? I. C. helped with estrogen

[Bev A]

I am 49 and was 47 when my bladder urgency,
frequency started. Urologist thinks it is
not I.C. but does not know what it is or the
cause. I have tried every possible thing
for my immune system. Wonder if anyone has
been helped with Estrace cream, etc. for
bladder symptoms. Dr.'s will not order
estrogen orally for me because of my history.
My mother died of breast cancer at age 42 after taking estrogen. I tried Estriol
cream--from compounding pharmacy (a more
natural form of estrogen), but I must be
allergic to something in it. It burned!
I have read that in some people, the estrogen
cream can help with bladder problem. Wonder
if that is true for any of you. I have no
hot flashes at all. Bev

[carrie s]

Dear Bev:
You sound like me. Natural estrogen cream almost killed me. They say it is hypoallergenic, but with all the people who have problems with it, I wonder. I have found that estrogen has helped me. There was a message on this board about a new kind of estrogen called Vagfem, or something. It is not supposed to cause as many problems. You might want to go back a few weeks to check it out. Estrogen has helped me a great deal. Also, your doctor can have the natural estrogen compounded with something that you are not sensitive to, like mineral oil or aloe. Most GYNs have some formulas that they can have compounded for you. If you cannot get the right info, you can call a compounding pharmacy and see what they usually use in situations like this and then you can pass this on to your doctor. Hope this helps. Feel free to ask me anything that can help you, I have been through the mill.

[Bev A]

Carrie,
Thanks so much for your reply. I just would
like to know if the Estrogen has helped your
urgency, frequency symptoms. Thanks, Bev

[Sherry from GA]

Bev,

First, many IC patients react to propolyn glycol which is in Estrace cream and many other traditional HRTs. I tried everything but here is what is now working:

My pharmasist is compounding my hormones in a dye-free capsule. Most compounded prescriptions are mixed with lactose so if you are lactose intolerant let the pharmasist know. Also, many equine estrogens (horse estrogens) are found in many of traditional HRT. Equine estrogens are known to provoke allergies in some women. I am now on natural hormone replacement and it has not bothered my bladder at all. Traditional preparations like Premarin nearly killed me! Now, here is how my pharmasist is mixing:
TRI-Estrogen Compound at .125MG Estrone
.125MG Estrodiol
.1 MG Estriol

Also if you prefer a cream, have the pharmacy mix the cream minus all dyes, fillers, and propolyne glycol. Keep in mind that the above combination is only a starting point and the levels may have to be adjusted up or down. Also, testosterone may have to be added to increase your libido if it is suffering. Basically, natural hormone replacement "exactly" fits the estrogen receptors in a woman's body. Equine estrogens do not! Also, some women tend to cross react to sulfates that are in many traditional HRTs. Finally, natural hormone replacement utilizes and 80% estriol, 10%estrodiol, and 10% estrone combination which is how nature makes us when our ovaries are producing estrogens. I highly recommend compounding your estrogens in a natural form. Please post if you want my phone number and I'll be happy to speak to you personally. Until my hormones were compounded, everything caused a flare. At 37 and with a complete hysterectomy, I was beside myself to find something that worked.
Praise the lord for a knowledgeable compounding pharmasist!
Sherry

[Bev A]

Sherry, thanks for all your helpful information. I guess my question is and
has been--is lack of estrogen part of my
bladder problem. M.D.'s are hesitant to
order estrogen for me because I am still
having regular periods, do not have hot
flashes and my mother died young of breast
cancer. I did see a Holistic Nurse Practitioner who said that if the natural
estriol cream did not work that she might
need to order estriol my mouth. My GYN's
are the ones who will not order it. Has
the estrogen helped bladder urgency or
frequency for you? Bev @ gbanderson@prodigy.net (you can E-mail me if
you like) Thanks so much. Nothing
has helped me. I have tried many meds, diet,
anti-candida treatment and more.

[JaneP]

Bev,
I don't know if the estrogen would help your bladder symptoms, but my gyn says that it does. She says that the cells that line the vagina also line the bladder and urethra and they have "estrogen receptors". Women who are low on estrogen have thinning of these cells that causes dyness and irritation. I have been on estrogen for about three years since I had a hysterectomy at age 38. The only side effect that I have is lumpy, cystic breasts. I am monitored very closely. I also worry about long term use of hormones, but my doc says my IC would be worse without it and I am at risk for osteoporosis because I am thin and relatively young. I guess that we must weigh the risks and benefits of hormone therapy, and decide with our doctor what is best for us. Good luck to you!

[Sherry from GA]

Bev,

I am e-mailing you directly with my phone number so we can talk. I would really like to explain in full detail what is helping me. Personally, I think you could benefit also. Please give me a call this evening or this weekend. I would be glad to offer my knowledge gained during my HRT saga.

Sherry

[Sherry from GA]

Bev,

I tried e-mailing my home phone number to you so we could talk directly but encountered an error with your e-mail address. Please e-mail me at:

Sherry.Venable@adroit.wrga.com

I will then directly reply back with my home number.

Thanks,
Sherry

[rinnie]

Dear Bev, I had been on bio-identical hormone implants for 8 years to try to undo all the damage that 5 years of Premarin had done. As a newly diagnoised IC person, my uro and gyno took me off the implants right away as any kind of injury to the abdomen is not good for IC. When my uro told me that pregnancy often makes IC go away, I immediately went to my compounding friends and asked them what a pregnant woman has that I don't have and they said 200 times more progesterone. They gave me some vanishing (no oil base) progesterone to insert vaginally. I came home from school last night crying from 3 days of unbearable burning and inserted the progesterone. Wish me luck, but I haven't burned at all today. Maybe the answer is progesterone cream and not estrogen cream. I did try Estrace and Vagifem with no luck. Just a suggestion! My uro wasn't too sure about this, but my gyno told me to go for it. She prescribes progesterone suppositories all the time for at risk pregnant patients so it must not be too harmful. Good Luck

[Cheries]

I have been through the ringer will all of this estrogen stuff. I am so much better than I was a year ago, but still having episodes of yeast. I am on a climera estrogen patch which I change twice a week. It is a very low dose of .0378. But I know that somehow I shouldn't be getting so much localized yeast and irritation. Is there anything for that? I am going crazy with it. Fortunately my bladder has been relatively calm not too bad,,,,not too good. Sherry, email another Cherie at 1213@sbcglobal.net and I can give you my phone number. I know thate has to be an answer to all of this.

[liznazz]

I have been using estrace cream for almost a year now. (3x a week, 1mg). It has helped me with my pain and urethral discomfort. When I was newly diagnosed, my uro recommended this. I went to the gyno and after examination told me that my vaginal wall were very thin, and that the bladder sits directly behind the walls. That was one of the discomfort factors for me. He also recommended the estrace cream and I have to say, it has helped me a lot. Before, when I had my period, I couldn't even insert a tampon because it was too painful. Now I have no problem with that at all. Both my doctors recommended it to me and I'm glad they did. Hope this helps. liz

[sedavis]

Hormone Replacement helped me greatly with all my symptoms. I was off of it when my IC was diagnosed and with my doctors consent have been back on it for over a year and am symptom free. It's probably not for everyone but it was worth the risk to me. I'm very careful about having mamograms and pap smears. Sue

[marye]

Bev
After 20 years of bladder problems at 47, I got much worse, mostly urgency increased. Estrogen (in the form of birth control pills at that time) helped me back to where I was within 48 hours. I'm now 58 and while I am concerned about side effects feel I need some form of estrogen to function. Of course your history has to be considered. Hope they find a solution for you. Mary

[Dianne]

I order a 1/2 order of preservative free estriol cream from here: http://rmpharmacy.com/ every month. It doesn't burn me and everything else does. I use one gram three times/week. It takes the edge off the hot flashes although they said it wouldn't. It keeps me from getting paper cuts in the vaginal folds. Doesn't help the bladder. May help the urethra a little, not sure. Does help with sex a little too.

