Thanks for your comments. My gyn did indeed give me Vivelle patches last week but I have not begun using them as of yet. Your recommendation of getting the blood work first was helpful. Since I just saw my gyn, I have an appointment with my PC in a few weeks and will ask him for the blood work you mentioned.
I now plan to hold on to the patches until I get some sort of confirmation about the amount of estrogen my ovaries may/may not be producing.
:Your info was helpful.
thx
mamastarling
Hi,
You raise a goos question, its common for women to think that hrt is just for woemn without ovaries, its actually used even more frequently for women with ovaries naturally entering menopause ( as you are).
I advise that you read up on bio-identical hormones, they come in may forms such as creames, mist sprays, pills, I personally found the patch to be the best method for me, very easy to use, and I think ( just my opinion) that the patch deliveres the most acurate does, ( except pills) Ive never been convinced mists or creams could be dosed properly.
Yes deffinatley make an appointment with your Dr. the product I used ( my main symptoms where hot flashes, night sweats) was the Vivelle estrogen patch. Your Dr can and should do blood work, because even though it may seem not your ovaries are still trickling just a bit of estrogen so you need to know your hormone levels ( Dr does) to prescribe correct combination or single hormone, what ever you may need. You will be amazed how much better you will feel in just about 5-7 days ( less for some)
Bio Identical in comparison with old school hormones like premarine are very safe, you will hear different from some, actually I asked my cardiologist he says they are safe for heart where the older hormones are not, and lack of estrogen is very bad for the skeletal system...reason why we see many older ( as well as other health conditions) ladies with bent shouders, reason why women "shrink" we dont shrink our spines lack density and vertebrae become compressed. so besides helping your primary symptoms it is really something to think of for other health reasons. Also a good time in life to increase your calcium ( ask drs advice as calcium can cause issues with certain pre exsisting health conditions)
good luck, phone the Dr, your primary could take care of this, but I believe in going to specialists, your gyno would be a better choice.
best of wishes,
Cherie