women in midlife

[historyteach]

http://www.afriendindeed.ca/clinics.htm
For women in menopause and midlife.

Just found this; full of info. You might be interested.

Shalom!

[Rowan]

Thanks for the link, Teach!
I've made the decision to try bioidentical hormones. I found a clinic not far from me and go for a consult in the next two weeks. So looking forward to some relief!
Rowan

[historyteach]

Rowan;
I've never heard of bioidentical hormones. Can you tell us a bit about it please?

Shalom!

[Hopefloats]

Rowan...good luck with your doctor's visit. I tried the bioidentical hormones and I had to settle for the synthetic, in my particular case.

There are many options though with the bio's that work very well for many women. Some of the sublingual (sp) drops are very popular as are the creams. I was very fortunate to have a compounding pharmacist in my area. That can be hard to find. If you go to www.power-surge.com you will also see that they have a pharmacist that can make the compounds if that is a problem for you, and he can accept your prescriptions from your doctor.

I wish you luck. I feel like I could be the poster child for HRT. Feel free to pm me with any questions..
Hope

[Rowan]

Good morning,

Nice to know that we are not alone in this. Hope, I have recently stumbled upon the power-surge site and that's where I found my first solid information about bioidentical hormones. From what I understand, the bioidentical hormones are more 'natural' in that they are derived from plants (wild yams and soy) and are identical to the hormones already present in a woman's body. The synthetic, for example 'Premarin' is derived from pregnant mare's urine, and is completely foreign to a woman's body. I know that there is a lot of controversy surrounding HRT but in my case, being in perimenopause, the risks are not as great, as it's important that I produce enough estrogen to protect my bones. My mom has advanced osteo - never took HRT - didn't believe in it. Her symptoms weren't debilitating though.
Synthetic hormones are approved by the FDA and therefore my drug plan will pay for them. Bioidentical hormones are less 'mainstream' and not as 'regulated' and therefore I have to pay for any clinic/doctor costs, and for the hormones. It's a tough decision!
If I go to my ob/gyn he'll probably prescribe combination HRT due to my symptoms, but won't have test results to confirm the diagnosis. It's not uncommon to have normal FSH levels during peri. If I go to this private clinic, they'll do blood AND salivary testing (much more accurate), a pelvic ultrasound, and prescribe a 'regimen' plus the hormones not just the drugs.
Hope, can you tell me more about your history, and what you've taken? I feel so bloody crazy. At least with PMS I knew that's what it was based on when it was happeneing. These symptoms, mood swings, sweats, incontinence, happen all the time and my boyfriend says he is supportive but sorry he's not! He keeps telling me that it's typical alcoholic behaviour and that I have a choice as to how I feel. Yeah, right! Climb into my shoes for a minute, mister! I'm ready to walk away from this guy because he is so closed-minded about this. ARRGGHH
I look forward to hearing your experiences, my friends.
Row

[Neagrm]

Such a challenging time of life. It's important to listen to yourself and great that you are. The physical effects of the waning hormones are real and profound and your bf sounds very unaware and oblivious to the facts, like much of society. You need support, not preaching from his place of ignorance and misunderstanding regarding women's biology. There are some great sites out there with very helpful info on this. Best of luck to you on your journey.

[BlissnBlessed]

Hello All, I'm new here hoping to learn and be of support to others too. Wish I had found this warm, loving, friendly place decades ago. The power here is greater than any medicine and the after effects wonderful because of the fabulous women here. We all come from a place where we may have lost our uniqueness, but we are all fabulous in our own way and we are going to not only be FABULOUS again but BETTER....May we all celebrate our continuing support and successes together.
The PowerSurge site is the best all around site for women I have found, I agree!! This is also a great site to suggest to our daughters and grand daughters too. They too need this great info.

"LIFE IS YOUR STAGE....YOU WRITE THE SCRIPT.....SO PUT ON SOME SASS AND SPARKLE!"...Jaclynn Berry MASCR

[Jane63]

Thank you for the link historyteach! Lots of good info there and I even found someone in my area that I may go see if my GYN keeps looking at me with that blank expression everytime I start talking about Menopause!
Jane