[sami4]

My Gyno gave me Vagifem but it seemed to irritate my vaginal area and caused bladder symptoms. I think maybe it was something in the product that I may have been allergic to. Progesterone put me into one of the worst flares I ever had in my life. I avoid it at all costs.
Best thing for me was Estriol or Estrace vaginal cream which seems to soothe the urethra and vaginal area. I also take transdermal E 1.5 mg daily.
Sammie

[ellienor]

I am 53, have not had a period for 1 2/3 years.
I started on progesterone cream at night in feb, as well as testoserone cream.
I put the prog on my breast and the testoserone on my inner thighs.
Could one of these be causing IC symptoms?

I must say, i am pretty discomfort free at night and in the morning. Symptoms appear around noon and last all day.
I apply these creams at night.
My ic started in may...
Any insite is appreciated.
I am not on estrogen, cause she said my blood levels are still ok.
I am seeing her thursday.
Ellie

[zoe k]

I am 49 and was 47 when my bladder urgency,
frequency started. Urologist thinks it is
not I.C. but does not know what it is or the
cause. I have tried every possible thing
for my immune system. Wonder if anyone has
been helped with Estrace cream, etc. for
bladder symptoms. Dr.'s will not order
estrogen orally for me because of my history.
My mother died of breast cancer at age 42 after taking estrogen. I tried Estriol
cream--from compounding pharmacy (a more
natural form of estrogen), but I must be
allergic to something in it. It burned!
I have read that in some people, the estrogen
cream can help with bladder problem. Wonder
if that is true for any of you. I have no
hot flashes at all. Bev


I just went to the dr. this week. I am 53 and menopausal. He says I do not have IC (thank God) I have a lack of estrogen. My vaginal walls are very inflammed. But I asked him why am I having symptoms of a bladder infection? He said that a lack of estrogen can cause the mucous membranes of the bladder and urethra to become inflammed also. I am on HRT but he said that this was not enough for me. 30% of women also need estrace cream. I have to use it 3 times a week. I used it once already and it feels a little better. He said I will have complete relief in a couple of weeks. So yes the bladder problems can be estrogen related. Even when you are already on HRT. I also have a prolapsed uterus and bladder. I have to have some testing done next month to see if I need surgery. They can put them back where they belong. I understand the cancer connection, but if you have a uterus like I do, you have to take progesterone also. I can not wait til I heal down there. It has been awful

[zoe k]

I am 53, have not had a period for 1 2/3 years.
I started on progesterone cream at night in feb, as well as testoserone cream.
I put the prog on my breast and the testoserone on my inner thighs.
Could one of these be causing IC symptoms?

I must say, i am pretty discomfort free at night and in the morning. Symptoms appear around noon and last all day.
I apply these creams at night.
My ic started in may...
Any insite is appreciated.
I am not on estrogen, cause she said my blood levels are still ok.
I am seeing her thursday.
Ellie


Never ever put any hormone cream on your breast EVER. Do you still have your uterus? And if you are menopausal you can bet your bottom dollar that you have a lack of estrogen. I am on both progesterone and estrogen. I use a bio identical hormone replacement made by a compounding pharmacy. They are both plant based and supposedly safer to use. I was still not getting enough estrogen and thought i had developed a bladder problem. Just this week I was diagnosed with a severe lack of estrogen which caused my vagina and bladder to become very inflammed. I am now on estrace cream three times a week. So If you are having these symptoms then you may be suffering the same thing. Just because the estrogen is circulating in your blood, your tissues may not be using it anymore. it is possible. I go to a combination urologist and gynecologist. They can tell by looking at your vaginal wall if you need estrogen. he says I will feel a lot better in a couple of weeks. Make sure that you don't use the progesterone all the time. I go off of it for 14 days of the month. otherwise you will start to retain fluid and gain weight. You should try to imitate your normal body before menopause to feel better all the time. Some dr.s don't believe in this which is their problem. Our bodies were not like this before menopause and why should they be any different after. We need our hormones. estrogen is used in over 300 ways by our bodies. we need it to stay healthy even into our old age. of course there is a risk, but i felt horrible without them. I am just glad I do not have IC. Maybe a lot of women are suffering from a lack of estrogen and do not even know it. Put hormone creams on upper arms (thighs are ok) and rub in thoroughly. never use your hands to rub it in. use your inner forearms. do not rub any hormones on your breast tissue. a dr and a pharmacist told me this. probably has something to do with hormones and breast CA

[sami4]

A lot of research has been done on the relationship of hormones and bladder problems. Bottom line in all of them is that when menopausal estrogen drops to almost none, bladder, vagina, eyes, urethra the whole body is effected. Even if you are taking oral E, it is not enough in a lot of women to keep the vagina healthy. When the vagina drys out, the PH changes and you are more apt to get yeast and other infections. It takes a constant effort of a couple of months to see cellular changes, but you may notice a difference in about 5 weeks. If you are very atrophic, the estrogen may burn slightly when you use it, that is just the nerves being woke up so to speak and will go away once the cells are saturated. You should use the cream around the opening on the vulva and urethra also.
Most ICers respond well to estrogen but not so well to progesterone which can be a bladder irritant. I cannot take any progesterone as I get terrible IC flares from it. I had to go to a Mirena IUD which is a levonorgestrel medicated IUD which delivers a tiny microdose of progestin directly into the uterine lining so that it dosent build up. It is also a BC device for anyone who needs one, but mine is to keep uterine lining down so I dont have to take progesterone.
Be very, very careful with using progesterone cream without a doctors monitoring. Never, ever smear this on breasts.
It may take you awhile to figure out what will work for you but even people who have had breast cancer are now being given vaginal estrogen. If your doctor isnt up on this, try searching the web and finding someone who is adept at this. Estriol is very weak and is often used for this purpose. VagiFem is also inserted into vagina, some of it will be absorbed systemically but very little.
Sammie

[zoe k]

I agree with you completely. You must have a Dr monitor you and your hormones. I used progesterone cream from a health food store when I was premenopausal and it worked great for me, but once I went into menopause, it was necessary to go to a dr. The Dr. told me I would feel better in 2 weeks. Actually, I felt some better after I used it once. the Dr. also said that 30% of menopausal women need to use vaginal estrogen even if they are taking oral HRT or creams. I use 2 creams that are plant based, estrogen and progesterone. I always rub them into my upper arms with my wrists. I never get them on my hands. So if you have bladder problems it will not hurt to have that checked. My uterus and bladder are also prolapsed and I will have tests done next month to see if I have to have surgery. This is probably not helping matters. I will not get progesterone saturated because I go off it from the 1st thru the 14th of every month. A lot of DR's will have you on both all the time. this is not how your body worked before menopause. You really have to find a Dr who is very skilled in this and believes that women should try to keep their bodies normal after menopause. It is not normal to have no hormones. It is not healthy.

