Decreased Estrogen

[gilby]

I am in my late 40's and I have noticed this last year, loosing weight is more difficult. I have talked to my DR. and she has said its due to the slowing of estrogen. Anyone taking a natural supplement to help increase estrogen?

 

[Hisgirl]

Hi Gilby!

That loss of estrogen can sure mess with all different parts of our bodies, that's for sure! I was 46 when I began to wonder why my wrist joints were achy, and what is that achy pain in my eye, and why did I suddenly put on 18 pounds in 6 months when I was a size 4 to begin with.

After chasing symptoms and going from doctor to doctor, someone finally checked my hormones. She said, "You numbers indicate you are 'POST menopause" My periods had suddenly stopped and I also went 21 nights laying wide awake.

All night.

That'll get your attention. So, yes, I took plant based estrogen...and progesterone. I used the under the tongue pill and took them for 3 years. I slept like a baby, all the sore joints stopped, the dry eyes (and other dry parts)...it all went away.

BUT....

My normally sized B ****ies grew into size D melons! Was my husband happy? You betcha! But gracious, I had this four inch 'line' I had to worry about with every shirt I put on, and people stared. I had BIG OL' DINNERS. I was worried so I eventually stopped taking them and so far the symptoms have stayed away. That was 3 years ago and I'm pretty much ok, except for that pesky ten pounds.

If you do take them, make sure you use the bio-identcal kind and don't use the cream. It can store up in your fat cells. All the best to you!

 

[FLCyndi]

I use the cream. What are the pills you put under your tongue?

 

[njcarita]

just make sure to okay with your doctor.............. i am not allowed to take ANY hormones supplemenents....... due to heart risks......... my good friend was taken off them due to cancer............. so just make sure your doc knows your family history and your medical history well

 

[coastgirl]

Useful discussion for me, thank you. I am losing weight at about half the rate I did 7 years ago. I also am about to see my doc for what I feared was the start of arthritis. I know HRT is a dirty word for many docs, but I think we need to balance risks with individual profile. If I can't exercise, given my family history, I am at a much greater risk for diabetes than I am for cancer.

 

[Hisgirl]

Speaking to your doctor about this is IMPERATIVE as hormones are serious business and should NOT be taken unless you have a prescription! I am 100% against using over the counter hormones creams. There is one being sold by a famous multi level marketing and I follow the trail all the way back to the manufacturer to try to discover the exact ingredients and how much hormone was actually in the cream. It was not available and that sent up huge red flags!

You just can't mess with hormones without education. I think a middle aged female gyno would be great to walk you through this phase. I found a very sympathetic male gyno and he used a compounding company out of Denver. They are very careful and only use natural plant based hormones...from the Yam plant etc. Synthetic hormones just don't line up chemically with our bodies and can cause issues.

Be careful with creams. I read of a doctor who was happily prescribing progesterone cream until he tested one patient and her level was 5000% over what it should have been. The progesterone was getting stored in her fat cells by the rubbing into the skin. The under the tongue melts and gets into the blood streams quickly.

Again, talk to your doctor. There can be risk, although the actual number of women who had problems was apparently very low compared to the other controlled group. My endo doctor said he feels they are safe for about 5 years. I only took them because I stopped falling asleep. Like STOPPED completely. I had to choose what I was willing to risk in order to get my sanity back.

Menopause can be really tough. I haven't had a period in about 4 - 5 years so I'm passed it all. But the bodily changes are tough. Tough. Get as skinny as you can prior to hitting 52-ish, cause man oh man, that weight gain can come on fast!

 

[FLCyndi]

I had a complete hysterectomy and gyno put me on compound of estrogen, progesterone and testosterone. I have been using for almost a year.

My primary care dr said I didn't need hormones that an anti-depressant would do the same thing. I am not depressed and have never used an anti-depressant.

This is very confusing and now I am wondering if the cream is just sitting in fat cells.

 

[Hisgirl]

An antidepressant for menopause symptoms? I"m guessing that was a man?
Nothing wrong to get your levels checked to see where you are now that you're taking a supplement. It's always good to check levels occasionally to make sure your dosage is doing what you want it to do. I took them for three years, but tried about every four months to get off. If my symptoms came back, I"d start again. Nothing is best for sure.

 

[ohMom]

I have been and continue to learn the balance of hormones and the HUGE role they play in our bodies

that said...I could not get my endo or gyno to prescribe me estrogen even though through my research I know I am estrogen deficient. I have researched and learned that most women feel best when their testosterone is 50% value of estrogen. I have got my testosterone up through Rx through compounding pharmacy as I produce none due to pituitary and adrenal surgery. I decided to try OTC estrogen cream to see if I noticed a difference and then pursue with doc. I did notice a difference. I know that OTC creams are a fraction of prescribed ones, and so I choose this as a way to test it out. I ordered it on amazon.

I do get my levels checked through lab work too; I think this is essential.

 

[Hisgirl]

I also heard of gals having trouble finding a doctor who would prescribe them, so I researched and found a couple of local compounding pharmacists and called. I asked if they could recommend some doctors for whom they do hormone compounds and was happily given 2-3 gyno doctor names.

 

[momof2minnies]

Please be careful using estrogens- I went through early menopause around the age of 43 MD wanted to put me on estrogens- I don't like meds so I said no.

Boy am I glad I did because last year i was diagnosed with estrogen positive breast cancer, at 46, and not only may have it been worse but I would have blamed myself for giving in to the MD and taking the hormones.


Now I can't take them anyway, exercise and a clean diet has taken most symptoms away.


Linda

 

[Hisgirl]

Please be careful using estrogens- I went through early menopause around the age of 43 MD wanted to put me on estrogens- I don't like meds so I said no.

Boy am I glad I did because last year i was diagnosed with estrogen positive breast cancer, at 46, and not only may have it been worse but I would have blamed myself for giving in to the MD and taking the hormones.


Now I can't take them anyway, exercise and a clean diet has taken most symptoms away.


Linda

Linda, thank you so much for stating this. And I'm so happy you are here and eating healthy and continuing to live your life! Blessing to you!
Estrogen positive breast cancer is something that we all want to avoid and watching our diets and lifestyle for items containing estrogen is important. Staying away from soy and BPA containing products is key.

Anyone who is experiencing severe menopausal symptoms should explore all the other options out there to treat the issues. I only chose plant based bio identical hormones because I stopped sleeping...even with a sleeping pill. I had no other choice.

I hope everyone is exploring exercise. I have heard that it reduces our chances of breast cancer by 60%. Not sure if that is correct, but I have now gotten my duff off the sofa and am working out...sweating and all with a heart rate monitor watch. I've lost one pound (that is FOUR STICKS OF BUTTER!) off my body! Ten to go! And muscles to grow!

 

[ghoulishgirl]

Don't forget, as we age, we lose muscle. After the age of 30 it can be as high as 3 to 5% every decade. Muscle burns calories, so make sure you are doing your strength training. It keeps us looking good and also helps with bone density.