The experts always say ESTROGEN?????
Posted , 9 users are following.
Ladies, I am looking for help. The experts always tell us that our menopausal bodies need estrogen. The research always says that it helps with symptoms, and in many cases is helpful for long term physical problems. Yet my experience taking estrogen has been anything but pleasant.
Is there anyone else out there, who has had odd, off the wall reactions to taking estrogen? Horrid fatigue, odd weight gain, weird hair or skin reactions? Or am I the only one. I would love to hear your stories. I guess I'm hoping I'm not alone in all this.
0 likes, 45 replies
jude84900 gailannie
Posted
Gail,
Whens the last time you had your testosterone checked? I wonder if you didn't have a high reading back in peri being you were still producing enough maybe yourself. Then adding 6mg to your body was way much. I just looked I'm actually on 6mg and my new script is going to 8mg. But I am still at the low end on my testosterone. I"m sure my body isn't kicking much of it out anymore either. Maybe get your levels checked out again and try for a 1 or 2 mg compounded vaginal testosterone and see if you don't feel better just with that alone. Maybe it is the estrogen and progesterone mix that just isn't working for you. Worth a try.
gailannie jude84900
Posted
Hey Deb, the last time my Testosterone was tested was Dec. 2014. At that time my level was 12ng/dL. I had an estradiol level of <15 pg/ml and my progesterone was 0.7ng/ml
I still can't believe you can handle 6 - 8 mg of Testo. But every women is different.
jude84900 gailannie
Posted
Man those are all low numbers. I believe my estradiol is at 34 right now and my dr is looking to get that up also after more labs in the fall. My progesterone doesn't get tested anymore because our bodies just don't make it anymore to speak of after menopause so its a given its going to be at the bottom if your not on progesterone. There is something out there that will fit for you. With those numbers it is no wonder you have felt the way you have.
gailannie jude84900
Posted
Ok Deb, so you're still doing E2 and E3 with T in the morning, and 20 mg of progesterone morning and night?
Do you notice the difference as you move up on you levels?
Remember I had an endo who got my levels up with the patch and vaginal progesterone. I still didn't feel right. I had an estradiol level of 69.4 pg/ml and my progesterone was at .75 ng/ml. Apparently I should have felt really good according to numbers.
jude84900 gailannie
Posted
Yes I'm still doing the E2 2 mg and E3 2 mg with the T 6mg in the morning and progesterone 20mg morning and night. I still take Sundays off to give my body a break from the hormones. I noticed my overall feeling better with the increased testosterone. My intimacy has improved very much so and I feel it can be improved even more. Sensitivity and ability to get an orgasm is something I think a lot of women deal with as we get older. It just don't feel the same or as exciting as it use to. Testosterone being increased slowly for me has helped this very much. My husband is still on testosterone pellet therapy which he is liking very much. I have considered going the pellet way just for the ease of not rubbing creams on everyday, but thought I'm doing really well so I better not rock the boat and stay put what I'm doing. Again, I wonder if the delivery you were using with the patches just wasn't a good fit for you. My thoughts.
trish22961 jude84900
Posted
jude84900 trish22961
Posted
Hi trish22961,
No I have not had a hysterectomy. I went through natural menopause. Peri for 10 years prior. I do take progesterone because I still have my uterus. Yes, keep trying until you find something that works. Best thing I can suggest is starting with a good doctor that knows what their doing in the hormone department. If the doctor doesn't have a good handle on what its all about there is a good chance for failure. Good Luck
trish22961 jude84900
Posted
elaine16907 gailannie
Posted
Dear GailAnnie & All
Many thanks for the holding this open discussion. I have found this extremely helpful and informative. I realise that for ladies managing their menopause the depth of research needed to be done ourselves ‘experts by experience’ that more than often outweighs our own gps’ knowledge. Its especially disheartening the lengths we need to go through to get blood tests/understand them/and then be put on right treatment.
I’m 45 and still have my uterus. A month ago, I was put on Femonston 1/10mg after estrogen levels coming back at 43 I see other ladies here have even lower estrogen levels than me. I have only had my LH and FSH levels tested that in February coming back normal I am assuming FSH would this include my progesterone and T levels, or do I need separate testing?
With Femonston I found taking the 14-day estrogen fine but felt worse on the 14 days of progesterone can this happen? I had my period last week and 2 weeks felt dreadful. Right now, I don’t feel the best really suffering with bouts of anxiety/tearfulness and fear, and generally low and times so distressing. I think my estrogen is still very low and needs increasing I just still feel a lack of motivation.
I’m seeing my gynecologist this week for an increase perhaps and changing to patches or pellets as I do worry about taking tablets.
Any advice or suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks.
gailannie elaine16907
Posted
Hello Elaine, FSH is tied to Estrogen production. LH is the stimulating hormone for P and T production.
How do you feel on the E only part of Femonstron? If you feel good then, but not with the P part of the cycle, your doctor could move you up to the 2/10 pill to see if that feels better.
Some of this may also have to do with your T production, as oral E increases your SHBG and therefore binds up your T making it unavailable. But it's always suggested we get the E handled first, as that generally makes women feel more normal.
Good luck on this. It's sometimes not easy to find the right combination.
elaine16907 gailannie
Posted
Really helpful, thanks Gailannie,
The estrogen tablets seem fine but I sure with the level of anixety I'm experiencing is not enough. Also I wondered if using a cream/gel or patch would be better effective in delivery? I'm going to ask for 2/10mg fingers crossed this should be a battle!
In February my serum LH level was 2.2 said to be normal and FSH level 5.2 again normal??? Numbers not my strongest subject, but with the lack of motivation, aches and anixety I'll go on how I feel !!
Has anyone changed part way through pill to patch or any other method. Tomorrow is my last day on P tablets and I see my GYN on Saturday so I was hoping I could go up on a patch tomorrow ??
Will you be asking also for a further E increase ?
Takecare.
gailannie elaine16907
Posted
I'm not sure where to go from here Elaine. I'm on a .5 patch right now. But only felt normal when I was also getting some progesterone with it.
The "experts" always say it's estrogen, but not certain that works well with my body.
trish22961 elaine16907
Posted