[ellienor]

I got on 1/2 gram of 1 % estrodile cream ( each night for one week, then cut back to 2 X per week ) in november, 2005.
I noticed and improvment in ic in one week and it has continually gotton better.
I am taking lots of healthy suplements too, so it is hard to tell what has helped.
I got the book " headache in the pelvis " one month ago and then I REALLY started to go into a remission stage.
I am not in total remission though, becuase i have been eating lots of flair foods for a week, and now I can feel my bladder again a bit.
SO I am going back on the diet again. That's ok though,, I can now eat yougart, bananas, watermellon, some fudge, and even some pomigranit juice if I dont overdoo it. I am soo happy and dont want to goof this up.
My question is:
Now I am backing off to 1/2 gram every 3 days. Is this a "usual" dose of the estrogen ( 1 % ) for my age? 55.
thanks.
OH, I do also take 1/4 of a teaspoon of progesterone cream every night before bed.
I have read not to do this each day, but if I dont do it I dont sleep well at all. Is this from the lack of progesterone, or is it my imagination?
One of the things that helps my insomnia is the hormones.
ellie

[zoe k]

I got on 1/2 gram of 1 % estrodile cream ( each night for one week, then cut back to 2 X per week ) in november, 2005.
I noticed and improvment in ic in one week and it has continually gotton better.
I am taking lots of healthy suplements too, so it is hard to tell what has helped.
I got the book " headache in the pelvis " one month ago and then I REALLY started to go into a remission stage.
I am not in total remission though, becuase i have been eating lots of flair foods for a week, and now I can feel my bladder again a bit.
SO I am going back on the diet again. That's ok though,, I can now eat yougart, bananas, watermellon, some fudge, and even some pomigranit juice if I dont overdoo it. I am soo happy and dont want to goof this up.
My question is:
Now I am backing off to 1/2 gram every 3 days. Is this a "usual" dose of the estrogen ( 1 % ) for my age? 55.
thanks.
OH, I do also take 1/4 of a teaspoon of progesterone cream every night before bed.
I have read not to do this each day, but if I dont do it I dont sleep well at all. Is this from the lack of progesterone, or is it my imagination?
One of the things that helps my insomnia is the hormones.
ellie

I take estrogen cream and progesterone cream twice a day 12hrs apart. I do not take progesterone every day. I used to and it made me feel bloated and gained weight. I go off the progesterone for 14days of the month, the first 14. my hormones are made for me especially by a compounding pharmacist. I do not buy anything in the healthfood store. that progesterone is not really strong enough for the woman in menopause, in general. we need a lot more. I have taken 2 doses of estrace vaginally and my bladder symptoms are almost completely gone now. I ate anything I wanted today and it didn't bother me a bit. So a lack of estrogen was what was wrong with me. I feel a lot better and sleep a lot better since I am off the progesterone a portion of the month. maybe you need an estrogen cream, they all work together. You really need to see a dr. about this stuff. No one in menopause should be guessing about how much they need. You need to find a dr. who knows about bio identical hormones. many many women suffer insomnia right before and after menopause and it is directly related to our lack of hormones and don't let anyone tell you different. For the first time in five years, I am sleeping a little better and I think it is because I am getting my hormones back in sync. It takes awhile.

[sami4]

Zoe you must be cycling P to have a bleed? I sure couldnt stand P in any form it made my vulvar, urethra, and bladder symptoms really flare.
I dont think I would use progesterone cream as a sleep aid. Progesterone blocks estrogen and if you dont have enough on board you are just blocking what little bit you have.
I use a low dose Melatonin 2mg at bedtime, this will put you to sleep, and help adjust your sleep rhythms.
Also those over the counter progesterone creams vary considerably in dose control, some are way, way too high, and others are weaker than they say.
Hormones like P and E are not to play with. Your vaginal estrogen two or three weeks apart is a good maintenace dose and that small a dose will not be absorbed much. You do need vaginal estrogen to keep bladder and vaginal walls healthy.
Try to find a doctor that can help you with hormones as it is pretty terrible to find a patient with progesterone overdose. This does not go away overnight and P can be very, very stubborn in the tissues and take months to overcome an overdose.
Sammie

[sami4]

Sorry, fingers got mixed up meant to say vaginal estrogen two or three times a week is a good dose, not every two or three weeks which would be useless.
Sammie

[zoe k]

Zoe you must be cycling P to have a bleed? I sure couldnt stand P in any form it made my vulvar, urethra, and bladder symptoms really flare.
I dont think I would use progesterone cream as a sleep aid. Progesterone blocks estrogen and if you dont have enough on board you are just blocking what little bit you have.
I use a low dose Melatonin 2mg at bedtime, this will put you to sleep, and help adjust your sleep rhythms.
Also those over the counter progesterone creams vary considerably in dose control, some are way, way too high, and others are weaker than they say.
Hormones like P and E are not to play with. Your vaginal estrogen two or three weeks apart is a good maintenace dose and that small a dose will not be absorbed much. You do need vaginal estrogen to keep bladder and vaginal walls healthy.
Try to find a doctor that can help you with hormones as it is pretty terrible to find a patient with progesterone overdose. This does not go away overnight and P can be very, very stubborn in the tissues and take months to overcome an overdose.
Sammie

I am controlled by a doctor. I am not doing anything on my own. All my bio identical hormones are ordered by a dr. and made by a compounding pharmacist. I have to take progesterone because i still have my uterus and no one with a uterus can take estrogen without it. You can not take unopposed estrogen when you still have your uterus. And last week I had an appointment with a uro/gynocologist at the Cleveland Clinic. I was having severe symptoms of a bladder infection without the infection. He found my vaginal walls severely dry and inflammed. He diagnosed a lack of estrogen even though I am taking HRT. He said 30% of women suffer from this even though they may be taking estrogen by mouth or other ways. He also said it can cause the mucous membranes of my bladder and urethra to become inflammed also. I have to use estrace 3 times a week and I have used it 3 times already and my symptoms are now gone and I am back to normal. I do not use any estrogen or progesterone cream from a health food store. Mine comes from a pharmacy that is a specific dose for me. I take about o.5mg of estrogen and 30mg of progesterone a day. I haven't bled at all from skipping progesterone yet, but if I do that is fine. I am trying to mimic my regular cycle of hormones. I believe this is the optimum way to do hormone therapy. When I took progesterone all the time, I blew up like a balloon and felt bloated all the time. this is not a normal way to feel. I think if you mimic your normal hormone rhythm, you will probably start sleeping better.Women in Europe still believe in cycling for all of their lives to stay healthy. This is not a new concept. It is just becoming more popular in the US. Suzanne Somers does this.

[Trishann]

Wow, I never thought about pre-menopausel can cause insomnia. There are times I literally have to made myself do things, and then there are days I try, and then give up. I always thought IC was causing it. When you go to the gynocologist, do the doctor test your hormones, or just guess at the problem. I always have alot of pain with having periods and to me IC is better without it. I do understand about the dryness which is bad sometimes. Before I was on birth control for couple of months to see if it will help with the pain but was taken off of it because of complication. My heart was just fine but my pulse rate was 120. My primary doctor don't seem over concern about it, so I'm guessing it is ok sense my heart is fine. Can peri-menopausel cause your pulse rate to be high. Sometimes I wonder if it is the medicine that I take for IC and for pain. It's horrible you go to the doctor and still don't know nothing. There is a lady on the net that when to the doctor and her doctor said, "I am going to treat your whole body and not just the IC. I thought that was wonderful.

