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Stumble It!If your doctor refuses to treat menopause
by BethRosenshein
I am contacted by women daily who say that their doctor refuses to treat menopause citing it as normal and that they must accept it. It is very frustrating for the woman who is seeking treatment and, believe it or not, frustrating for the doctor who sends them away.
Doctors are in the business to help people restore their health. In order to do that they have to know what they are treating and have a plan (protocol) and medications to treat it. Here are the obstacles your doctor faces and what you can do about it:
Obstacles:
1. Your doctor wants to treat it but may simply not know how because in medical school it was discussed very little and then only to say that it was normal.
2. Your doctor has very few products to use and may not know how to combine them for your optimal health.
3. Your doctor may think that treatment may not be in your best interest because clinical trials like the Women’s Health Initiative proved that Premarin™ is not an effective treatment for hypogonadism. Premarin™, the primary treatment since 1942, has never been associated with restoring sexual response and in no way represents ovarian hormone replacement. Premarin™ is neither replacement nor therapy for hypogonadism and should never be referred to as HRT, HT (hormone therapy) or MHT (menopausal hormone therapy).
What you can do:
1. Agree with your doctor that hypogonadism (menopause) merits treatment.
2. Agree with your doctor that the use of ovarian hormones is what you need to regain your health and sexual function following ovarian failure, which is what caused menopause in the first place.
3. Agree to use ovarian hormones, estradiol, testosterone, progesterone and dhea. You don’t have to use a compounding pharmacy. You can use a patch for estradiol, Androgel for testosterone, a pill called Prometrium™ for progesterone, and you can buy dhea from a store. To make it easier to use the Androgel you can pay a compounding pharmacist to put it into a more convenient dispenser.
You deserve treatment for organ failure and your doctor wants to help you. Decide together that treatment for menopause (organ failure) is in your best interest. Be patient as you start on your regimen and give your doctor feedback on how you feel to adjust your dosages to restore your health and sexual response. It may take some time and several adjustments, but it is worth it.
Untreated menopause is untreated hypogonadism!
You are never too old or too young to benefit from treatment for hypogonadism.
Doctors are in the business to help people restore their health. In order to do that they have to know what they are treating and have a plan (protocol) and medications to treat it. Here are the obstacles your doctor faces and what you can do about it:
Obstacles:
1. Your doctor wants to treat it but may simply not know how because in medical school it was discussed very little and then only to say that it was normal.
2. Your doctor has very few products to use and may not know how to combine them for your optimal health.
3. Your doctor may think that treatment may not be in your best interest because clinical trials like the Women’s Health Initiative proved that Premarin™ is not an effective treatment for hypogonadism. Premarin™, the primary treatment since 1942, has never been associated with restoring sexual response and in no way represents ovarian hormone replacement. Premarin™ is neither replacement nor therapy for hypogonadism and should never be referred to as HRT, HT (hormone therapy) or MHT (menopausal hormone therapy).
What you can do:
1. Agree with your doctor that hypogonadism (menopause) merits treatment.
2. Agree with your doctor that the use of ovarian hormones is what you need to regain your health and sexual function following ovarian failure, which is what caused menopause in the first place.
3. Agree to use ovarian hormones, estradiol, testosterone, progesterone and dhea. You don’t have to use a compounding pharmacy. You can use a patch for estradiol, Androgel for testosterone, a pill called Prometrium™ for progesterone, and you can buy dhea from a store. To make it easier to use the Androgel you can pay a compounding pharmacist to put it into a more convenient dispenser.
You deserve treatment for organ failure and your doctor wants to help you. Decide together that treatment for menopause (organ failure) is in your best interest. Be patient as you start on your regimen and give your doctor feedback on how you feel to adjust your dosages to restore your health and sexual response. It may take some time and several adjustments, but it is worth it.
Untreated menopause is untreated hypogonadism!
You are never too old or too young to benefit from treatment for hypogonadism.
Posted 11/4/2007 11:21:27 AM
About the Author
Beth Rosenshein
View profile
Boulder, CO
About the Author
Beth Rosenshein
View profile
Boulder, CO
Interests: Find effective, science based treatments, for menopause.
