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Mon Jan 10, 2011 6:31 pm  |
I still get a monthly period, but it's not the same as it was when I was younger.
As I understand it, "natural" only refers to whether the ingredient comes from plants or animals versus a manmade ingredient. By this definition, Premarin (made from pregnant mare urine) is natural.
Biodentical hormones refers to the molecular structure of the hormonal medication....whether or not the hormone is molecularly identical to hormones produced by the human body.
I take biodentical hormones, but mine are not compounded and I get them by prescription from a regular pharmacy. An estradiol patch and Prometrium pill - both produced by Big Pharma companies.
I also estriol cream on my face and love the results. |
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Mon Jan 10, 2011 6:39 pm |
By the way, at the risk of sounding like a broken record (an old term for sure!)....
This is one area in which you really need to do your homework.
I've read lots of books by various authors on this topic. I can recommend one good basic book to start with: "Hormones and Your Health" by Winnifred Cutler.
I have also come to rely on the info put out by the North American Menopause Society.
There's too much confusing noise out there in the public on this whole subject.
BF |
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Mon Jan 10, 2011 6:44 pm |
| But that is what HRT does, it stops menopause. So therefore, you continue to ovulate. |
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Born 1950. There's a new cream on the market that gets rid of wrinkles - you smear it on the mirror!! |
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Mon Jan 10, 2011 6:47 pm |
BF,
I don't want to take this to a personal level if it's uncomfortable so let me get your take here in a general question.
Are you saying that even after full menopause has taken place that HRT/BHRT will cause periods to return? |
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I'LL SEE YOU ON THE DARKSIDE OF THE MOON.... |
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Mon Jan 10, 2011 6:50 pm |
| Keliu wrote: |
| But that is what HRT does, it stops menopause. So therefore, you continue to ovulate. |
My point is if there are no eggs there isn't any actual ovulation, but the hormones "trick" the body into continuing or re-starting menstruation? |
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I'LL SEE YOU ON THE DARKSIDE OF THE MOON.... |
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Mon Jan 10, 2011 6:59 pm |
| I have only heard of the occasional person who continues or restarts cycles on HRT. The aim of HRT and BHRT is simply to alleviate undesirable side effects of meno, is it not? You have to be on a high dose to start cycles again. Same with BHRT. Suzanne has cycles. I don't take enough for that but I wonder if a person should, in order to derive other benefits associated with youthfulness. There don't seem to be any clear info here. Yes, Keliu, once the ovary has ceased to release ova, cycles stop. |
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Born in 1952. Blonde, very good skin. A few noticeable wrinkles. |
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Mon Jan 10, 2011 7:08 pm |
| In my experience, most women begin taking HRT when the symptoms of menopause first appear - therefore they continue to ovulate. I think this was the case of the 60 something year old women who had a baby - she was on HRT. |
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Born 1950. There's a new cream on the market that gets rid of wrinkles - you smear it on the mirror!! |
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Mon Jan 10, 2011 7:09 pm |
| Antonia wrote: |
| I have only heard of the occasional person who continues or restarts cycles on HRT. The aim of HRT and BHRT is simply to alleviate undesirable side effects of meno, is it not? You have to be on a high dose to start cycles again. Same with BHRT. Suzanne has cycles. I don't take enough for that but I wonder if a person should, in order to derive other benefits associated with youthfulness. There don't seem to be any clear info here. Yes, Keliu, once the ovary has ceased to release ova, cycles stop. |
This is what I thought except in rare cases or with a vaginal hysterectomy on a premenopausal woman who is naturally still having cycles. I am 17 years past menopause and don't want my periods to start again.
I really would love to know for sure about having high haemoglobin and hematocrit levels and only using a BHRT topical facial cream? My doctor nixed it, but I am wondering about how much is actually absorbed systemically if used prudently? I never suffered any symptoms same as you have mentioned my periods just stopped! |
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I'LL SEE YOU ON THE DARKSIDE OF THE MOON.... |
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Mon Jan 10, 2011 7:11 pm |
| My dose of hormone is low and only intended to ease the symptoms of menopause and give my body what it isn't able to produce at this time. It provides protection to my organs and I feel very good. I do not have a cycle. I don't know any of my friends on BHRT that are having cycles. |
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female,"50 something" medium to thick normal skin, no wrinkles,Lightstim,Easy Eye Solutions,Green Smoothies,Ageless Secret Gold, Pico Toner,Beautiful Image |
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Mon Jan 10, 2011 7:12 pm |
| Antonia wrote: |
| Suzanne has cycles. I don't take enough for that but I wonder if a person should, in order to derive other benefits associated with youthfulness. |
This is what confuses me - if HRT makes your cycle continue, by taking a lesser does of BHRT which doesn't make your cycle continue - are you getting the same benefits? |
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Born 1950. There's a new cream on the market that gets rid of wrinkles - you smear it on the mirror!! |
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Mon Jan 10, 2011 7:22 pm |
| DarkMoon wrote: |
This is what I thought except in rare cases or with a vaginal hysterectomy on a premenopausal woman who is naturally still having cycles. I am 17 years past menopause and don't want my periods to start again.