[sami4]

One of the side effects of Elavil is racing heart and arrythmias. A lot of other medications also have that effect, check the meds you are taking and then look upside effects.

Sammie

[Trishann]

Thank you Sammie but I don't take Elavil. I do take vicoprofen, but I only take it at night and once in a great while I take one in the evening. I take it because my legs ache so bad at night and when I'm just relaxing, but it also helps my bladder. I read on the internet that dehydration can cause high pulse rate. Again Detrol La does dry me out. I do drink water and water and water. But I guess, since I'm on medicines that tells me to drink plenty of water, I guess I'm losing at this game. So you are probably right, it is the medication.
Thanks Sammie

[zoe k]

Wow, I never thought about pre-menopausel can cause insomnia. There are times I literally have to made myself do things, and then there are days I try, and then give up. I always thought IC was causing it. When you go to the gynocologist, do the doctor test your hormones, or just guess at the problem. I always have alot of pain with having periods and to me IC is better without it. I do understand about the dryness which is bad sometimes. Before I was on birth control for couple of months to see if it will help with the pain but was taken off of it because of complication. My heart was just fine but my pulse rate was 120. My primary doctor don't seem over concern about it, so I'm guessing it is ok sense my heart is fine. Can peri-menopausel cause your pulse rate to be high. Sometimes I wonder if it is the medicine that I take for IC and for pain. It's horrible you go to the doctor and still don't know nothing. There is a lady on the net that when to the doctor and her doctor said, "I am going to treat your whole body and not just the IC. I thought that was wonderful.
It is called perimenopause and a lot of things can happen. My insomnia started then. I read a book by Dr. Lee and that is how I got started with progesterone cream. I had a whole lot of symptoms of estrogen dominance. and most of us are nowadays. we are exposed to a lot of estrogen in the environment. Everytime you heat up plastic in the microwave or drink out of a plastic bottle you expose yourself to environmental estrogen. I have a dr. who is kind of into bio identical hormones. I have yet to find anyone who is really good at it. I live in Ohio near Cleveland and if anyone knows of a really good dr. who knows how to check hormones and keep you in balance, I would really like to know about it. the majority of Dr's do a FSH level and if it is high enough say . well you are in menopause and be done with it. Most Dr's don't even care if you are having miserable symptoms. i know my family Dr. can care less. My pharmacist knows a lot, but he is not a dr.. I see a Nurse practitioner for my pap, but she didn't catch less than a month earlier that my vaginal lining was drying out and that i was inflammed. less than 2 weeks later I was in so much pain. she should have seen something, but then again she is not a Dr. They do not believe in keeping track of estrogen and progesterone levels which to me is negligent and stupid. You really need to find a DR. who does bio identical hormones. I have even searched the internet and cannot come up with anyone.. so mostly I go by my symptoms. I try to use the least possible to control them. I have no idea what my levels are. I developed an irregular heartbeat when I was 48. I had a stress test. all was fine. I understand that menopause can cause that. since I have been on hormones, I do not have this irregularity. Holistic drs. are easy to find nowadays and maybe that is what you need. They do take care of the whole person. Try finding one near you. take care

[Trishann]

Zoe, thanks. I'm going to my primary doctor Friday, I will ask the doctor about this, and stand my ground that something is wrong. I am going to try to get an appointment with my female doctor after my daughter and grandchildren goes home. They are coming home at the beginning of July and staying for two weeks. Can't wait to see them, I miss them so much.

I know the H stands for hormones but what does the FS stands for. This lady at my church had a test done to see if she was menopause. Is this the FSA test you are talking about.

Thank you, Trish

[ddemos]

I agree with you completely. You must have a Dr monitor you and your hormones. I used progesterone cream from a health food store when I was premenopausal and it worked great for me, but once I went into menopause, it was necessary to go to a dr. The Dr. told me I would feel better in 2 weeks. Actually, I felt some better after I used it once. the Dr. also said that 30% of menopausal women need to use vaginal estrogen even if they are taking oral HRT or creams. I use 2 creams that are plant based, estrogen and progesterone. I always rub them into my upper arms with my wrists. I never get them on my hands. So if you have bladder problems it will not hurt to have that checked. My uterus and bladder are also prolapsed and I will have tests done next month to see if I have to have surgery. This is probably not helping matters. I will not get progesterone saturated because I go off it from the 1st thru the 14th of every month. A lot of DR's will have you on both all the time. this is not how your body worked before menopause. You really have to find a Dr who is very skilled in this and believes that women should try to keep their bodies normal after menopause. It is not normal to have no hormones. It is not healthy.

I knew about not putting cremes on breasts, but I used p, creme on my hands alot. Uh oh! Please advise

[zoe k]

Zoe, thanks. I'm going to my primary doctor Friday, I will ask the doctor about this, and stand my ground that something is wrong. I am going to try to get an appointment with my female doctor after my daughter and grandchildren goes home. They are coming home at the beginning of July and staying for two weeks. Can't wait to see them, I miss them so much.

I know the H stands for hormones but what does the FS stands for. This lady at my church had a test done to see if she was menopause. Is this the FSA test you are talking about.

Thank you, Trish
FSH stands for Follicle Stimulating Hormone

[Trishann]

Zoe thanks for the information. Have a good day.

[ddemos]

what does a fsh of 72.8 tell you??? Anyone?

[zoe k]

what does a fsh of 72.8 tell you??? Anyone?
How old r u? Mine was 84 and I was considered in menopause. I would say that is pretty high. What did they tell u about that?

[zoe k]

I knew about not putting cremes on breasts, but I used p, creme on my hands alot. Uh oh! Please advise
Do not use your hands either. Put the cream on your inner arm and with the opposite wrist rub it on your upper arm or your thigh. You don't want to put it on your hands because it is a hormone and you wouldn't want to touch anyone else with it or anyway I wash my hands a lot and you might wash some of it off and not get the correct dose. My husband was afraid for me to touch him when I first started the creams LOL. He thought he might turn into a woman until I told him that none of it was on my hands. It absorbs rather quickly, so I am told.

[zoe k]

I am 53, have not had a period for 1 2/3 years.
I started on progesterone cream at night in feb, as well as testoserone cream.
I put the prog on my breast and the testoserone on my inner thighs.
Could one of these be causing IC symptoms?

I must say, i am pretty discomfort free at night and in the morning. Symptoms appear around noon and last all day.
I apply these creams at night.
My ic started in may...
Any insite is appreciated.
I am not on estrogen, cause she said my blood levels are still ok.
I am seeing her thursday.
Ellie
I have to use hormones twice a day. I split the doses. I get very uncomfortable if I only use it once a day. My progesterone was always a twice a day use. talk to your dr. and ask if you can split the dose. You should feel a lot better thru out the day. do not put any hormone cream on your breast. I doubt if anyone of these are causing your IC. Have your vagina checked to see if you are inflammed from lack of estrogen. that may be the problem. It was mine. I use an estrogen cream vaginallly too. I am 53

[zoe k]

I am 49 and was 47 when my bladder urgency,
frequency started. Urologist thinks it is
not I.C. but does not know what it is or the
cause. I have tried every possible thing
for my immune system. Wonder if anyone has
been helped with Estrace cream, etc. for
bladder symptoms. Dr.'s will not order
estrogen orally for me because of my history.
My mother died of breast cancer at age 42 after taking estrogen. I tried Estriol
cream--from compounding pharmacy (a more
natural form of estrogen), but I must be
allergic to something in it. It burned!
I have read that in some people, the estrogen
cream can help with bladder problem. Wonder
if that is true for any of you. I have no
hot flashes at all. Bev
A lot of dr's will not order estrogen for women with a history of CA. Read Suzanne's Somer's lastest book. She had breast CA and she does take both estrogen and progesterone. I had what I thought was IC, but it was not. I now take estrace cream and it does burn somewhat. They told me that will be normal for awhile until the vagina becomes saturated with estrogen. I feel better already and it has only been a week. it still burns somewhat for awhile when I initially put it in. I guess you will have to find a Dr. willing to prescribe for a woman with a history of cancer in her family. Bio identical hormone replacement is much safer than the kind of hormone made by the drug companies. You will have a much lesser chance of CA with those. I too am finding it hard to find a qualified DR. to take care of me for the long term. You are lucky not to have hot flashes. I had them very bad and still have them at times. try the estrgen cream again. you only have to use it 3 times a week. It may help you

[Trishann]

Zoe, just want to wish you a happy 4th of July. Hope you have a happy holidays.