Created Diamond Research Foundation to find ways to seamlessly transition from ovarian failure (menopause) to Ovarian Replacement Therapy (ORT) thereby skipping hypogonadism completely.
www.DiamondRF.org
This blog is written by an individual Wellness.com forum member and does not necessarily state the views of Wellness.com Incorporated or any of its affiliates.
Community Comments!
lottelotte 11/5/2007 10:25:30 AM
My mother went through menopause. I don't think she opted to take any treatment. I am not aware that any of the women in my family took any treatment. The only difference that I have noticed when she was going through menopause in the early stages was that she wanted me to not wear any sweaters around her. I don't know that treating her symptoms with hormones would have been the right choice for her. Or if I would choose it for myself.
But, I know other women who have been affected more and were taking hormones. But it seemed that they were given the wrong kind because the mood swings were very obvious and sometimes frightening.
But, I know other women who have been affected more and were taking hormones. But it seemed that they were given the wrong kind because the mood swings were very obvious and sometimes frightening.
mareesa 11/5/2007 10:26:50 AM
Thank you for the great information, I know a lot of women who will find this post helpful when going through menopause. You would think Dr.'s would have a wider variety of helpful products for women to try and every woman will go through menopause at some point in their life.
I do hope that by the time I hit menopause my Dr. will know exactly what will work for me.
I do hope that by the time I hit menopause my Dr. will know exactly what will work for me.
MaryMary 11/5/2007 2:50:16 PM
Thanks Beth. Sometimes we just need someone to tell us we are not crazy and what path to take. Do you have any specific recommendations for dealing with hot flashes?
11/5/2007 9:02:05 PM
Hot flashes are a sign that ovarian failure has occurred or will occur very soon and that all of your ovarian hormones are below normal levels. To restore your ovarian hormones to normal levels you can use physiologic dosages of estradiol, testosterone, progesterone and dhea. Your doctor will need to write prescriptions for all of these ovarian hormones except for dhea which you can purchase at most health food and vitamin stores.
You'll no longer have untreated hypogonadism, you’ll be healthier, and you won't have to worry about hot flashes anymore.
Hot flashes are a sign that ovarian failure has occurred or will occur very soon and that all of your ovarian hormones are below normal levels. To restore your ovarian hormones to normal levels you can use physiologic dosages of estradiol, testosterone, progesterone and dhea. Your doctor will need to write prescriptions for all of these ovarian hormones except for dhea which you can purchase at most health food and vitamin stores.
You'll no longer have untreated hypogonadism, you’ll be healthier, and you won't have to worry about hot flashes anymore.
sunshine 11/6/2007 3:36:41 PM
You said it is never too early to treat hypogonadism. For someone who is in their 20's and hasn't had kids, what would you recommend them start doing? And by starting this early are you saying we won't go through menopause or have the side affects?
11/6/2007 8:31:51 PM
Hypogonadism typically begins in women at about age 30 while a woman still has ovarian function (pre-menopausal). Hypogonadism means a person has lower than normal sex hormones and in women at about age 30 levels of testosterone, an ovarian hormone, begin to fall. Some women notice a drop in sexual response, increased foggy thinking, sleep disruption, all the symptoms of ovarian failure (menopause) only less severe.
To raise your testosterone levels you can supplement with a small amount daily. You will need a prescription from your doctor for either compounded testosterone cream or Androgel. The Androgel can be repackaged by a compounding pharmacist for easy dispensing.
By adding back testosterone you are actually helping your ovaries work better. This is important because the ovaries have a set number of eggs and helping the ovaries work better may mean the ovaries won’t run out of eggs between age 40-50. Perhaps then the ovaries may be able to function a decade longer. You are also improving your health and likely lowering your risk of breast cancer as testosterone has been shown to lower a woman’s risk. You are safeguarding your sexual response as well as keeping you mind sharp.
I applaud you for looking ahead and ensuring your future health and well-being.
Hypogonadism typically begins in women at about age 30 while a woman still has ovarian function (pre-menopausal). Hypogonadism means a person has lower than normal sex hormones and in women at about age 30 levels of testosterone, an ovarian hormone, begin to fall. Some women notice a drop in sexual response, increased foggy thinking, sleep disruption, all the symptoms of ovarian failure (menopause) only less severe.
To raise your testosterone levels you can supplement with a small amount daily. You will need a prescription from your doctor for either compounded testosterone cream or Androgel. The Androgel can be repackaged by a compounding pharmacist for easy dispensing.
