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[MegnB]

I have a current BHRT prescription cream that has both estrogen and progesterone. I'm supposed to use one pump daily (or more if symptoms are present). I still have the very occasional, very light period.

After reading through the site, I see that women who still have periods are usually prescribed some type of sequential estrogen/progesterone treatment instead of a combined,daily treatment.

Now I'm wondering if I should throw the script in the bin and find another doctor. <sigh>  Am I just confused?

[Dana]

My opinion is yes throw it the bin. You have been prescribed compounded HRT. There are a lot of reasons why no medical or menopause authority endorses this kind of HRT, but one of the major reasons is that this kind of progesterone cream can not properly opposed the estrogen so if you have a uterus you could be at risk of having the lining build up.

What you need to do is find a doctor that will only prescribe regulated HRT.

I'm not on my computer at the moment, but later on I can give you some links to some informative sites.

[MegnB]

Sorry I don't recognise a cream containing both oestrogen and progesterone - am presuming you are not in the UK?

I am in the UK and visited one of the "recommended" BHRT specialists in London. The cream is from a compounding pharmacy.

Meg

[MegnB]

Thank you, Dana.

I thought I'd done all the necessary research, but I realize I didn't ask enough questions. I also ran the script by another ob/gyn who said the dose was so low, she suspected it wasn't doing anything anyway. <sigh>

I'd appreciate the links if you have them. I'll stop using the compounded cream for now and go back to my 20+ flushes a day. Fun times <sigh>

[Dana]

Here are the links I promised. I've got more, but I won't overload you..lol...

Australasian Menopause Society http://www.menopause.org.au/for-women/information-sheets/34-bioidentical-hormones-for-menopausal-symptoms

North American Menopause Society http://www.menopause.org/publications/clinical-practice-materials/bioidentical-hormone-therapy/compounded-bioidentical-hormones-what%27s-the-harm-

Prof John Studd http://www.studd.co.uk/bioidentical_hormones.php

Dr Elizabeth Vliet https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XfpAATJkC8

American FDA http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm049311.htm

[Dana]

Hi MegnB,

I'm not in the UK and I use a compounded formula as you can see below my post. May I ask you what are the doses of estrogen (is it estradiol, estriol, estrone?) and progesterone?

You say you're still having periods, are they regular?

Hi Menomale

Just looking at your signature and I'm a bit confused as to why you are using both a compounded progesterone and Utrogestan. As you can see from my links above compounded HRT, particularly progesterone, isn't recommended, but to use compounded progesterone and Utrogestan seems a bit strange.

Even though compounded progesterone doesn't effectively oppose estrogen, you are still getting the progesterone into your system from the cream. I just hope you aren't getting too much, as that can have serious side effects.

[Dana]

It's obviously up to you to use whatever hormone therapy you feel is right for you, just as long as you are aware of the problems associated with using compounded hormones (as shown in my above links).

I note from your other thread the comment about doctors telling you "that bioidenticals (estradiol, estriol, estrone, progesterone, etc) cannot be patented by big pharmaceuticals because they are naturally occuring molecules". This is the one of the myths that the compounding industry like to tell women to convince them that the only way they can get "natural" hormones is to use their compounded products. However, we all know that isn't true, because you can quite freely get regulated HRT which contains estradiol and progesterone.

[Dana]

That's fine. I don't want to argue with anyone. As long as you are totally aware of all the issues involved, like I said, it's totally up to you what you use.

[MegnB]

Menomale,

Hi! Sorry it took so long to get back to you. The current dosage is Biest .5, Prog 25, Test .25. They also gave me a DHEA supplement that I don't take, but that's neither here nor there

[Mary G]

MegnB, DHEA can make a huge difference because it means you start to produce your own hormones again.  This it vital for me because my migraines are caused by my not producing my own hormones anymore. 

My gynaecologist thinks I should take 10mg DHEA everyday but the migraine specialist said 25mg everyday.  I tried the 10mg for a while but had a migraine so I have now reverted back to 25mg and will keep with that. 

I also take 2 pumps of Oestrogel everyday, a small bead of testosterone and 100mg Utrogestan (micronised progesterone) vaginally for 7 days every 5 weeks.

Please note, post menopausal women with a womb should never use DHEA without systemic HRT. 

DHEA is also suitable for men and my partner takes 25mg everyday. 

[MegnB]

Hi Mary,

Haha. Why is this all so confusing? I did so. much. research before I decided to start HRT and felt good about my decision. With the new information out, combined with my questioning my original prescription along with the side effects I had, I finally tapered off everything (and semi-regretting it).

Being a girl is hard 

Thanks for taking the time to post about the dhea.

Best,
M

[Hurdity]

Hi MegnB

I am in UK and agree with Dana - bin the prescription and go to an NHS doctor to get bio-identical hormones - the proper ones - ie regulated estradiol and progesterone, not the compounded ones. Dana's given you some great links there . They are all listed under Treatments/HRT preparations above tabs.

From what I remember preliminary results for DHEA are promising but the outcome of taking it is by no means certain since it is a precursor to our sex hormones, but not a direct one, so what it is metabolised to will depend what the limiting factor is. I need to do some more reading when it starts to get dark early!

Have you said where you are in menopause and what your symptoms are - perhaps we can help you more specifically if we know?

Hurdity x

[MegnB]

Hi Hurdity,

I still have the occasional light period. Nothing regular. Just can't seem to give them up. HA! I tried to get an appointment with the local NHS and the wait is a laughable 2 months. 

A quick appointment with a private gyn left me with only higher dose options, which I'm not willing to consider.

It's hard being a girl 

Thank you for your help!