[ddemos]

How old r u? Mine was 84 and I was considered in menopause. I would say that is pretty high. What did they tell u about that?

I'm 48, 49 in Sept. I am in the process of getting new insurance and moving...and just found out this am that my gyno. is no longer practicing at the office any longer , and they wouldn't tell me where she went. Nice, huh...I won't hold you to it but here's the results they gave me over the phone. Est. 107 FSH 72.8 LH 50.1 prog. 1.1.

Because I can't get to a bio-identical Dr. right now. I read Dr. Northrup's book on menopause, and all my symptoms: ic kicking up ongoing heavy periods, breast tenderness, altogether foul moods etc. looked to be too much est and low p. I bought the p cream from the pharmacy she rec. and have been using since Nov. when I could because they rec. you not use it while bleeding and I was always bleeding. The symptoms have gotten better somewhat, period not as frequent, but Ic very tempermental. Before I go back to CA., I am going to get a more involved hormone test from my pcp dr's office and hopefully it will give me more info. or at least a better baseline.
( It's probably too late or that already!) But I am fearful because I see from these boards that ic really doesn't like p. creams...and my symptoms have come back this april like they did when I was dx in 98. Now I burn all the time...and can't eat anything not on the diet...don't know if it's just ic progression or hormones.

Am I making any sense?? Thanks for your thoughts,
Diana

[zoe k]

I'm 48, 49 in Sept. I am in the process of getting new insurance and moving...and just found out this am that my gyno. is no longer practicing at the office any longer , and they wouldn't tell me where she went. Nice, huh...I won't hold you to it but here's the results they gave me over the phone. Est. 107 FSH 72.8 LH 50.1 prog. 1.1.

Because I can't get to a bio-identical Dr. right now. I read Dr. Northrup's book on menopause, and all my symptoms: ic kicking up ongoing heavy periods, breast tenderness, altogether foul moods etc. looked to be too much est and low p. I bought the p cream from the pharmacy she rec. and have been using since Nov. when I could because they rec. you not use it while bleeding and I was always bleeding. The symptoms have gotten better somewhat, period not as frequent, but Ic very tempermental. Before I go back to CA., I am going to get a more involved hormone test from my pcp dr's office and hopefully it will give me more info. or at least a better baseline.
( It's probably too late or that already!) But I am fearful because I see from these boards that ic really doesn't like p. creams...and my symptoms have come back this april like they did when I was dx in 98. Now I burn all the time...and can't eat anything not on the diet...don't know if it's just ic progression or hormones.

Am I making any sense?? Thanks for your thoughts,
Diana
The progesterone cream did help me when I was that age. I looked up the normals for estrogen and progesterone. estrogen levels for perimenopause are 30 to 400 and after menopause are 0 to 30. progesterone post menopause is greater than 0.7mg/ml. and FSH levels 30-40 or above usually signal menopause. I tell u what. find a compounding pharmacy in your area. they are the best people to tell you a list of Dr's who presribe bio identical hormones. I use estrace cream which was just prescribed for me and DUH! I just realized that this is NOT bio identical . I made a call to my compounding pharmacist and they can make me one that is. See how easy it is to get something that is not good for you. I see this specialist that I have to see and they will ask him to prescribe that for me instead. that is my advice to you. I wish I would have seen a DR when I was your age and got started with it right away. you will be glad you did. and when you finally get your hormones balanced, then maybe your other symptoms will get better. Just remember, we women have been told for many many years to "just get over it" when we complained of menopausal symptoms. it is time to take control of our own bodies. we need our hormones or we wouldn't have them to begin with. why would we not need them after menopause!!!! we have to balance our bodies to feel good

[zoe k]

Zoe, just want to wish you a happy 4th of July. Hope you have a happy holidays.
I hope you have a wonderful holiday too. we are taking the grandkids to fireworks on saturday. They enjoy then and I enjoy them.

[sami4]

If you are always bleeding do you mean spotting or do you mean enought to need a pad? Spotting can be due to fibroids which will also cause a period or bleed to be very heavy.
Your EST which I assume you mean estrogen at 107 is in an acceptable range as a female needs over 90 serum level to keep from having even more bladder symptoms. Your FSH of 72 is clearly in the menopausal range and in a woman on estrogen replacement should be lower if the estrogen dose is sufficient. LH or lutenizing hormone triggers ovulation and your number is another indication that you are menopausal.
Your P which I assume is progesterone given in a ratio 1:1 may mean ratio to estradiol, I guess. It then means a balance of 1:1 estrogen to progesterone. I am not sure what exactly the lab meant, I am guessing on this.
I would not be using progesterone over the counter cream if I were you. Progesterone is a hormone that you can easily become overdosed on and it takes a long time to get out of the body. It is used in menopausal women only to keep the uterine lining from building up. It is also the hormone most aggravating to the bladder.
Anyone who has read my posts on the hormone boards know I am not a fan of Dr. Lee and his ideas. His work was never able to be replicated by anyone as most of it was subjective. When I was nursing in a gyno practice we saw more messed up women who over dosed on P.
An excellent book on hormones and their relationship of IC, Fibromyalgia and so on is Dr. Elizabeth Vlietts book, Screaming to Be Heard. It can be found at Barnes and Noble. Dr. Vliett has articles here on the IC board and is very well respected here in AZ and Texas where she has her clinics.
Are you cycling your hormones to bleed? Is that what you meant by bleeding all the time?
Sammie

[ddemos]

Thank you to both you and Zoe for clearing some of this stuff up...it is one of life's greatest ironies that up until the last 3 years, I had great insurance that I paid for myself as a freelance producer of commercials...and now that I could really use it, money circumstances at the moment limit me to an awful insurance plan. In a few months I will be able to go to decent doctors that specialize. For now,I 'm just trying not to lose it...