By adding back testosterone you are actually helping your ovaries work better. This is important because the ovaries have a set number of eggs and helping the ovaries work better may mean the ovaries won’t run out of eggs between age 40-50. Perhaps then the ovaries may be able to function a decade longer. You are also improving your health and likely lowering your risk of breast cancer as testosterone has been shown to lower a woman’s risk. You are safeguarding your sexual response as well as keeping you mind sharp.
I applaud you for looking ahead and ensuring your future health and well-being.
Jamie 11/7/2007 2:09:01 PM
Wow I can't believe it begins at 30! That's pretty scary. Is this something most doctors know about or is my doctor going to look at me like I'm nuts when I say I want to prevent Hypogonadism?
HealthNut 11/7/2007 2:38:47 PM
Can we delay menapause by taking a testosterone cream? I'm really confused about menapause.
11/8/2007 4:30:43 AM
Typically doctors do not learn to recognize the signs of hypogonadism in women, only in men. Even though it is unlikely that your doctor would recognize it, you can point it out. Once pointed out most doctors will understand what you are talking about.
Hypogonadism does not have to be scary. It is an illness that can be effectively treated once it is recognized.
The ovaries make several sex hormones. If one or more of those hormones drops below normal, like testosterone does around age 30, then a woman is said to have hypogonadism. Replace the testosterone and the hypogonadism is treated and you are healthier and likely happier for it.
Ovarian failure results in lower than normal levels of all of the ovarian hormones. Having levels of one or more ovarian hormones below normal is defined as hypogonadism. One important thing to remember about menopause, all of the ovarian hormones are below normal which leads some doctors to calling menopause profound hypogonadism.
So in answer to the question, can a testosterone cream delay ovarian failure? I believe the answer to that is yes. Using a testosterone cream can help your ovaries work better and an organ that works optimally should last longer than one that is struggling.
Typically doctors do not learn to recognize the signs of hypogonadism in women, only in men. Even though it is unlikely that your doctor would recognize it, you can point it out. Once pointed out most doctors will understand what you are talking about.
Hypogonadism does not have to be scary. It is an illness that can be effectively treated once it is recognized.
The ovaries make several sex hormones. If one or more of those hormones drops below normal, like testosterone does around age 30, then a woman is said to have hypogonadism. Replace the testosterone and the hypogonadism is treated and you are healthier and likely happier for it.
Ovarian failure results in lower than normal levels of all of the ovarian hormones. Having levels of one or more ovarian hormones below normal is defined as hypogonadism. One important thing to remember about menopause, all of the ovarian hormones are below normal which leads some doctors to calling menopause profound hypogonadism.
So in answer to the question, can a testosterone cream delay ovarian failure? I believe the answer to that is yes. Using a testosterone cream can help your ovaries work better and an organ that works optimally should last longer than one that is struggling.
lottelotte 11/8/2007 4:56:59 PM
I am in my 30s and I really don't know anything about menopause or testosterone cream. If we were to look for more information where would we start?
11/9/2007 7:09:39 AM
Accurate information about menopause is difficult to find. That is because menopause is typically treated like a social issue instead of a medical issue. No other organ failure in women is treated with such disregard. When hypogonadism occurs in men the attitude in the lay and medical community is that this is very unhealthy and should receive aggressive treatment. Hypogonadism creates the same ill health and symptoms in men as it does in women. Ask yourself this question, would you encourage a man with testicular failure (menopause in a man) to unnecessarily endure hot flashes, profound loss of sexual function, sleep disruption, foggy thinking, osteoporosis, and depression? What effect would all of this ill health have on his job performance, his marriage and his children? You know that effective treatment is available and that he would be healthier for it. What possible reason would you have in denying an ill man effective medical treatment? Now ask yourself this question, “Why deny a woman with ovarian failure, the identical condition to what this man is suffering from, effective treatment that would make her healthier?”
The reason you are confused about menopause and its treatment is because medically it is fairly straightforward to treat it but culturally it is not. Medically, menopause is ovarian failure resulting in lower than normal levels of sex hormones. Treating it is fairly straightforward, put back what is no longer being produced.
