Anyone using natural treatments, other than bio-identicals?

[sgtanthony]

I am 49 and pretty certain I have been Perimenopausal for about 4-5 years.  This year has been the worst by far.  I had labs done and my progesterone is low.  My doctor put me on plant based progesterone cream, but no help.  I am trying to avoid HRT, due to having a family history of Cancer.  My mom died from ovarian cancer two years ago.  I need to try something however, as I have zero life and feel God awful all the time now.  I have tons of symptoms but by far the worst are: hot flashes and night sweats, dizziness and vertigo, haven't had a period for almost three months and before that they were all over the map, anxiety and depression, panic attacks, constant gas and bloating in upper stomach, food intolerances, adrenal surges (I do have adrenal fatigue that had gotten way worse since going into Perimenopause), heart palps, tachycardia, POTS/Dysautonomia (that only started after the other Peri symptoms started), reflux, weight gain, rapid aging, extreme fatigue, horrible muscle and joint pain all over, and bacterial vaginosis that my gyno says is due to the haywire hormones.  I am going to try acupuncture and maybe some Chinese herbs, but just wondering if anyone else has any natural or alternative recommendations.  Thanks.

[sgtanthony]

Thanks!

[sgtanthony]

Thanks so much.

[sgtanthony]

Thanks,  I actually have had sooooo many extensive thyroid labs because for years I have suspected that I was hypo, but they always come back normal.  When I was first tested about 15 years ago, I went to a clinic in Texas that specialized in hormone imbalances.  All my labs came back Normsl but they still thought I was hypo.  I was put on the smallest amount of Armour they could out me on and I still reacted terribly to it.  Knowing what I know now, they didn't address the adrenal issues at all and from what Imhave read, they should have done that first.  However here I am 15 years later and my my thyroid labs still show normal.  I also have PCOS which means I have had hyperandrogen issues off and on over the years (excess testosterone).  I wish I could find someone to get to the bottom of it.

[SassyLassie]

Here is the link to the school, it has a wealth of info on it, plus addresses you can write to both email and snail mail. Hope this helps.
http://www.bastyr.edu/

[SassyLassie]

Hello,

I can sure relate to the anguish you are going through, I had the same issues when I was "Peri", it is no fun.

I have used the bio-identical hormones, both the ones that are over the counter and the ones that my naturopath prescribed for me that were made in a compounding pharmacy. I did feel better on the, what they helped the most for me was the irregular heart beats and hot flashes. Have you read the books by Dr Lee, they are called "What your doctor may not tell you about Peri-menopause" and "What your doctor may not tell you about Menopause" they are both well worth reading. You can get them at local bookstores or through Amazon.com. As to accupuncture, I have had that as well, it did help some, along with the bio-identical hormones.

I don't know of any Naturopaths in S Calif, I lived in Washington state. I had a terrific one in Seattle, her name is Dr Brinton, she is also an instructor at the famous Bastry Naturopathic College in Seattle. I would email the school and ask if they have any graduates that are practicing in your area.

[vino14]

Hi, on other forums women try all kinds of herbs some with improvement(black cohosh etc) but mostly for hot flashes. I've had most of the symptoms you describe since I was 33, to be 40 next month. I've used creams on my own that you can buy on line for estrogen (estriol or biestro) and progesterone with some improvement, but not nearly enough. Finally I decided to go to the doctor and have a complete work up in regards to hormones. I was very low on all hormones: Estrogen, Progest, Testost, DHEA and the number one discovery was being Hypothyroid. It has been 6ms now and still struggle because of thyroid,  puts the brake on all the sex hormones. I have hot flashes really bad when my thyroid meds are low.  I'm doing labs for FSH and testosterone every 3 weeks. The bioidentical creams I use from Womens International Pharmacy are really good, more superior than stuff you buy over the counter.  Because I have put off  going to a good doctor for the hormones , thinking it was just perimenopause and "will get better" or even out when I'm at menopause, my symptoms got so bad I could barely function. According to labs I'm really close to menopause. Thyroid function affects ovary function and adrenal function .  If my Thyroid condition would have been discovered earlier, I wouldn't have ovarian insufficiency now. I personally don't think you will get to recover without HRT, first you want to make sure there is not a Thyroid condition in play.(to me it sounds like a very high possibility)   I am seeing a functional medicine doctor, you may get   a more realistic assesment with a naturopath if any herbs combination will help you. You need to have labs done on all hormones including testosterone (total and free).  Read on iodine supplementation and breast/uterine cancer connection , David Brownstein has lots of good books on it. Had no idea how much iodine breast tissue needs!  I'm taking Logul's Iodine 5% 8 drops a day, took a long time to get there. Best of luck to you! I know exactly how you feel.

[sgtanthony]

Also.....if you can recommend a naturopath or integrative medical doctor who is a hormone expert in So. Calif., I would appreciate it.  Thanks.