I was told by my gyno to just suck it up (and she's a young woman)... after tests that r/o fibroids, and ultrasounds, biopsies to r/o any other thing that could cause this, I was dx w/anovulatory bleeding, which I think means not producing eggs. Hence the heavy duty bleeding. And to answer your question, it was full on periods with a 2 or 4 day repreive. I'm not cycling anything! Sammi, I don't know who Dr. Lee is but I was talking about Dr. Christine Northrup. I know you don't subscribe to her theories either, but after reading her book( and I will get Dr, Villet's book this week-end), all my symptoms were indicative of too much Est. and not enough Prog. I followed the directions carefully. This was this Nov that I began using the creme, (after having my period pretty much 2 to 3 weeks a mo. since last Aug.) I don't know if it would have naturally leveled off, or it was the p.creme, but since this May I 've had a regular 28 day cycle.(I know it will probably not stay this way) I have not taken any other hormones, and won't until I can see a qualified Dr. that is open to bio-id. therapy.
I'm also doing some research on my own. I've been thinking that since I've been on anti-depressants for 2 years, perhaps in conjunction with my peri-men. age, I might be od.ing on seretonin. I"ve never taken them before, and I mentioned this to the shrink, and he doesn't think its the case.
He did take my cymbalta down by 30 mgs...I now take 60/day and 300 of wellbutrin. He maintains that cymbalta works on mainly nueropenephrine and not seretonin, but the symptoms of too much seretonin are eerily similar to too much est. Plus urinary problems, hair loss, bursitis(which I had for the first time ever in June!), bleeding, swelling. He maintains it's my age and hormones, but I can't help thinking it's probably a combo. I mean, bursitis???

Anyway, any other thoughts from you guys? I've learned more from these discussions than anywhere else. Since I started working, I've always lived in Manhattan or Los Angeles, and been in an industry full of tons of info and opportunities, and to be in the predicament where I can't afford that anymore and to see the state of healthcare now, it's made me even more determined to write to congressmen and senators than I was before. That's a whole different discussion...

Thanks guys, and happy week-end.

[zoe k]

Thank you to both you and Zoe for clearing some of this stuff up...it is one of life's greatest ironies that up until the last 3 years, I had great insurance that I paid for myself as a freelance producer of commercials...and now that I could really use it, money circumstances at the moment limit me to an awful insurance plan. In a few months I will be able to go to decent doctors that specialize. For now,I 'm just trying not to lose it...

I was told by my gyno to just suck it up (and she's a young woman)... after tests that r/o fibroids, and ultrasounds, biopsies to r/o any other thing that could cause this, I was dx w/anovulatory bleeding, which I think means not producing eggs. Hence the heavy duty bleeding. And to answer your question, it was full on periods with a 2 or 4 day repreive. I'm not cycling anything! Sammi, I don't know who Dr. Lee is but I was talking about Dr. Christine Northrup. I know you don't subscribe to her theories either, but after reading her book( and I will get Dr, Villet's book this week-end), all my symptoms were indicative of too much Est. and not enough Prog. I followed the directions carefully. This was this Nov that I began using the creme, (after having my period pretty much 2 to 3 weeks a mo. since last Aug.) I don't know if it would have naturally leveled off, or it was the p.creme, but since this May I 've had a regular 28 day cycle.(I know it will probably not stay this way) I have not taken any other hormones, and won't until I can see a qualified Dr. that is open to bio-id. therapy.
I'm also doing some research on my own. I've been thinking that since I've been on anti-depressants for 2 years, perhaps in conjunction with my peri-men. age, I might be od.ing on seretonin. I"ve never taken them before, and I mentioned this to the shrink, and he doesn't think its the case.
He did take my cymbalta down by 30 mgs...I now take 60/day and 300 of wellbutrin. He maintains that cymbalta works on mainly nueropenephrine and not seretonin, but the symptoms of too much seretonin are eerily similar to too much est. Plus urinary problems, hair loss, bursitis(which I had for the first time ever in June!), bleeding, swelling. He maintains it's my age and hormones, but I can't help thinking it's probably a combo. I mean, bursitis???

Anyway, any other thoughts from you guys? I've learned more from these discussions than anywhere else. Since I started working, I've always lived in Manhattan or Los Angeles, and been in an industry full of tons of info and opportunities, and to be in the predicament where I can't afford that anymore and to see the state of healthcare now, it's made me even more determined to write to congressmen and senators than I was before. That's a whole different discussion...

Thanks guys, and happy week-end.
I started to use progesterone cream when i was in my late 40's thanks to Dr. Lee. and I felt a whole lot better for it. but that was me. I even lost weight after being on it for about 9 months, where previously I couldn't lose a pound. I had a whole lot of symptoms of estrogen dominence. I am not for taking anything without a lot of thought and research. It is hard for women when they have absolutely no dr.s to go to who believe in any of this. Now my hormones are messed up again because of menopause and I am having a hard time losing weight again. When I had my periods, the progesterone cream regulated them much better and they were a lot less. I did just fine on it. I don't think antidepressants are the cause of your bleeding problems. I used to take them, but will never again, but that is another story. I would rather be depressed. That was the first pill they offered me for menopause and also a hysterectomy. I do not go to that Dr. anymore. What a bunch of quacks. And they advertised big about the menopause thing. so it is very hard to find anyone to listen. Menopause is not something you will just get over. It is a difficult time for a lot of women. and when our hormones are not in balance, then we don't feel good. Just keep the faith and don't give up. You will be glad you did. good luck

[Trishann]

Hey Zoe, I went to my primary doctor today. I told the doctor how I was feeling and he did not say nothing. I told him, I talked with a friend and she said that she went through this during her perimenopausal and menopausal. Told him about the FSH test to see if this is the case for me. He said, "OH, I can write out the papers for you to have that test done.

Well, we will see, if this is the problem or not. Zoe, you think that you go to the doctor to find out what is wrong, because you don't know what test you need. Now-a-days you better get the knowledge and know what needs to be done. That is why, I like this network. You LEARN about health issue where you can take part dealing with you health.

Thank you for helping, Trish

[sami4]

Have you ever had a testosterone level run? Progesterone is from the androgen steroid pathway, too much androgen-hair loss. Estrogen does not cause hair loss. Have you noticed any difference in body fat distribution?
Brief Christine Northrup story: About 10-15 years ago I was diagnosed with a very serious and painful case of endometriosis. I was scheduled for a pelvic cleanout that Monday. I saw a TV program about a physician who was in remission of testicular cancer with Macrobiotic medicine. I was intrigued but was totally steeped in traditional medicine at the time. I called the center and told them I would like to try it but wanted to talk to a physician who had used this in their practice. They referred me to a young gynocologist in Yarmouth, Maine. I called her office and she called me back. Her name was Christine Northrup and she convinced me the treatment was worth a try.
I found a Macrobiotic counselor and followed it religiously and in about four months my pain was gone, and in a year so were the painful implants.
I went back to my Gyno and he said,"Sometimes these things remiss, we dont why."
I never got the endometriosis back and it has never found on numerous ultrasounds. I now have a uterus full of fibroids, but no endo.
Christine at the time was Macrobiotic herself, but she is not totally now.
Sammie

[zoe k]

Hey Zoe, I went to my primary doctor today. I told the doctor how I was feeling and he did not say nothing. I told him, I talked with a friend and she said that she went through this during her perimenopausal and menopausal. Told him about the FSH test to see if this is the case for me. He said, "OH, I can write out the papers for you to have that test done.

Well, we will see, if this is the problem or not. Zoe, you think that you go to the doctor to find out what is wrong, because you don't know what test you need. Now-a-days you better get the knowledge and know what needs to be done. That is why, I like this network. You LEARN about health issue where you can take part dealing with you health.

Thank you for helping, Trish

That's pretty bad when you have to tell the Dr. what type of test to run. My primary is like that too and believe me you will get no help from him/her with that attitude. The problem is, is that these Dr's don't really know anything about menopause and do not care to learn, even though probably half there patients are probably menopausal women. They just don't care. So it is up to us, unfortunately to look and look for that right person who does know what they are talking about and be willing to turn the other way and ignore all those other Dr's who try to talk you out of it. good luck and do not give up. at least the FSH level will tell you if you are in menopause and then you can go from there. I would look for another Dr to take care of the menopause part. One you don't have to tell which test to run or how to treat.