Hormone replacement is not a new part of medicine at all. Diabetics receive hormone replacement (insulin is a hormone) and are far better off for it and the treatment is the same for men and women. Hypothyroidism is effectively treated and again, men and women benefit equally from the treatment. The same thing applies to growth hormone for those who need it, both male and female. Medically, men and women who need and receive hormone replacement are much healthier. Men who are in need of medical treatment for hypogonadism (menopause in men) are actively encourage to receive effective treatment while women with the identical medical condition are actively encouraged to forgo treatment.
Medically, menopause is organ failure. Treatment for organ failure is not new to medicine and is very successful, as I demonstrated with diabetes, hypothyroidism, etc. Men and women receive equal and effective treatment for all hormone replacement except for the treatment of hypogonadism in women.
Culturally this is how we evolved. Medically, the answers are straightforward and only for women go unused.
So to answer your question as to where to get more information, I would have to say yourself. The ill health associated with lower levels of sex hormones is clear. It is up to you if you want to follow the cultural norm of no treatment or follow the medical norm and find effective treatment.
Accurate information about menopause is difficult to find. That is because menopause is typically treated like a social issue instead of a medical issue. No other organ failure in women is treated with such disregard. When hypogonadism occurs in men the attitude in the lay and medical community is that this is very unhealthy and should receive aggressive treatment. Hypogonadism creates the same ill health and symptoms in men as it does in women. Ask yourself this question, would you encourage a man with testicular failure (menopause in a man) to unnecessarily endure hot flashes, profound loss of sexual function, sleep disruption, foggy thinking, osteoporosis, and depression? What effect would all of this ill health have on his job performance, his marriage and his children? You know that effective treatment is available and that he would be healthier for it. What possible reason would you have in denying an ill man effective medical treatment? Now ask yourself this question, “Why deny a woman with ovarian failure, the identical condition to what this man is suffering from, effective treatment that would make her healthier?”
The reason you are confused about menopause and its treatment is because medically it is fairly straightforward to treat it but culturally it is not. Medically, menopause is ovarian failure resulting in lower than normal levels of sex hormones. Treating it is fairly straightforward, put back what is no longer being produced.
Hormone replacement is not a new part of medicine at all. Diabetics receive hormone replacement (insulin is a hormone) and are far better off for it and the treatment is the same for men and women. Hypothyroidism is effectively treated and again, men and women benefit equally from the treatment. The same thing applies to growth hormone for those who need it, both male and female. Medically, men and women who need and receive hormone replacement are much healthier. Men who are in need of medical treatment for hypogonadism (menopause in men) are actively encourage to receive effective treatment while women with the identical medical condition are actively encouraged to forgo treatment.
Medically, menopause is organ failure. Treatment for organ failure is not new to medicine and is very successful, as I demonstrated with diabetes, hypothyroidism, etc. Men and women receive equal and effective treatment for all hormone replacement except for the treatment of hypogonadism in women.
Culturally this is how we evolved. Medically, the answers are straightforward and only for women go unused.
So to answer your question as to where to get more information, I would have to say yourself. The ill health associated with lower levels of sex hormones is clear. It is up to you if you want to follow the cultural norm of no treatment or follow the medical norm and find effective treatment.
lottelotte 11/9/2007 1:08:39 PM
Thank you for this information. I guess it is hard to think of menopause as something that we need to treat. Menapause is something that happens to women at the end of their reproductive cycle. It's hard to make the connection since I don't see diabetes and menopause the same way. Menopause is something that I am expecting to happen to me, I don't expect become a diabetic at any point in my life. But I do expect to grow older and go through menopause. I don't want to. I'm not looking forward it to.
Is there any truth that treating menopause will pose a threat to a woman's health? I don't know why I think this but I have heard, that we can be doing more harm than good by treating menopause.
Is there any truth that treating menopause will pose a threat to a woman's health? I don't know why I think this but I have heard, that we can be doing more harm than good by treating menopause.
11/11/2007 10:42:09 PM
When we think of HRT we expect that what we are given replaces what our body no longer makes and it will make us healthier. It is a reasonable expectation given the success of HRT in the treatment of diabetes, thyroid replacement, growth hormone replacement, etc.
