So, has anyone here done the hormone replacement using bio-identical hormones?

I am curious about this but I have a few questions:

1) Do you resume having a period?

2) Is this ok for women with endometriosis or fibroids?

3) Does it increase cancer risk like synthetic hormones?

I'm working with my dr. right now regarding that very thing! So far he gave me some estrogen/progesterone cream (to rub on skin) which has helped tremendously with hot flashes, even though it's a very low dose. But we're waiting for my blood test results to come back before doing anything more, and he sends his blood tests out of state, so it takes a good two weeks or more. I guess I'll know more in another week or two. But it appears that if prescribed correctly, they are very helpful in protecting your health.

I presume (as you generally find good links before I do) that you have already found and read JeffreyDach's blog and website.

Thanks for posting this link. I'll have a look at it, too. Perimenopause seems to be doing my hormones in and I'm considering this step, although I'm sure that if I say I have dizziness from time to time, I'll just be told to eat more carbs... sigh....

amanda

I need to update here. I have now been on BHRT since memorial day. I still say WOWZA. This is the best I've felt in years and years and years. It's almost like I've had a personality transplant. I can say that I am definitely sleeping better which is huge because I am a chronic insomniac. Mood, edginess, totally improved. The thing I'm finding most interesting is my weight is at an all time low--I'm sure that there are multiple factors but I am attributing one of those factors as my hormones are more in balance. As long as I can afford them, I'll keep taking them.


Lisa

See, that's what I'm talking about!!!

Thought I'd come over and post since I just invited a newbie over.
My personal update....

7 months on bHRT and doing better than great. I feel good, sleeping well (and I'm a chronic insomniac due to my work), have hit almost 25 gone since May, the lowest weight I've been since I was 30, total personality transplant (just ask the 2 medical assts I work with all the time). I just feel good.

As long as I have the $$ I will continue. In fact, I'd give up half my Kindle habit every month for bHRT.

Progress not perfection.

Lisa

Nope, don't think I've run into that. I'll give it a read.

I too am very interested in BHRT, have been suffering in silence for too many years. If anyone has any experiencing please let us know, I am sure there are a few of us who would be grateful.

Nancy trust me a hormone is a hormone and if you are worried about putting hormones into your body I would not use even a bioidentical one. Your body sees homones the same way and you will react accordingly. Hormones are fine if your daily life activities, job or personal life are suffering badly. Or if you feel like you just have to do SOMETHING or die!!! (figurative here) and then yes choose bioidentical it is the better choice along with a careful titrating to the absolute minimum hormone for the best relief

talk to a provider you trust, actually a naturopathic doctor (do you already see one I have not been here long enough to know your history) or a compounding pharmacist who specializes in hormone therapy would be the best choice


just my thoughts for what it is worth, but I am new and have no street cred here yet

I just started taking BHRT - about 3 weeks in now. I have crossed over into full Menopause. I like the BHRT, hot flashes are gone, feel a lot of the Menopause "funk" is gone, more feminine & caring about how I look & a little extra jump in my step so to speak. Improved sex drive too...

The doctor will retest my levels in 6 weeks. I think a good doctor & retesting is critical.

To answer your questions:
1) it shouldn't -- but there are exceptions, especially for perimenopausal.
2) Fibroids could be a problem. My doc said if they bleed some of his patients get cauterized.
3) No one knows, no studies have been conducted on BHRT.

I have read 2 books on the subject, AGELESS by S. somers - a little too much salesmanship, but a good intro to the subject.
Also "Natural Hormone Balance for Women" by UZZI REISS MD & M. zucker - this book I highly recommend....

So far, I love BHRT & you can adjust the therapy pretty easily as well.

Fatnhappy thanks so much for your input, I have an appt. to see my doctor in a few weeks and will be asking to be put on the hormones. I need some relief and am hoping this will help.

Hi Nancy
there is a very good site on BHRT administered in the rythmic method---so one does get a period.
The links are:
www.thewileyprotocol.com
www.thewileyprotocol.com/blog/
The also have a place where you can search to see if there are any docs in your area who treat via the Wiley protocol.

As far as fibroids---that's one only your doctor can answer. It might depend on the size and number of fibroids. I did do the rythmic BHRT for a year+ a couple of years ago---with no problems---despite 5 tiny fibroids.

I am going to see my doc next week for a hormone overhaul(including sex and endocrine hormones); fortunately he uses the Wiley protocol. I don't think it is anything new---a rythmic BHRT program by any other name is still what it is.

I Hope all works out for you.

Nancy, I just wanted to follow up with my use of the bio-identical hormones. I think they're great! I use a fairly low dose, just enough to help me feel "normal" again and stop the hot flashes and migraines. My doctor suggests that every three to four months, you stop using the cream for a few days, and you'll have a period. Then you go back to using the cream.

However, I have done some studying and research about the Wiley Protocol, and I have some concerns about it. My doctor doesn't agree with it, and Ms. Wiley has no credentials whatsoever. (She's not even a college graduate.) Ms. Wiley prescribes very high doses of the hormones. High doses such as the Wiley Protocol requires may have serious side effects.

Of course, this is just my own $.02!

I have been on bhrt for 6 days and my energy levels are throught he roof! I noticed a difference within 36 hours. I had lost fluid fro my face and by day 4, i was weeding the yard. I couldn't live with the overwhelming exhaustion I had for over a year now. All of my levels were in the dirt so I was put on estrogen/progesterone/testosterone/pregnisilone (sp?). I turned 47 this month.