there are some things that have gotten better, there are many things that have not. There are also many side effects that I hate. Apparently, all that blood work and level steady doses have not provided the things that I thought they would. I guess that's part of the problem, our bodies whether we like it or not are changing, and while some syptoms can be managed I guess I expect too much.
I am sleeping soundly through the night, and my vaginal atrophy and dryness is gone. But do I feel normal and like back to my old self? NOPE.
I'm going to give vitamins a go. I've read quite a bit about certain vitamins really helping. So! I am starting with Vit B6 Vit B12, Flaxseed, Evening Primrose oil, Vit C, I still have to get Magnesium and Vit D. I might even give an isolfalvin a go.