Taking estrogen before menopause questions.....

[traces7]

Does anyone who hasn't gone through menopause take estrogen?

My dr gave me some samples of Premarin to try. Now after reading the flyer in the box, I'm a little nervous to take them. She just gave me a 2 week sample, so I should be fine just to see if they help me at all, right?

I'm 41 years old, been having problems for about a year (since hitting 40!). I've been having a lot of burning feeling, lack of sexual desire and reoccuring yeast infections, moodiness before my period and the last 2 months, lighter periods. We've tried other creams, gels, etc., nothing has really helped. I am going to be tested for diabetes, thryoid problems, and they are going to check my hormone levels. I'm pretty sure it's all hormonal. So she gave me this sample of estrogen to try for now. Would you take it? Or does anyone else have any other ideas to solve my problems. If you take estrogen has it helped? Thanks so much for any help! So far turning 40 has not been very fun!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

If I were considering this (or anything else for that matter) I would spend a lot of time researching it in order to make an informed decision. You always need to weigh the benefits vs the risks when choosing any type of therapy. There's a lot of recent data on ERT. Here are some articles to get you started:

http://www.webmd.com/hw/menopause/hw228460.asp

http://www.webmd.com/hw/menopause/tn9952.asp

Ultimately, it's always a personal decision made between you and your doctor based on your own health, knowledge and comfort level. Good luck.

 

[Christine]

At age 43, I am having a lot, if not most, of the same symptoms you described. My GYN was totally opposed to doing anything like this. Wouldn't even prescribe me any Vagifem because of the *possibility* that some of the hormones (estrogen) could go systemic. Apparently, that's not such a good thing if you are not in menopause.

I suppose I would try the Premarin only if I had proof through bloodwork that my estrogen was consistently low.

 

[LoraJ]

I complained to my dermatologist that my hair was thining. He had my bloodwork done and they found my prolactin levels to be high. He sent me to an endo. The endo didn't see anything wrong with me hormonally that would cause my hair to fall out so he put me on Premarin .3mg. It did nothing for me. I really didn't like the guy and decided not to return to him and just discuss with my gyno. I went to the gyno yesterday and he told me to get off the Premarin.

Maybe you should get tested for the other things before trying this? Bot sure which dosage she gave you.

 

[traces7]

At age 43, I am having a lot, if not most, of the same symptoms you described. My GYN was totally opposed to doing anything like this. Wouldn't even prescribe me any Vagifem because of the *possibility* that some of the hormones (estrogen) could go systemic. Apparently, that's not such a good thing if you are not in menopause.

I suppose I would try the Premarin only if I had proof through bloodwork that my estrogen was consistently low.

What did you do for your symptoms? The most aggravating one is the low sex drive (for my DH anyway)! I'm not going to take the estrogen until I know for sure I decided that. I'm going to call my dr today and talk to her again and tell her my concerns. I don't like what I've read about estrogen.

 

[hydster]

I would look into some natural progesterone cream. I had these same symptoms for years but in my case it was decided *by me not medical doctors* that I was estrogen dominant and needed to decrease it by increasing progesterone levels. ETA: My doc was pushing estrogen on me all the time but I wouldn't take it as I've seen my mom deal with the side effects of it.

As we get older Progesterone production ceases or is suppressed. If you become estrogen dominant it can give you all of the symptoms you are describing.

Some of the most effects of estrogen dominance are

Increased Body Fat
Interference with Thyroid Hormone Activity (hypo-thyroid)
Depression & Headaches
Salt and Water Retention
Blood Sugar Irregularities (Food Cravings)
Reduced Oxygen in All Cells
Decreased Libido (Sex Drive)
Loss of Zinc and Retention of Copper
Increased Risk of Breast Cancer
Increased Risk of Endometrial Cancer
Endometriosis
Uterine Cramping
Infertility
Increased Risk of Uterine Cancer


I bought some cream at a local health food store that I use just like you would birth control. I start on the 1st day of every month *not related to period* and use it for 21 days straight and then get off for 7. It's really starting to help me with a LOT of these issues above.

 

[Christine]

What did you do for your symptoms? The most aggravating one is the low sex drive (for my DH anyway)! I'm not going to take the estrogen until I know for sure I decided that. I'm going to call my dr today and talk to her again and tell her my concerns. I don't like what I've read about estrogen.