Our ovaries help us stay healthy and when they fail our bodies begin to suffer ill health. So our expectation is that if we take HRT for ovarian failure (menopause) we will regain our health. However this is not what happens. So we are left to think that HRT is not good for the treatment of hypogonadism (menopause) in women. But we also know that HRT is extremely beneficial, using insulin replacement for diabetics and thyroid replacement for hypothyroidism, and for the treatment of hypogonadism (equivalent to menopause) in men. Why would HRT not be beneficial for hypogonadism in women?
What is called HRT for menopause is not healthy because it is not really HRT.
It has been know since 1942 that Premarin™ is not HRT for ovarian hormones. In fact, there were no hormone tests of any kind done before, during or after the Women’s Health Initiative. Premarin™ is not replacement nor is it therapy. Premarin™ contains over 200 different hormones, the vast majority of which are native to the pregnant horse. Premarin™ creates unnaturally high levels of estrogens and pushes the already very low levels of testosterone and progesterone even lower.
Clinical trials are supposed to find healthy regimens for hormone replacement. In every area of medicine this approach has been successful, except for the treatment of hypogonadism (menopause) in women. Extending the success of physiologic, bioidentical replacement for hypogonadism in women would mean that treatment for hypogonadism (menopause) would then be a healthy thing to do.
To see that this happens my husband and I have formed Diamond Research Foundation. Our goal is to extend the success of HRT in every other area of medicine to menopause in women.
When we think of HRT we expect that what we are given replaces what our body no longer makes and it will make us healthier. It is a reasonable expectation given the success of HRT in the treatment of diabetes, thyroid replacement, growth hormone replacement, etc.
Our ovaries help us stay healthy and when they fail our bodies begin to suffer ill health. So our expectation is that if we take HRT for ovarian failure (menopause) we will regain our health. However this is not what happens. So we are left to think that HRT is not good for the treatment of hypogonadism (menopause) in women. But we also know that HRT is extremely beneficial, using insulin replacement for diabetics and thyroid replacement for hypothyroidism, and for the treatment of hypogonadism (equivalent to menopause) in men. Why would HRT not be beneficial for hypogonadism in women?
What is called HRT for menopause is not healthy because it is not really HRT.
It has been know since 1942 that Premarin™ is not HRT for ovarian hormones. In fact, there were no hormone tests of any kind done before, during or after the Women’s Health Initiative. Premarin™ is not replacement nor is it therapy. Premarin™ contains over 200 different hormones, the vast majority of which are native to the pregnant horse. Premarin™ creates unnaturally high levels of estrogens and pushes the already very low levels of testosterone and progesterone even lower.
Clinical trials are supposed to find healthy regimens for hormone replacement. In every area of medicine this approach has been successful, except for the treatment of hypogonadism (menopause) in women. Extending the success of physiologic, bioidentical replacement for hypogonadism in women would mean that treatment for hypogonadism (menopause) would then be a healthy thing to do.
To see that this happens my husband and I have formed Diamond Research Foundation. Our goal is to extend the success of HRT in every other area of medicine to menopause in women.
53patrice 10/28/2009 9:20:22 PM
I just found your blog. My dr of more than 20 years was slow to respond to my symptoms...when I reached the age of 45 and hot flashes began, again, I appeared to be a normal, healthy person with regular periods. Basically my sleep issues, fogginess, changing memory issues, now with hot flashes were brushed off.
I turned to an endrocronologist, convinced it must be a thyroid problem. The blood tests revealed that there were no detectable amounts of estrogen.
My gyn dr was not too thrilled with my report. I did receive a patch climara pro...which helped with daytime hot flashes and lifted a bit of the fogginess.
Five years later, the hot flashes increased. I had become aware there were other treatments via HRT...I returned.
I was put on Clamara 0.01 mg patch daily for three months.
What a difference..but I was jittery and a bit jumpy.
Promethium was added (taken 10 days per month) at night.
I did not fare well (mood swings, unpredictable tears flowing, anger).
I was switched to a daily pill (progesterone). It leveled some thing out...but not enough.
By the end of the 4th month, my hair fell out.
I was told it had nothing to do with the treatments (others told me it was most likely an inbalance between the progesterone and estradiol ).
A dermatologist confirmed I didn't have any scalp issues.
My sleep issues continued, but now I am waking up suddenly and can't seem to fall asleep for long. (Ironically, I did notice my body was more relaxed...the muscle tension was gone...but my mind was active..and I now have hotflashes and my scalp started to get sweaty at night).
