HRT Alternatives...

For those who don't know me, I'm 28yrs old and am currently undergoing chemo for a recurrence of ovarian cancer. I was originally diagnosed stage 3c back in September of 2005. I was put on Premarin immidiately after surgery and took it for a year until I found out that my type of cancer (MPSC) tends to be estrogen driven. I discontinued the Premarin cold turkey (on the advice of my Dr) and have been lucky to not suffer from hot flashes or many of the other nagging side effects of menopause, except for one - my sex drive. I get that much of it is mental and that undergoing chemo is probably hampering the whole situation, but I'll be honest, I miss my Premarin or, more so, what it did for me. I cannot take any type or form of HRT - are there alternatives to help me in this area? I swear, I feel like the oldest 28yr old I know! Anyone have any suggestions?
Thanks in advance,
Becky

[alanpvegas]

Well, I think so.  I'd recommend talking to your gyn onco about this, but things like fermented soy or DIM can help.  They are like 'weak' estrogen that can be used for this purpose and (as a plus) they are shown to work against ovca.

Nature's Way makes supplements like these,

DIM:  http://www.naturesway.com/NaturesWay/productdetail.aspx?productid=14810

Fermented Soy:
http://www.naturesway.com/NaturesWay/productdetail.aspx?productid=14740

Medically, I like fermented soy because at least woman who did this on her own stabalized her disease with a fermented soy drink.  The key to it is the Genistein content which is higher in fermented soy (this is what works on ovca...and what phenoxodil is an analog of).

But, talk to your doctor about it.  Many in this country have no clue about anything besides what they were trained in school though...

[nyc lady]

Hey Beck....wish there was something to take.  I know that many people find relief, or I should say find their libido even with OTC supplements, most of them containing soy and/or black cohosh.  I can tell you that my doctors will not allow me to take any of these as they "mimic" estrogen, and their is the belief that my ORS is caused by estrogen.  Now, it is also my understanding that your recurrence could have come quicker because of the premarin.  You need to talk to your doctors about everything.  Mine just seem to listen.  There are people that are doing low dose anti-depressants, that is supposed to help alleviate some menopausal symptoms.  

Let me know if you come up with anything....I know how you feel, emotionally, I am all there, physically, I could be in the other room, it doesn't make a difference.  And for me, it's not chemo, just plain old menopause.

Love you.
Pam