I've done nothing!! How's that. I'm pretty sure tha tthere is nothing that can be done. I've got a few other issues and I just don't want to mess with hormones.

A lot of what hydster says is true about the estrogen dominance. So why would you add more estrogen? I've read that many women have had luck with the progesterone creams so you might give that a try. I'm just too chicken.

Also, I think for low sex drive, it is mainly do to a decline in testosterone in woman. We don't get very much of that anyway but things get even worse in your 40s.

I know a woman who lives in California who had a hysterectomy in her 30s. She always had her HRT compounded by a doctor and it included a little bit of testosterone. Apparently it works wonders!!!

 

[traces7]

I would look into some natural progesterone cream. I had these same symptoms for years but in my case it was decided *by me not medical doctors* that I was estrogen dominant and needed to decrease it by increasing progesterone levels. ETA: My doc was pushing estrogen on me all the time but I wouldn't take it as I've seen my mom deal with the side effects of it.

As we get older Progesterone production ceases or is suppressed. If you become estrogen dominant it can give you all of the symptoms you are describing.

Some of the most effects of estrogen dominance are

Increased Body Fat
Interference with Thyroid Hormone Activity (hypo-thyroid)
Depression & Headaches
Salt and Water Retention
Blood Sugar Irregularities (Food Cravings)
Reduced Oxygen in All Cells
Decreased Libido (Sex Drive)
Loss of Zinc and Retention of Copper
Increased Risk of Breast Cancer
Increased Risk of Endometrial Cancer
Endometriosis
Uterine Cramping
Infertility
Increased Risk of Uterine Cancer


I bought some cream at a local health food store that I use just like you would birth control. I start on the 1st day of every month *not related to period* and use it for 21 days straight and then get off for 7. It's really starting to help me with a LOT of these issues above.

Thanks for this info. I had not heard of this. I'll look into it!

 

[traces7]

I've done nothing!! How's that. I'm pretty sure tha tthere is nothing that can be done. I've got a few other issues and I just don't want to mess with hormones.

A lot of what hydster says is true about the estrogen dominance. So why would you add more estrogen? I've read that many women have had luck with the progesterone creams so you might give that a try. I'm just too chicken.

Also, I think for low sex drive, it is mainly do to a decline in testosterone in woman. We don't get very much of that anyway but things get even worse in your 40s.

I know a woman who lives in California who had a hysterectomy in her 30s. She always had her HRT compounded by a doctor and it included a little bit of testosterone. Apparently it works wonders!!!

I'm more inclined to do nothing too! But my DH is having a hard time with my low sex drive. I really don't like the yeast infections either. But I'm wondering if it would all even out eventually or get better once I hit menopause???? Oh well, I think I'll wait and see what the bloodwork says. Thanks!

 

[hydster]

Also I would suggest reading this book. It talks about peri-menopause and menopause and it sounds to me like this is where you are heading.

Take a look at this website.
http://www.johnleemd.com/

It has books about pre-menopause and menopause and he has some very interesting ideas to try before going on HRT's.

 

[Christine]

I'm more inclined to do nothing too! But my DH is having a hard time with my low sex drive.

Don't they always have an issue with it??

I really don't like the yeast infections either. But I'm wondering if it would all even out eventually or get better once I hit menopause???? Oh well, I think I'll wait and see what the bloodwork says. Thanks!

Are you 100% sure that you are having yeast infections. I went through "years" of this and sometimes still do. It always felt like a yeast infection and looked like one, but when I went to the doctor it wasn't. Sometimes I did have one, but not often, but I always felt like I had one. For me, it is just some sort of irritation that causes burning. This can be due to so many things, including hormone imbalances, allergies, general dryness, pelvic floor dysfunction causing nerve issues. There are actually vulvodynia specialists that can help with this.

 

[traces7]

Thanks to eveyrone for all your advice. Does anyone have more opinions? Can I hear from anyone who has taken estrogen and has it helped?
hydster: Thanks for the link, his books sound interesting, I orderd 2 of them from the library.
Christine: I'm definitely sure they are yeast infections. I've had them off and on for a year, the ones earlier I wasn't sure about, but the last 3 months have definitely been yeast.
LoraJ: I think I have the .3mg Premarin also