Bioidentical estrogen

[KwanYingirl]

Have any of you used bioidentical estrogen to help with menopause symptoms. Mine aggravate my PTSD. The memory lapses, fatigue, etc. I’m 64 and entered menopause at 42. The cost of it in my neck of the woods is $80/month for the cream, not to mention the physician charge because I would have to travel to MA to get a prescription. Anyway, just curious if anyone has experience with it and don’t mind sharing. Thanks.

 

[Fadeaway]

Why don't you get it at a natural food store that sells vitamins. Much cheaper.

 

[KwanYingirl]

Thanks @Fadeaway i didn’t know that. But if something is bioidentical, doesn’t that mean compounded for each particular persons hormonal balance?

 

[VioletButterfly]

@KwanYingirl - There are plant-based sources of estrogen, i.e. soy and flax, but they are not bioidentical. You might want to do some research on medical v. "natural" sources of estrogen. Also, estrogen and progesterone together and/or apart, and which might be best for what you're experiencing. I'm thinking you have discussed your symptoms and the best approach to help you best lessen or resolve what you're experiencing, but just wanted to mention it. Also, certain SSRIs are used for menopause symptom resolution. I wouldn't touch them for myself, but well..... hormone replacement does have links to Breast cancer, so best to consider all options and what's the best course for you to follow.

Hope you find out what works best for you and that you can get some relief! VB

 

[Fadeaway]

Bioidentical just means chemically, they are the same structure as what is produced in the body. Than can be prescribed to be tailor made, but that isn't always the case.

 

[KwanYingirl]

@VioletButterfly yes I am just researching it. I was a mammo tech for 30 years and the old me is totally against Premarin. It caused so many cancers. Omg it just was awful. But it came from the urine of pregnant mares of all things and I think all those poor women who trusted their docs were just guinea pigs.
What I am wondering is how much of my memory problems are from my PTSD, or my chemical exposure that damaged my limbic system, or menopause? There’s so much that has overlapping symptoms, especially a chemical exposure. So I don’t have access to a large number of women anymore and am curious about the whole bioidentical piece. Personally I don’t want anything to do with soybeans anymore. They’re GMO unless you are very careful. Flax? Well, that might be a good idea for overall health. I’ve never bought it because the good cold pressed liquid is very expensive where I live. It’s something to ponder. I’ll be in the middle of a sentence and then completely lose my train of thought. And word finding problems, but that’s been attributed to the chemicals I worked with. Yesterday, it occurred to me that I simply cannot multitask like I used to be able to. I take an atypical antipsychotic for my depression because it’s the only thing that has ever been remotely helpful to me in terms of concentration.
Who knows what I can do maybe do acupuncture for awhile, get some herbs for detox. It’s helped me in the past.

 

[VioletButterfly]

@KwanYingirl - I hear you on the Prempro...my mom took it for 10-15 years and she did get breast cancer. She survived, but it was a lot for her to go through. I understand how cumbersome it is to try to figure out how to treat yourself without formal medication as I have overlapping physical issues due to endocrine/adrenal problems that the meds either don't help or aren't available. At one point, I researched how to address all of my particular ails, i.e. PCOS, hypothroism, elevated hormones, insulin resistence, skin and heart issues....., plotted the results and then saw where they crossed over one another so that I wasn't taking 30 pills a day. OMG! Who can afford that? So, I took those supplements that treated my issues, augmented my diet, started walking..... I got better. Just one example. I'm hoping your research will show you what foods/supplements/activities will support taking the edge off of what's troubling you. There is a great deal of research on memory and lifestyle changes that can help. I look at that a lot as my mom died from Alzheimers. So, almonds, blueberries, salmon, Vit E, B12 and D3, along with Flax and fiber, lots of water, etc helps. Exercise, engaging with others, destressing... I don't think there's a magic pill or anything, just options to improve our quality of life. Everyone is different so it takes trial and error to figure out what you like and what's doable for you. Oh, and be careful of using herbs for menopause, I've read there have been complications so check them out thoroughly. Some are highly estrogenic and can lead to breast cancer issues. Have you done any research to see if there are any supplements that might help with your chemical exposure? Maybe anti-inflammatories? It's a lot of work, I know. Best of luck to you. VB

 

[KwanYingirl]

I take isotonic supplements. Mix with water and drink it. It delivers the vitamins, etc in the small bowel that’s where the action is. When I have money, I buy OPC calcium and magnesium, aloe juice for my airway disease. I have a lousy diet. Looking forward to fresh picked veggies for awhile. I make ginger and garlic pickles with carrots, cubes and onions.

 

[KwanYingirl]

Well, it doesn’t appeal to me. I can’t find that any real research into BHT. People play around with one or more of the female hormones plus testosterone. There’s just no studies that can answer the questions about source of hormones, which ones do what. From what I’ve gleaned is that estrogen causes cancer. There’s just no magic potion that can help with my symptoms. I most concerned that I have a very poor short term memory. I’ve played guitar my whole life starting at age 12. I wanted to learn how to flatpick so I started lessons. I found that I had to make a video of the directions and the fingering and even simple tunes. If I didn’t watch the video, I can’t remember a thing. Then the fact that I have short fingers made my shoulder go out from having to try to make the notes. So I ended up giving up on that. Then there’s sleep. I can’t stay asleep long enough to get to a deep sleep. I abruptly wake up at 2:30-3:00 every morning.
I take fish oil. I eat a lot of fish where I live on the ocean, the fish is fresh. I already take antioxidants. Ugh...

 

[Fadeaway]

You should always have your levels tested before taking BHT.

Some herbs to look at ate vitex, black cohesh and red clover. Do your research first. The all have conditions in which they are constrained.