I really would love to know for sure about having high haemoglobin and hematocrit levels and only using a BHRT topical facial cream? My doctor nixed it, but I am wondering about how much is actually absorbed systemically if used prudently? I never suffered any symptoms same as you have mentioned my periods just stopped! |
My Mother's doctor put her on HRT when she was in her 80s because she had chronic Osteoporosis. She didn't start a period, but she said her breasts became so tender she couldn't stand it, so she stopped taking it. |
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Born 1950. There's a new cream on the market that gets rid of wrinkles - you smear it on the mirror!! |
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Mon Jan 10, 2011 7:24 pm |
| Keliu wrote: |
| Antonia wrote: |
| Suzanne has cycles. I don't take enough for that but I wonder if a person should, in order to derive other benefits associated with youthfulness. |
This is what confuses me - if HRT makes your cycle continue, by taking a lesser does of BHRT which doesn't make your cycle continue - are you getting the same benefits? |
Unless I am very mistaken Suzanne Sommers is using BHRT not HRT? |
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I'LL SEE YOU ON THE DARKSIDE OF THE MOON.... |
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Mon Jan 10, 2011 7:32 pm |
| Antonia wrote: |
| I have only heard of the occasional person who continues or restarts cycles on HRT. The aim of HRT and BHRT is simply to alleviate undesirable side effects of meno, is it not? You have to be on a high dose to start cycles again. Same with BHRT. Suzanne has cycles. I don't take enough for that but I wonder if a person should, in order to derive other benefits associated with youthfulness. There don't seem to be any clear info here. Yes, Keliu, once the ovary has ceased to release ova, cycles stop. |
http://www.safemenopausesolutions.com/suzanne-sommers-bioidentical-hormones.html
The Suzanne Sommers bioidentical hormones books explain her use of natural hormone replacement therapy to regain her health. Since millions of women (and men) suffer numerous symptoms leading up to and during the menopause years, interest in the Suzanne Sommers menopause information, aging and natural hormone therapy is a huge one.
Actually, there are two Suzanne Sommers bioidentical hormones books. The first one is called The Sexy Years: Discover the Hormone Connection: The Secret to Fabulous Sex, Great Health, and Vitality for Women and Men. The second book about bioidentical hormones Somers is titled Ageless: The Naked Truth About Bioidentical Hormones. |
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I'LL SEE YOU ON THE DARKSIDE OF THE MOON.... |
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Mon Jan 10, 2011 8:01 pm |
| DarkMoon wrote: |
| Keliu wrote: |
| Antonia wrote: |
| Suzanne has cycles. I don't take enough for that but I wonder if a person should, in order to derive other benefits associated with youthfulness. |
This is what confuses me - if HRT makes your cycle continue, by taking a lesser does of BHRT which doesn't make your cycle continue - are you getting the same benefits? |
Unless I am very mistaken Suzanne Sommers is using BHRT not HRT? |
Yes, I know that - but my point is, BHRT is supposed to be a safer alternative but functions in the same way as HRT. If it's functioning in the same way, you should experience a period (as SS does). So, if you're taking such a low dose that you don't have a cycle, how do you know it's acting as it should? |
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Born 1950. There's a new cream on the market that gets rid of wrinkles - you smear it on the mirror!! |
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Mon Jan 10, 2011 8:07 pm |
| I got it now Keliu, I am pretty confused on that front myself? I know I can't take a high dose, but would love to use it topically if it can work just with that small amount? |
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I'LL SEE YOU ON THE DARKSIDE OF THE MOON.... |
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Mon Jan 10, 2011 10:30 pm |
| Antonia wrote: |
Toby, I asked my doc to check out my hormones via blood test. It came back as having "pre-adolescent levels." My saliva test said the same. So she just wrote up a script for biest and progestgerone. Three months after going on the biest my hair started to fall, which is why I could never be on the Pill in my younger years. Estradiol was converting to testosterone. She switched me to straight estriol and no problems.