[ddemos]

Have you ever had a testosterone level run? Progesterone is from the androgen steroid pathway, too much androgen-hair loss. Estrogen does not cause hair loss. Have you noticed any difference in body fat distribution?
Brief Christine Northrup story: About 10-15 years ago I was diagnosed with a very serious and painful case of endometriosis. I was scheduled for a pelvic cleanout that Monday. I saw a TV program about a physician who was in remission of testicular cancer with Macrobiotic medicine. I was intrigued but was totally steeped in traditional medicine at the time. I called the center and told them I would like to try it but wanted to talk to a physician who had used this in their practice. They referred me to a young gynocologist in Yarmouth, Maine. I called her office and she called me back. Her name was Christine Northrup and she convinced me the treatment was worth a try.
I found a Macrobiotic counselor and followed it religiously and in about four months my pain was gone, and in a year so were the painful implants.
I went back to my Gyno and he said,"Sometimes these things remiss, we dont why."
I never got the endometriosis back and it has never found on numerous ultrasounds. I now have a uterus full of fibroids, but no endo.
Christine at the time was Macrobiotic herself, but she is not totally now.

Sammie

I absolutely love stories like that.... actual medical Drs. who are willing to go out on a limb and actually ryt to heal. I go on my gut feelings alot, and from living in LA, land of people who lift weights made of crystals for well-being(I'm not kidding), I've learned the hard way about whom to trust. I think age helps as well. These days I am not willing to let a Dr. "tell me to tough it out." I just had a really good feeling listening and reading Dr. Northrup's ideas re: menopause. These lazy Dr's. should at least want to do research and try to help we women of a certain age...if not to heal then simply for the amount of money that could be made since women are not ready to step back and feel lousy for ten years.

To answer you,Sami, I feel like I'm gaining weight everywhere, but I never used to gain in my stomach and now it feels like it's going there ...seems like everywhere though. I used to be very thin, but if I gained it would be in hips and thighs. Am I crazy to link the seretonin to these symptoms? It seems way too coincidental that I have all those symptoms I mentioned in the last post...no?

Thank you for the tip on testosterone, I will add that to the hormone tests I want to have done. I never put 2 and 2 together, but doesn't excess test. make you really randy? I will admit to that...hadn't thought too much about it till now. How do you get an excess of testosterone, from losing other hormones? I'm not growing hair anywhere...As I said, it's coming out.

Anyhow, thanks again for the info. Cheers,

[natalie2006]

Has anyone tried Replens? I have IC and VVS.

[sami4]

I was also wondering if you have ever had ovarian cysts? I guess I am thinking your problem may not have much to do with estrogen and more with an androgen problem, but you would need more tests to determine this?
In menopause the estrogens fall off dramatically and as time passes in many cases androgens become more dominant. Think of the little old lady with the whiskers? Not all people display this, but with estrogen loss one loses hair, moisture from all the organs even the eyes. Androgens change the body shape from fat around the butt and thighs to fat accumulation around the stomach. Not all women get randy with testosterone. Testosterone does give you energy, makes you outgoing and more likely to try something new.
In excess it makes you grumpy maybe even argumentative, and sometimes effects sleep quality.
Even in post menopausal women androgens are still made by the adrenals and the ovary. In many women not enough and they need to supplement, in others still too much.
The steroid pathway is cholesterol-Pregnenolone-Progesterone-which then can go into DHEA-Testosterone-finally into Estradiol and Estrone. The androgens if they convert to estrogen are most likely to favor estrone rather than estradiol. Estrone is the strongest metabolite of estrogen and the one most likely in PM women. Estrone is very stimulating to breasts and needs to be kept to a minimum. Without ovarian function this pathway is not smooth as in a younger woman, DHEA needs ovarian function to convert into testosterone for example.
Hormones are complicated and it takes a while for even an expert to get it right as bodies change all the time.
Dont forget with IC a lot of the meds taken also interfear with the steroid pathways and that causes differences in how things cascade down.
Hope you find your answers.
Sammie

[sami4]

There are two places on the board that speak of this, check out the Refresh/Replens thread on Self Help and there is also another one. Many of the ICers have used both. Most seemed to find them helpful, one lady said it irritated her.
Sammie

[natalie2006]

sammi4 What board? Do you the message board?

[zoe k]

I absolutely love stories like that.... actual medical Drs. who are willing to go out on a limb and actually ryt to heal. I go on my gut feelings alot, and from living in LA, land of people who lift weights made of crystals for well-being(I'm not kidding), I've learned the hard way about whom to trust. I think age helps as well. These days I am not willing to let a Dr. "tell me to tough it out." I just had a really good feeling listening and reading Dr. Northrup's ideas re: menopause. These lazy Dr's. should at least want to do research and try to help we women of a certain age...if not to heal then simply for the amount of money that could be made since women are not ready to step back and feel lousy for ten years.

To answer you,Sami, I feel like I'm gaining weight everywhere, but I never used to gain in my stomach and now it feels like it's going there ...seems like everywhere though. I used to be very thin, but if I gained it would be in hips and thighs. Am I crazy to link the seretonin to these symptoms? It seems way too coincidental that I have all those symptoms I mentioned in the last post...no?

Thank you for the tip on testosterone, I will add that to the hormone tests I want to have done. I never put 2 and 2 together, but doesn't excess test. make you really randy? I will admit to that...hadn't thought too much about it till now. How do you get an excess of testosterone, from losing other hormones? I'm not growing hair anywhere...As I said, it's coming out.

Anyhow, thanks again for the info. Cheers,
Did you say you were taking antideppressants? If you are then most of them cause weight gain and lots of it the longer you take them. Go to some websites where people talk about them and they will comfirm what I say. I gained 60ibs on them. I no longer take them. My daughter gained about 40. And do you take estrogen? Synthetic estrogen can make your hair fall out. It even says so in the side effect section of the pamphlet. When I took synthetic hormones, my hair fell out. it grew right back in after I stopped taking them. Women do not need much testosterone and we don't manufacturer much. The testosterone comes from our ovaries and a small amount is still produced after menopause. But I am sure some of us women stop producing enough hence our libido wanes and we can't figure out why. I looked up the macrobiotic diet and it is way too strict for me. I could never follow it. But I did read where menopausal women should stay away(as much as possible) from red meat, eat more chicken, fish and turkey and eat fresh veggies and fruits. stay away from processed food as much as you can. and of course get rid of sugar, white bread etc. these foods stress your system and make us gain weight.

[natalie2006]

Zoe, I was on the Lupron shot for endo, But I choose not to take a other won. I have had bad side effects with the Lupron shot. Dryness, Depression, Mood swings. The doctor that I did have dropped me as a patient because she says I wasn't doing anything she asked me to do. Well that's bull its my body and I have to live in it. Oh well. I go all natural know. I buy from a natural food store, and see a natural doctor in Aug. And I see a chiopractior on Minday and I'm even going to try acuputure.

[zoe k]

Zoe, I was on the Lupron shot for endo, But I choose not to take a other won. I have had bad side effects with the Lupron shot. Dryness, Depression, Mood swings. The doctor that I did have dropped me as a patient because she says I wasn't doing anything she asked me to do. Well that's bull its my body and I have to live in it. Oh well. I go all natural know. I buy from a natural food store, and see a natural doctor in Aug. And I see a chiopractior on Minday and I'm even going to try acuputure.

