Aa
estradiol patch 8 years after being on hormones
about fourteen years ago i had a complete hysrectomy and was on either premarin or estratest...i quit taking hormones about 8 years ago...since then i have had severe derpession and anxiety vaginal dryness,no intrest in sex recently(i think that could be cause by the antidepressant im on) my dr put me on the estradiol patch low dose..will it help me any?I have no energy and im sick of the depression and anxiety i have no reason to, be this way i have a perfectly good life...has anyone gone off estrogen for years adn then back on it with sucess..i just turned 50,was 36 when i had total hystrectomy..any words would be helpful,my dr is not big on hormones i wanted estrotest but she refused to precribed she is actually a physcians assiant
the patch im in is 0.025 and it is generic climara,im hoping to get in with a dr that works with bioidenticals and testing
Hi,
If I were you, I would call the doctor's office to find out exactly what was prescribed to you, or call the pharmacist to see the brand name of the patch you're on... and to get the dose you're on if only because knowledge is power and if you start working with someone else to get help with the hormone situation they will want to know exactly what you are taking. But, in an ideal world, you would also be given a blood test to see what your levels are for estradiol.
As great as testosterone is, you would not want to take it without making sure your levels of Estradiol is optimal (post menopausal it should be at least 90 to 1110 pg/ml). You need enough estradiol in your system in order for the testosterone to work the way it is meant to work. The two hormones can then work hand in hand to help with not only sex drive, but things that can be helped with testosterone, such as chemical sensitivites, sensitivities to loud noises, mood, and bone health. But, just remember that with testosterone, a little can be a lot for a woman.... necessary, but not needed in high doses. And, it is givin "Off label" since actual bio testosterone has not been approved by the FDA. I have never used Estratest but I've heard enough negative things about it that I would not want to try it myself. For one thing, it sounds like you are committed to one specific dose of each hormone when they are wrapped together this way. And, I cannot recall how bioidentically friendly this packaged hormone is. Remember, if you are on either Vivelle estradiol or Climara, you are on a bioidentical. It does not have to come in a cream form to be bioidentical. And frankly, the patches work so well ... the cream is fine, but if you are working with someone who likes to mix estradiol with estriol, that should be a big discussion. Estradiol is now the preferred estrogen. Much of the hoopla around Estriol years ago has died down. I did not do well on it when I tried it in Bi-est (two estrogens in bio form... estradiol and estriol).
You stated that it's been years since you have used any hormones, so you might want to do some research (google search the words Estradiol and nausea) to see if this would come up as a side effect. I know that so many cell receptors get reactivated ... accepting the new estradiol you are giving your body. The cell receptors that accept estradiol have been dormant for years, so it makes sense that you're going to have some kind of 'wake up call' or reaction to the new thing you've put in your body. I have never heard of the estradiol causing nauseausness (sp?) but I know there is a connection to dropping doses of estradiol that can cause stomach upset ... how many of us recall having diarrhea or other intestinal problems on the first day of our periods... All of that is from the drop in estradiol. So, if you're getting sick on day four of your patch, it seems reasonable to me that you are in dire need of changing the patch sooner...day three, perhaps. That's why it would be good to know the exact amount you're on. As the other writer suggested, you may want to check on getting a higher dose. But it would also be nice to know what your levels are (blood test).
There is so much to do when it comes to figuring all of this out, but it is worth it. Sounds like you're going through a lot stuff right now. Hoping things get better soon.. keep researching and find out what is going to work best for you.
Mary
If I were you, I would call the doctor's office to find out exactly what was prescribed to you, or call the pharmacist to see the brand name of the patch you're on... and to get the dose you're on if only because knowledge is power and if you start working with someone else to get help with the hormone situation they will want to know exactly what you are taking. But, in an ideal world, you would also be given a blood test to see what your levels are for estradiol.
As great as testosterone is, you would not want to take it without making sure your levels of Estradiol is optimal (post menopausal it should be at least 90 to 1110 pg/ml). You need enough estradiol in your system in order for the testosterone to work the way it is meant to work. The two hormones can then work hand in hand to help with not only sex drive, but things that can be helped with testosterone, such as chemical sensitivites, sensitivities to loud noises, mood, and bone health. But, just remember that with testosterone, a little can be a lot for a woman.... necessary, but not needed in high doses. And, it is givin "Off label" since actual bio testosterone has not been approved by the FDA. I have never used Estratest but I've heard enough negative things about it that I would not want to try it myself. For one thing, it sounds like you are committed to one specific dose of each hormone when they are wrapped together this way. And, I cannot recall how bioidentically friendly this packaged hormone is. Remember, if you are on either Vivelle estradiol or Climara, you are on a bioidentical. It does not have to come in a cream form to be bioidentical. And frankly, the patches work so well ... the cream is fine, but if you are working with someone who likes to mix estradiol with estriol, that should be a big discussion. Estradiol is now the preferred estrogen. Much of the hoopla around Estriol years ago has died down. I did not do well on it when I tried it in Bi-est (two estrogens in bio form... estradiol and estriol).
You stated that it's been years since you have used any hormones, so you might want to do some research (google search the words Estradiol and nausea) to see if this would come up as a side effect. I know that so many cell receptors get reactivated ... accepting the new estradiol you are giving your body. The cell receptors that accept estradiol have been dormant for years, so it makes sense that you're going to have some kind of 'wake up call' or reaction to the new thing you've put in your body. I have never heard of the estradiol causing nauseausness (sp?) but I know there is a connection to dropping doses of estradiol that can cause stomach upset ... how many of us recall having diarrhea or other intestinal problems on the first day of our periods... All of that is from the drop in estradiol. So, if you're getting sick on day four of your patch, it seems reasonable to me that you are in dire need of changing the patch sooner...day three, perhaps. That's why it would be good to know the exact amount you're on. As the other writer suggested, you may want to check on getting a higher dose. But it would also be nice to know what your levels are (blood test).
