Hi
Following a suggestion from my previous post, does anybody have any experience of bio identical hormones as an alternative to normal HRT? My GP want me to go back on HRT again, but I am not keen as I've alreay tried 3 different types and didn't notice any benefit in taking them except sore breasts and bloat!
Recent blood tests show My oestradiol level as 18.4pmol/l and testosterone 0.436nmol/l. Didn't have progesterone tested. I'm 56 and post menopausal.
Thank you. Debbie
Having read Suzanne Summers best selling book on Bioidentical HRT I was keen to find out more so I also read Dr. Wiley's book (she is the originator the The Wiley Protocol bio identical HRT monthly cycle. Armed with all this information I approached I approached a Lifestyle Doctor and asked for the Wiley protocol HRT for the same reasons as you, I.e. synthetic HRT which is usually made from the urine of pregnant horses did not agree with me. Due to my age (58 at the time) and post menopausal status, he was reluctant to give it to me. Instead I've ended up with a customised capsule comprising Vit D, Testosterone and Pregelolone. The last being the precursor foe Estrogen and progesterone. My serum levels of Vit D and testosterone have increased but I don't really feel any different. In conclusion I think doctors are reluctant to prescribe bioidentical HRT unless you are Peri menopausal or can find a devotee of the Wiley method. Unfortunately, that's difficult unless you live in the USA
PS I also got my GP to prescribe a natural Estrogen made up by the local compounding pharmacist which doesn't contain artificial additives or preservatives. It's a gel which I apply intravaginally and have to keep in the fridge. I'm still trying to find out what is the source of the estrogen but at least there's no other chemicals in it!
Thank you so much for replying. It's hard to know which way to turn. I live in Northern Ireland and it's difficult to access anything 'alternative' here. I think I'd rather stay as I am rather than go back on hrt as before. I will try reading the books you suggested and take it from there. Thanks again.
Yes, that's a good start. The Suzanne Summers one is called Ageless and it's OK but a bit too "California Barbie doll" for my liking and the other one Sex, Lies and Menopause by TS Wiley is good but contains a lot of scientific terminology that could confuse you if you're not familiar with it. She's a bit extreme the other way. That's why I just went for a doctor who happily agreed with my request to be at the middle of my normal blood ranges but for a young person rather than a 59 year old. Unfortunately it didn't make my libido return to how it was when I was 21, but then common sense does have to sometimes prevail !!! Good luck
Have you ever just used progesterone and see if it helps? I am partial to Dr. Bergman and the lady he has as a guest in this episode was very good. All of his videos are informative.
Hi Maggie you can get the wiley protocol. I am living London and I have been a wp patient for a 11 years. We have a fb group "wiley protocol support. " 💜
Thanks Litegem. I'll check it out
I've tried bio identical hormones a couple of times over the last 5 years.
Unfortunately it has never been of any benefit to me. I always end up with painful lumpy breasts , fibroid problems and generally feel worse ( and scared what else I'm causing )
I'm thyroidless for 15 years and on NDT replacement. Whether that means that I'm more hormone sensitive I don't know but I definitely can't tolerate hormone replacement.
I guess it's not for everyone however bio identical it may be !
Thanks for your reply. I'm beginning to think you may be right! I would love to try NDT as I was convinced I am hypothyroid but all blood tests are normal range. Unfortunately Gp won't prescribe it and from what I gather you can't buy it online without a prescription, so it's seems I'm stuck!
Thanks again, Debbie
AmandaQ,
Exactly which bioidentical hormones did you try? Your symptoms sound like an excess of oestrogen.
Sorry, misunderstanding- I haven't tried the bio identical ones, but have been on Indivina, Kliovance, and Kliofem. Didn't get on on any of them so I gave up! Obs and gynae Consultant gave me oestrogen pessaries for vaginal wall thinning as had a bit of bleeding which has now resolved. She said due to low oestrogen so don't know where I am! It's a minefield.
Thanks for your interest.
DebraT,
You've replied to me and not AmandaQ. Not sure you were meant to. Go to the post you wish to reply to and click reply directly underneath.
Whoops! That's the old brain fog working!
Well I think it was but I had a combination tailor made for me . Later tried progesterone only as suspected oestrogen was not doing me any favours - unfortunately in time that just made anxiety and various other things worse too !
I use bioidentical oestrogen & progesterone cream & they work for me.
I use Serenity cream which I do find helps; Dr Peatfield recommended it. Until now I have used the progesterone only one but I have just ordered the one with a small amount of oestrogen in. I am 56 and post menopause.
I use natural microgenized progesterone. 200 mg every night. It has been a life saver for me. Brand names Utrogest og Utrogestan in Europe and Prometrium in the US.
Also optimizing thyroid meds (T4/T3).
Do you take it every night; not just from day 15-25 o cycle? That is how it was prescribed for me, to follow natural cycle.
I take it every night. It was not prescribed by a doctor. I found the info on a chat room for MS.
The Hertoghe doctors in Belgium only prescribe bioidentical HRT. I have been on Estrogel (estradiol cream) and Utrogestan (progesterone) 200 mg for the past five years (I'm 48). I have definitely noticed improvement on them. I use estradiol day 5-25 of cycle and progesterone day 15-25 of cycle.
My doctor explained to me that bioidentical hormones are identical to those produced by our own bodies, which is why the body recognises them and uses them as intended...unlike synthetic hormones.
That's great. You're lucky you sought help before you got to menopause. My doctor days once you've been post menopausal for 5 years (my situation) they won't give u the bioidentical hrt
I use bioidentical hormones estrogen and progesterone. I have to order from American as I want the ones with no preservatives in them. Someone said about lumpy breasts when using them. I did have this until I got my iodine levels up and than hey ho! no lumpy painful breasts.
Interesting about estrogene. Many of the opinion that menopausal and postmenopausal estrogene hrt not needed just progesterone.
Hi DebraT, I now use wellspring serenity cream. It contains progesterone only and I now feel better for using it. Before I was using estradiol hrt from the doctor, as it didn't seem to work (still really bad flushing day and night) they doubled my dose which resulted in a lot of weight gain permanent painful sore breasts and personally I feel having to much oestrogen messed my thyroid up. I would try the bio identical cream as we all need progesterone to make oestrogen and testosterone, you've nothing to lose.
Patches are bio identical, as is gel and implants, all available on the NHS
You could be right Mouldyoledoll (wonderful name) but when I had patches they were not bio identical but from horse's urine which gives me the horrors.
Ah, like Premarin?
Yes, like Premarin
Hi DebraT, like others I used Serenity biodentical cream - I stopped because of weight gain but that seems to have been the thyroid. I didn't notice any benefit from the cream but the reason I started using it was that someone I know who does looks and feels marvellous for it.
Best of luck and I hope you soon feel better
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