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Are you sure estradiol can convert to testosterone? Do you have any research indicating this is possible? (I think it goes the other way around). |
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Born 1953; Blonde-Blue; Normal skin |
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Mon Jan 10, 2011 10:43 pm |
| DarkMoon wrote: |
| I got it now Keliu, I am pretty confused on that front myself? I know I can't take a high dose, but would love to use it topically if it can work just with that small amount? |
If you're just looking for a skin cream, why don't you try the Life Extension New Face Serum. It has 1% Estriol and they say it has no systemic effect. I'm currently using it and I like it.
http://www.lef.org/Vitamins-Supplements/Item01076/New-Face-Solution.html |
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Born 1950. There's a new cream on the market that gets rid of wrinkles - you smear it on the mirror!! |
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Mon Jan 10, 2011 10:52 pm |
| Keliu wrote: |
| DarkMoon wrote: |
| I got it now Keliu, I am pretty confused on that front myself? I know I can't take a high dose, but would love to use it topically if it can work just with that small amount? |
If you're just looking for a skin cream, why don't you try the Life Extension New Face Serum. It has 1% Estriol and they say it has no systemic effect. I'm currently using it and I like it.
http://www.lef.org/Vitamins-Supplements/Item01076/New-Face-Solution.html |
Thanks Keliu,
I may just throw caution to the wind on this one and give it a try. That concentration doesn't sound "dangerous"  |
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I'LL SEE YOU ON THE DARKSIDE OF THE MOON.... |
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Tue Jan 11, 2011 5:28 am |
I have found a clinic in my area that specialises in BHRT. This is the website - it has quite allot of information:
http://www.hormoneclinic.com.au/
But note, this doctor is also saying that BHRT carries the same risks as HRT - this is what I keep hearing. He also says that they should only be taken for 2 years:
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| Once deciding to embark on taking hormone replacement one is usually forced to grapple with the risk/benefits factor. It must be stressed that although we believe Bio-identical hormones used in troches may be safer than Synthetic hormones, there are still risks relating to the use of natural hormones. These risks are mostly related to the uses of oestrogen and the increase risk of breast cancer. For medicolegal purposes we have to assume the use of bio-identical hormones carries the same risk as synthetic hormones. The current thinking suggests that if we need to use any form of oestrogen to treat menopause we should attempt to stop this within 2 yrs of commencement. |
http://www.hormoneclinic.com.au/bio_identical_hormone_replacement_therapy.php |
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Born 1950. There's a new cream on the market that gets rid of wrinkles - you smear it on the mirror!! |
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Tue Jan 11, 2011 6:57 am |
Here are some random comments based on what I've researched and/or experienced personally:
(1) As far as systemic absorption of topicals, there are research studies and professional guidance available on this - so you can make an informed decision (because each person's situation is so individual).
(2) When you have no eggs left, you no longer ovulate. If you are continuing to bleed monthly, that is prompted by the hormones triggering the uterine to shed...to me, this is very similar to what happens with birth control pills (a "false" period).
(4) There are mixed professional opinions as to whether it is beneficial to continue to bleed monthly after you no longer have any eggs left.
(5) As far as I understand it, HRT cannot stop or delay menopause, it is used to alleviate menopausal symptoms OR to prevent/have an impact on other underlying diseases - examples: diabetes, osteoporosis, heart disease,etc. - of course when used in conjunction with continuous testing and based on your own personal situation (health history, age, etc.)
BF |
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Tue Jan 11, 2011 7:02 am |
[i]So, if you're taking such a low dose that you don't have a cycle, how do you know it's acting as it should?>
Periodic testing will let you know if its having the intended effects because your practitioner is monitoring the levels of various hormones and your liver, to make sure everything is working in concert.
Hormones need to perform like a symphony.
As far as tender breasts, my own were very tender during the first few months of HRT, but this went away. I researched the reason and it made sense to me (has to do with estrogen receptors, perimeno or meno, etc.)
BF |
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Tue Jan 11, 2011 7:08 am |
Personally, I believe that any kind of hormone, whether natural, manmade, bioidentical or not, can be harmful if you don't know what you are doing, trying to self-diagnose and/or aren't getting tested.
There's a lot of confusing info out there, you need to find sources you can trust. I "mostly" trust my doctor, the North American Menopause Society and some book authors - I say "mostly" because new information emerges all the time, this is a very dynamic topic and if you truly want to stay as healthy as you can, you need to stay on top of it.
BF |
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Tue Jan 11, 2011 7:11 am |
I think most hormones can be converted by the body to other hormones. Remember that the body strives to compensate whenever possible.
I wish Josee would chime in. I think she's a gynecologist and I am sure she would set me straight...
BF  |
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Tue Jan 11, 2011 7:13 am |
| I have found a Dr who specializes in this and when I get back home (I am away) I am going to make an appointment. Even when I was on conventional HRT I DID NOT have a period. (nor do I ever want one) What I want are the protections of BHRT. I found an excellent article on the Harvard Med Journal http://www.health.harvard.edu/newsweek/What-are-bioidentical-hormones.htm |
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Too numerous to mention! |
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