I've gone back three more times, twice told to see it through another month.
It's been 7 months, I went back and now have some breast pain, crying jags, hair loss and some other issues.
I gave a list of my symptoms. I was told to increase the
Clamara (two patches per week). And basically that I had achieved some improvement, so I did have a better quality of life than before.
OK, so I am disappointed and a bit angry. I was scheduled to come back in 6 months!
I read your comments to a woman, almost the same regime, but with a vivelle patch (same mg), promethriem -- don't know if it was taken daily or for a set number of days...
Plus it said to increase the patch to twice a week.
I realize my dr. has reached the end of his comfort zone in this treatment. And I realize that even though I have some side affects, the treatment has some positive affects...but I know there has to be some balancing between what I am taking and over time, could find the right combination for me.
This is not in my current drs course of treatment. What he offers is what is effective and followed by many.
How do I find a doctor who is a bit more versed, comfortble with individualized treatments?
The highly publized clinics are expensive and according to some, not all are equally "manned" with medical professionals of the same level of expertise than the ones seen on TV (so I have heard).
It's a bit undaunting to find a new dr. while the topic is discussed, there's not a lot of recommendations from people in my community. And most offices won't schedule a consult...but want a totally "new" patient visit ($400+ vs $100/150 for a consult.).
When I call, I have learned to ask if the dr. treats with RX and also uses compounding pharmacies (that weeds out some doctors who only use one or two treatment plans).
Any suggestions?
I turned to an endrocronologist, convinced it must be a thyroid problem. The blood tests revealed that there were no detectable amounts of estrogen.
My gyn dr was not too thrilled with my report. I did receive a patch climara pro...which helped with daytime hot flashes and lifted a bit of the fogginess.
Five years later, the hot flashes increased. I had become aware there were other treatments via HRT...I returned.
I was put on Clamara 0.01 mg patch daily for three months.
What a difference..but I was jittery and a bit jumpy.
Promethium was added (taken 10 days per month) at night.
I did not fare well (mood swings, unpredictable tears flowing, anger).
I was switched to a daily pill (progesterone). It leveled some thing out...but not enough.
By the end of the 4th month, my hair fell out.
I was told it had nothing to do with the treatments (others told me it was most likely an inbalance between the progesterone and estradiol ).
A dermatologist confirmed I didn't have any scalp issues.
My sleep issues continued, but now I am waking up suddenly and can't seem to fall asleep for long. (Ironically, I did notice my body was more relaxed...the muscle tension was gone...but my mind was active..and I now have hotflashes and my scalp started to get sweaty at night).
I've gone back three more times, twice told to see it through another month.
It's been 7 months, I went back and now have some breast pain, crying jags, hair loss and some other issues.
I gave a list of my symptoms. I was told to increase the
Clamara (two patches per week). And basically that I had achieved some improvement, so I did have a better quality of life than before.
OK, so I am disappointed and a bit angry. I was scheduled to come back in 6 months!
I read your comments to a woman, almost the same regime, but with a vivelle patch (same mg), promethriem -- don't know if it was taken daily or for a set number of days...
Plus it said to increase the patch to twice a week.
I realize my dr. has reached the end of his comfort zone in this treatment. And I realize that even though I have some side affects, the treatment has some positive affects...but I know there has to be some balancing between what I am taking and over time, could find the right combination for me.
This is not in my current drs course of treatment. What he offers is what is effective and followed by many.
How do I find a doctor who is a bit more versed, comfortble with individualized treatments?
The highly publized clinics are expensive and according to some, not all are equally "manned" with medical professionals of the same level of expertise than the ones seen on TV (so I have heard).
It's a bit undaunting to find a new dr. while the topic is discussed, there's not a lot of recommendations from people in my community. And most offices won't schedule a consult...but want a totally "new" patient visit ($400+ vs $100/150 for a consult.).
When I call, I have learned to ask if the dr. treats with RX and also uses compounding pharmacies (that weeds out some doctors who only use one or two treatment plans).
Any suggestions?
11/2/2009 2:11:13 PM
Dear 53patrice,
Thanks for contacting me.
It is so unfortunate that you are unable to walk into your doctor’s office and expect him to understand that you have an illness that is treatable. Every doctor learns about the endocrine system yet when it comes to the gonads treatment is usually only extended to men.
You are doing all of the right things. You are taking your medication and since you know that it needs to be adjusted you are going back to your doctor to adjust it.
It is good that you are on a transdermal form of estradiol. I think that you would feel better on a daily progesterone cream and a daily testosterone cream and a daily dhea pill.
Remember that you are taking all of these medications to treat an illness and its name is profound hypogonadism. Go back to your doctor and remind him that you are taking these medications for more than just symptom relief. You are taking them to treat an illness. Gently request a progesterone cream and a testosterone cream. You can purchase dhea from a vitamin store.
Here is a suggested regime:
.01 Vivelle or Climara patch changed twice weekly or 2-3 mg estradiol cream applied nightly
2-6 mg testosterone cream applied nightly
20-40 mg progesterone cream applied nightly
10-25 mg dhea pill, taken every morning
Always start with the lowest dosage and increase every month or two until you feel better. Look for signs of too much. For instance if you are getting weepy or feeling sad reduce your progesterone by 5 mg and see how you feel after about a week. If you find that you are getting a bit jittery reduce your estradiol by ½ mg and see how you feel in a week. If you feel like you are a bit snappy and curt then reduce testosterone by ½ mg and see how you feel in a week.
Only adjust one hormone at a time. This can be a lengthy process but it is well worth it. Also, keep in mind that you may not feel as good as when your ovaries were still working. The reason is that these products are only replacing a few of the many gonadal hormones. In time more products will become available but for now this is what’s available.
I encourage you to use the medical name for your illness, profound hypogonadism, for two reasons. Giving your illness a name validates your need for treatment, and it also allows your doctor to know that a real illness is being treated. If you go to another doctor be sure to continue using the medical name of your illness. That way your doctor will understand that you are expecting treatment for a real illness.
Also consider taking a timed released (TR) melatonin pill before bedtime. I would suggest starting with 1 mg TR, taken nightly, and see how you do. You can increase the dosage to 2 mg TR and again to 3 mg TR as needed.
Let me know how it goes,
Beth
Dear 53patrice,
Thanks for contacting me.
It is so unfortunate that you are unable to walk into your doctor’s office and expect him to understand that you have an illness that is treatable. Every doctor learns about the endocrine system yet when it comes to the gonads treatment is usually only extended to men.
You are doing all of the right things. You are taking your medication and since you know that it needs to be adjusted you are going back to your doctor to adjust it.
It is good that you are on a transdermal form of estradiol. I think that you would feel better on a daily progesterone cream and a daily testosterone cream and a daily dhea pill.
Remember that you are taking all of these medications to treat an illness and its name is profound hypogonadism. Go back to your doctor and remind him that you are taking these medications for more than just symptom relief. You are taking them to treat an illness. Gently request a progesterone cream and a testosterone cream. You can purchase dhea from a vitamin store.
Here is a suggested regime:
.01 Vivelle or Climara patch changed twice weekly or 2-3 mg estradiol cream applied nightly
2-6 mg testosterone cream applied nightly
20-40 mg progesterone cream applied nightly
10-25 mg dhea pill, taken every morning
Always start with the lowest dosage and increase every month or two until you feel better. Look for signs of too much. For instance if you are getting weepy or feeling sad reduce your progesterone by 5 mg and see how you feel after about a week. If you find that you are getting a bit jittery reduce your estradiol by ½ mg and see how you feel in a week. If you feel like you are a bit snappy and curt then reduce testosterone by ½ mg and see how you feel in a week.
Only adjust one hormone at a time. This can be a lengthy process but it is well worth it. Also, keep in mind that you may not feel as good as when your ovaries were still working. The reason is that these products are only replacing a few of the many gonadal hormones. In time more products will become available but for now this is what’s available.
I encourage you to use the medical name for your illness, profound hypogonadism, for two reasons. Giving your illness a name validates your need for treatment, and it also allows your doctor to know that a real illness is being treated. If you go to another doctor be sure to continue using the medical name of your illness. That way your doctor will understand that you are expecting treatment for a real illness.
Also consider taking a timed released (TR) melatonin pill before bedtime. I would suggest starting with 1 mg TR, taken nightly, and see how you do. You can increase the dosage to 2 mg TR and again to 3 mg TR as needed.
Let me know how it goes,
Beth
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