I honestly think its about finding the right personal balance.
I'm not even sure the 'tests' available to us will give the true picture of what is 'right' for us... its a fine and delicate balance because we are all different - and the tests along with the 'recommended ranges' are, I believe, outdated.
During my late phase peri-meno (because it took me a while to understand what the h*ll was happening) I believed fully that I was Oestrogen dominant (though no one had explained my test results, or anything, to me) - I went on physical changes and advice from an Oesrogen Dominance FB group - so I began cutting out foods that would promote Oestrogen and I bought a natural progesterone cream.... this just made things worse for me. What Bluebutterfly makes perfect sense as there was obviously no one 'cure'. I proceeded to stumble ungracefully and miserably into post menopause and lost all faith....
Numerous blood test results (because I cant afford the private/'saliva' methods) and years of late night googling later... I have learned more about me, my changing body and the woefully inadequate way the medical profession deals with menopause... and I have learned about many different trains of though on what is aparently BEST for us.
For me, once I finally took the plunge and started HRT, with eyes and ears wide open and keeping a critical view, I have learned that my body needs the Oestrogen. Im learning what the rest does (and I totally feel its about individual balance) and I strongly feel, despite "test results" and medical opinion, I need some Testosterone. No one (so far) will prescribe that for me.
BUT this is just me.
So I guess what I am saying it... take it all with a pinch of salt... read more.. but dont believe all you read (research the authors).. and DONT mess about too much with trying out things as it can make life miserable. Believe me.
I guess the key is to find a GP, Gynae or Clinic that is OPEN to the more recent ways of thinking... I am still looking for that - and I am still looking for my HRT balance...