Bioidentical hormones

[Mothergoose]

I am curious if anyone has investigated bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. I am tempted to try this but it may not be affordable for me because insurance does not cover it because they think it is elective.

Is there any real help with this or is this just a luxury many enjoy and may benefit occasionally?

[DebB]

I've been taking bio-identicals (estrogen, progesterone & testosterone) for over 5 years. My insurance picks up 50% of the est and pro. It no longer pays for the testosterone.

I can point you towards my mail order pharmacy in AZ if you'd like. They charge about half the price of my local pharmacies. I'm very happy with them, they're excellent to do business with. *Ü*

[Mary Kay]

I believe in testing yourself, and if low, doing the bio-identical hormones. The only thing I'm currently doing is progesterone. so far, my testosterone has tested fine, and my estradiol was high --in a bad way, so until I get it down, I will not be doing any estradiol or estriol of any kind.

HTH,

Mary Kay

[DebB]

Hi Mary Kay ~ I'm interested to know how you test yourself? *Ü*

[Mary Kay]

Oh, LOL, I don't test myself! I go to the doctor!

But I've done all sorts of tests, both saliva and blood in the past. I've done saliva and blood at the same time, and feel they're both worth it. The month-long saliva test was cool too. Shows you what you do on a day-to-day basis, but it's been a few years since I've done one.

Anything I ask for, my doc will do it ---and then some. She's a hormone whiz. Lately however, she seems to have curbed her entusiasm for taking hormones for being "younger's" sake. It'll be interesting to see after I get tested what she recommends.

I'm not going to test though for probably a couple more months....

HTH,

Mary Kay

[DebB]

Ohh - okay :) My (holistic) MD also tests me. Typically at least once a year, unless I'm having issues. This last time my testosterone was too high, so he cut my dose in half and then I was retested about 6 weeks later.

Interestingly my doctor says that once we're on bios, blood testing is more accurate than saliva. Saliva is fine prior to starting bios though. (Just sharing what he said about that in case someone might find it helpful.) *Ü*

[Mothergoose]

What do the hormones really help with? If you have to go off them will the body be dependent...like insulin, etc? I also do not like taking anything. They have the pellets they inject in the buttocks and they have creams. I think I can work with those maybe...and then you have to take progesterone pills like the bc pill.

It sound like a little of a bother to me...because I am not accustomed to consuming anything for medical purposes.


Anyway, I am 54 and just wonder if it is worth it.

[DebB]

What do the hormones really help with? If you have to go off them will the body be dependent...like insulin, etc? I also do not like taking anything. They have the pellets they inject in the buttocks and they have creams. I think I can work with those maybe...and then you have to take progesterone pills like the bc pill.

It sound like a little of a bother to me...because I am not accustomed to consuming anything for medical purposes.


Anyway, I am 54 and just wonder if it is worth it.

You're the only one that can determine if it's worth it to you or not. For me, I read some good books on peri/menopause and bios to see if if it was a route I wanted to travel. I'm 55, still menstruate (although irregularly as of late) and started perimenopause symptoms and bios when I was in my late 40s.

I read the books while I was in my 40s to learn more for when my perimenopause symptoms started. I decided that was the route I wanted to go and figured when my first hot flash hit, I would scoot to the doctor's. It did and I did and I've been on them ever since. Our hormones levels are always in flux, so please don't think, "I can take XX mg of progesterone (or what have you) for XX years and all will be good." It doesn't work that way. It takes self education and monitoring from a qualified doctor.

I take all 3 of mine in cream form applied vaginally. You need the least amount using this method because the absorption rate is higher than any other application method. But there are many other ways to take bios if you choose - troches, topically, sublingually, capsule, etc.

I love it that we can talk about this without getting slammed. Hope this helps. *Ü*

[DawnD]

I just wanted to chime in and encourage you to also look at the things in the environment and skin care world that are hormone disruptors. There are also foods that can help elevate progesterone or elevate estrogen. I had to do some research for myself after being diagnosed with adenomyosis (endometriosis in the uterus) at age 47.

I found that plastics, pesticides, food additives, and the chemicals in shampoos and lotions such as the parabens can disrupt hormones. Many men and women young and old have abnormal hormone levels because of the exposure in our everyday routine.

I changed my shampoo, conditioner, skin care, and body lotion to Burts Bees brand because it has none of the culprits I am avoiding and is readily available and affordable. I also carry my drinking water in glass jars to avoid additional exposure to plastic. I was still using a #7 for all these years and didn't realize it released BPA. I don't use styling gel but I still use hairspray. I did the 30 day raw challenge and noticed about half way thru the monthe that the weight I was retaining melted off and the quirky pain in my uterus stopped. Thats an inspiration to stay raw.

Anyway I hope this will help you to look for the other things that you can do to keep your hormones balanced naturally for as long as possible.

[Mothergoose]

I was wondering if I could do this naturally or without spending the money on these hormone treatments. I am not really experiencing anything that bothers me except the middrift bulge. I think if I really dedicate myself I can lose the bulge if I eat raw. I just have to be 100%.

Suzanne Somers' "Sexy Forever" book really inspired me to investigate this. I am still in study of this and wonder how safe it really is.

[DebB]

I found Suzanne's book the easiest for me to understand. I used to "Somersize" (started in 2001) and continued until I started eating this way.

[Revvell]

I'm 63, have never taken it and don't see why I would.

[garden granny]

I tried it for a couple of months, and got all screwed up, anxiety, weight gain, depression, energy then lack of energy, and I quickly realized this was not for me.

[FeSantacl]

thanks, you right have nice day :)