Natalie,
what isVVS? and what is Lupron for? I have heard of that. So many medicines cause depression etc. They all seem to cause dry mouth. I take ditropan. It help overactive bladders, but I hate the dry mouth. I have to take half the dose. I have heard the holistic natural Dr's are really good. but do one at a time or you won't know which is helping.

[natalie2006]

zoe my lupron was for the Endo that I had. I well never take a other hormone shot again.

[Trishann]

Hey Zoe, I got my test results back, I think everything came back normal. I was told my FSH is 12.9, which I was told it was the midcycle peak, whatever that means and my thyroid was 3.30 on the T-4. I only got the results, I haven't talk with the doctor yet. I can't figure out for the life of me, what is going on. The human body is really an amazing thing and yet very complicated. Zoe, if you have any knowledge on this, can you please let me know. I will see the doctor at the end of the month.

Got to leave now, my daughter is on her way to my house.
Thank you so much, Trishann

[Janie Miranda]

I've just gone through and read this entire thread and found it very interesting. I recently was taken off of vagifem because I've had some post menopausal bleeding and my primary care manager wants me to be checked out for endometrial cancer. I have an appointment with a gynocologist on Thursday. The reason I'm writing is I had been pretty much in remission until I came off the vagifem and now that I'm off of it my urgency and frequency are rising every day. When I first went on the vagifem I felt sure that it had helped me but now I'm absolutely certain that the estrogen is what basically caused me to go into remission. I am praying that I'll get a clean bill of health and will be able to go back on the hormones soon.

[sami4]

Dont worry, the chances of you having endometrial cancer from using a low dose product like Vagifem is very, very slight. Your doc is just trying to protect himself from a lawsuit if he overlooks every possible investigation into a problem.
The bladder has a huge number of estrogen receptors and I too, get great relief from estrogen.
Sammie

[Janie Miranda]

Thanks Sami, I look foward to hopefully getting a clean bill of health and getting back on it soon. I can't believe what a difference going off of that estrogen has made.

[Mel53H]

My uro,who is actually a nurse practioner, told me at my last visit that she could not figure out why the media or medical doctors in general, don't talk what goes on with the pelvic area in menopausal woman. Everything is always about night sweats, dryness, insomnia etc., but almost never talk about the problems that go on in the pelvic area. She went on to say that hormonal creams such as Estrace and Vagifem do wonders for people with IC and other disorders relating to the pelvic area.

It was interesting!

[Janie Miranda]

Thanks Sami,
I am trying to keep optimistic about it. Unfortunately I have a lot of risk factors for uterine cancer (like having had no pregnancies, never using birth control, starting period early) so it wouldn't be just the vagifem that would have caused it. I have been avoiding having a hysterectomy but I am just about ready to go for it so I won't have to go through this worry again and then hopefully I can use the vagifem or other HRT.

[zoe k]

Hey Zoe, I got my test results back, I think everything came back normal. I was told my FSH is 12.9, which I was told it was the midcycle peak, whatever that means and my thyroid was 3.30 on the T-4. I only got the results, I haven't talk with the doctor yet. I can't figure out for the life of me, what is going on. The human body is really an amazing thing and yet very complicated. Zoe, if you have any knowledge on this, can you please let me know. I will see the doctor at the end of the month.

Got to leave now, my daughter is on her way to my house.
Thank you so much, Trishann
Mid cycle means you are in the middle of your mentrual cycle. Sorry but I forgot what you are worried about. I know you are thinking you may be menopausal. I still think the best any woman can do is find a DR. who is skilled in the hormonal need of women and believes that we need to be in balance to be healthy. I am still looking for that DR.. or a holistic Dr.

[sami4]

Your FSH says that you are either not menopausal or if you are and are on hormone therapy your estradiol dose may be a little high. Your thyroid appears to be in normal range.
Sammie

[Trishann]

Zoe, thanks for the information.

Sammie, I don't know if you are talking with me about the FSH test, but it did came out fine and I'm not taking any hormone therapy. The strange thing is that this year I only had three monthly periods. I have one in January, April and June but not in Feb. Mar. or May.and in July not yet. I was surprised that the FSH turn out to be normal. I just wonder if this is all natural for people to miss period, if you are not memopausaling. What strange is that I'm having symptoms of menopausaling. I guess maybe that is why it is call mid-cycle.

[ellienor]

I am now very concerned.
I was perscribed HRT:
1/4 tsp of testoserone cream compound once daily about 9 months ago.
I thought this was alot, so I only used about 1/8 tsp each day.
( 2%. )
It really helped my sex drive, so I didnt feel the need to do the full perscription.
But I still had lots of hot flashes and insomnia , and bladder pain, so.....

Iin december the gyn gave me 1% estrodile vaginal cream.
I have been doing .5 gram 2 x per week, which they said is a "normal" dose for a 55 year old.
It helped me to sleep, and helped my bladder too.

They checked my blood in march and it was all within range. My total estrogen was 117 at that time.

THey tested my blood again last week.

The nurse called me yesterday and told me my testoserone levels are WAY WAY too high, and my estrodile levels as well.

I am really angry at the doctor for not monitoring me better than this.
I am the one who insisted on the blood test.
She said she normally just goes by how the patient 'feels".
I told her I dont feel that great, but I had no idea why. I never sleep well, and I never have known exactly why, so I wanted to be monitored.

I insisted on the test for the 2nd time.
( she tested my blood about 5 months ago and it was all in normal ranges ).
I do not understand how my levels got so high.
Does this make sense to anyone?
I am really upset about this.

Anyway, I did not take any hormones since wed night ( she called me thursday morning ).

Is it ok to cold turkey off of these, since my blood levels are SOOOO terribly high? thanks for any insite.

OH, my doctor is very sick, so the nurse didnt know what to tell me to do, till she tells the doctor about the blood test, Monday.

The nurse was freaked out by the high levels, however cannot tell me what to do. As a matter of fact, friday she told me to just keep doing what I have been doing. Geez!! I think that is cause it is against the law for the nurse to give me orders.

PS. OH, She also has me on 1/4 tsp of progesterone once per day. My progesterone blood levels are ok.

It is now sat am. I took nothing since wed night and I am sleeping and feeling much better. I pray that my blood levels are going down already. Are they??????? How long to get estrodile to a normal level????

[sami4]

I replied in depth to your post on the other thread in which you asked the same question.
The short answer is that it is not wise or kind to your body to just crash all your hormones. Take half of what you were taking one day, half of that the next and then take 1/8 teaspoon until you see the Doc again. It does not take that long for estrogen to crash, progesterone is very hard to get rid of in the body, and your dose of testo leaves the system fairly quickly.
Sammie

[natalie2006]

I didn't mean to do this to my body. My doc did this to my body when they gave me the Lupron shot.

[natalie2006]

I am still upset at my Ob for doing this. I am triing to find a doctor that well do a hormone test on me. But so far no luck. But I am not going to give up that easy. I had to fire my doctor on Friday, Because I asked them to send me to a hormone doctor that does hormone testing and they said no and they said the doc has gave me many oppoins and I had to much going on and hung up the phone. I had to beg my husband doc to do some testing on him. He has got an appointment next Friday. The doc has only given me meds thats all. They have never tried to fiuger out why I keep getting these infections. :pray: