Bio-identical hormone replacement therapy via saliva test

Wow! I would love to have each of my hormone levels checked and the right formula made especially, all most of us tend to have is a 'catch all HRT pill' prescribed and we hope for the best. 

Your horrible time won't last forever and it might be worth monitoring the worst horrible time and what part of the month it is on a calendar and if possible track it back to the time of your period (although 3 months ago) my worst time was always the week after my period which meant I needed progesterone not oestrogen as I had oestrogen dominance and that caused depression. How complex we all are but it does get better. 

I am just starting this journey - one strange period followed by an FSH of 86 and told post menopausal!  I have been feeling weird for the past year with intermittant symptoms that didn't seem typically menopausal but perhaps in hindsight they were.  No missed periods until after the FSH result!  Uncanny

I am looking into bioidentical hormone therapy purely because if I am going to replace hormones I would like to try doing it with a prescribed level - I fear my body going into even more unbalance and have to do it again when I stop.

I have been told that because I am under 45 - I am 45 in a month, that I haven't had estrogen for long enough and menopause raises my risk of osteoperosis and heart disease and the standard advice from the NHS is HRT until I am 50.

I cant tell you how confusing these decisions are.

How did you get on, I really hope you have found a way to feel balanced.

I am 48, have been using biodentical hormone, started cream progesterone only in Dec 2014. Been suffering with heavy periods for 10 years, a scan revealed numerous fibroids. Last year cycle been all over the place, many symptoms, Hot Flushes, Night sweats, debilitating headaches (never suffered headaches previously) anxious all the time, sleep no more than 4 hours, memory and word blindness was dire,emotional and just not myself. GP wanted to put me on hrt estrogen only, my mother died at age 51 of ovarian cancer. She had a hysterectomy at the age of 38 due to fibroids, left her ovaries. She was then put on hrt, after Mum passed away, my sister and I saw a specialist in ovarian cancer for a scan. he advised us to ensure if we ever got to menopausal age and we're having problems to ensure we had our ovaries removed with a hysterectomy if that is recommended. I've tried, lifestyle changes, healthy eating, which does improve some symptoms. No sugar, caffeine, alcohol. Kept fit all of my life, but have struggled the last 18months due to heavy periods, and feeling exhausted. I am constantly on iron tabs which helps. Do pilates and Nordic walking 3 times per week to try and keep as fit as possible. Tried Angus cactus, black cohosh, menopause, 5htp before resorting to biodenticals. First cream was a 40mg progesterone only applied 2 x per day. It has taken the edge off some symptoms, and didn't have a period. More energy as no period, not so emotional,Memory improved, headaches much less severe, and in less in number. hot flushes and night sweats still bad. Sleep deprivation still a nuisance only getting 4-5 hrs in total. Cannot loose weight all around my middle. Started a new cream on the 13/2/15 of 0.1 estradiol, 1mg estriol and 50mg progesterone. Period started on the 21/3/15. No flooding or loosing clots so far, still heavy but nowhere near as painful. Hot flushes I proved and night sweats much less. Can sleep 5 hours solid, but still waking after that which does leave me feeling tired. Can still manage to keep up with daily chores and exercise routine though. Emotions are a bit  better, and memory a bit better too. Still get muscles locking up of a night time, but not as much and less severe.Acupuncture and physio do help with this. All in all Id say the biodenticas do work, however, I'm so tired of feeling up and down, and just not 100%myself. I'm opting for a full hysterectomy and oopherectomy which has been recommended by my gynaecologist. Am going to continue with biodentical lozenges after op as a form of hrt.Am hoping that the balancing of hormone will be easier without my ovaries kicking in and out of action. And looking forward to no more periods. I feel I've exhausted every avenue to try not to undergo this op, but am now resigned to the fact as I need to have my life back. not just for me but for my husband and children too. I hope sharing my experience helps. Best of luck.