There is so much to do when it comes to figuring all of this out, but it is worth it. Sounds like you're going through a lot stuff right now. Hoping things get better soon.. keep researching and find out what is going to work best for you.
Mary
yes im the low dose esttradiol like u said...it just says on the box estradiol patch..so i dont know which kind it is when i first started it on july 23 on the 4th day i had nausea so dr said go off it a few days and try it again so i puit it back on the 28th and its the 4th day today and i feel abit nauseated again and my right side of my head hurts and my right eye but i have had that before,,,,thanks so much,im going to tty to get in with a dr thatt does bioidenticals and i know i ned testorone i have no desire i i was always one horny girl and i will be off the prozac soon,wwellbutrin is suppose to help sex drive and i dont think xanax would cause loss of sex drve i have been on benzos 20 years,its awful im addicted...i just want to be happy and feel right
Hi... I got your message and I hope you don't mind that I'm posting here... I don't have too much time at the momment so I need to be brief (hard for me!). Please read my profile... and try to catch a few of my last posts that are on my profile too (under Posts, I think) There are a number of posts about recent deaths of members from the Ovarian Cancer forum,... very sad. Try, however, to find the posts pertaining the info on hormones. And, check my journal, too. ...
I also understand that when the body is low in estradiol, it may be hard to concentrate (I've been there) and I get that... but, learn all that you can and understand the history as to why the word "hormone" scared women half to death in the year 2001... Poorly designed tests, media hype... crazy.
After years and years of dealing with the ups and downs of the hormone world, I finally have the answers I've been looking for. Again, so much of this is controversial, but I don't have thirty years to wait for research. The reserach I've read is good enough for me and I've also lived it. I use what some consider a high dose of Estradiol (Vivelle Patch) and I use it to make sure my serum (NOT saliva) blood tests show I am in a range that if I had a period would put me at about day one or day two of my cycle. I want enough estradiol in me to make sure I can string a sentence together, avoid depression, have a sex drive, have better word retrival, have strong bones, less moodiness, have good heart function, no cramping in legs (the worst when I am low in my estradiol)... no foot problems (yes... when estradiol was too low for a few years...bad doc's advice... yuk,... I ended up having to have surgery on both feet).. no joint pain... I could go on and on and on.
Estradiol alone contributes to over 400 functions in a woman's body!!! We really are our hormones.
I use a small amount of Testosterone.
I also use Estrace occasionally for vag. dryness and urinary issues. It is systemic and won't go into the overall amount of estradiol that is already in my system due to the patch. I would surely ask for this as I'm afraid the lubrication available over the counter is not going to be good enough, especially given the small dose of estradiol you are on (I am assuming it is the 0.025??? Vivelle? Or, are you on Climara?
If you are on Climara or Vivelle, you are on a bioidentical hormone.
The practitioner taking care of you needs to do some research. I would not phrase it that way... it sounds kind of harsh, but my ire really got up there when I read that she's "not big on hormones." Honestly, this kind of comment that women have to deal with is one of the cruelest comments that can be made. I get a bit worked up about this (one reason I don't post much about hormones anymore... I put too much energy into answering and I get so worked up as to how women, espeically women who've had radical hysterectomies are treated by many in the medical community).
I got lucky and found a doc who understands. He knows, too, that I've done gobs of research and that I know what I am talking about and that I want to do what is best for me.
He understands that women's bodies functioned best when there was estradiol present.
OK... this is a short post for me. Have to go. Best of luck to all out there. Some days it is hard to be an advocate for yourself, but you can't give up at all...
Mary
I also understand that when the body is low in estradiol, it may be hard to concentrate (I've been there) and I get that... but, learn all that you can and understand the history as to why the word "hormone" scared women half to death in the year 2001... Poorly designed tests, media hype... crazy.
After years and years of dealing with the ups and downs of the hormone world, I finally have the answers I've been looking for. Again, so much of this is controversial, but I don't have thirty years to wait for research. The reserach I've read is good enough for me and I've also lived it. I use what some consider a high dose of Estradiol (Vivelle Patch) and I use it to make sure my serum (NOT saliva) blood tests show I am in a range that if I had a period would put me at about day one or day two of my cycle. I want enough estradiol in me to make sure I can string a sentence together, avoid depression, have a sex drive, have better word retrival, have strong bones, less moodiness, have good heart function, no cramping in legs (the worst when I am low in my estradiol)... no foot problems (yes... when estradiol was too low for a few years...bad doc's advice... yuk,... I ended up having to have surgery on both feet).. no joint pain... I could go on and on and on.
Estradiol alone contributes to over 400 functions in a woman's body!!! We really are our hormones.
I use a small amount of Testosterone.
I also use Estrace occasionally for vag. dryness and urinary issues. It is systemic and won't go into the overall amount of estradiol that is already in my system due to the patch. I would surely ask for this as I'm afraid the lubrication available over the counter is not going to be good enough, especially given the small dose of estradiol you are on (I am assuming it is the 0.025??? Vivelle? Or, are you on Climara?
If you are on Climara or Vivelle, you are on a bioidentical hormone.
The practitioner taking care of you needs to do some research. I would not phrase it that way... it sounds kind of harsh, but my ire really got up there when I read that she's "not big on hormones." Honestly, this kind of comment that women have to deal with is one of the cruelest comments that can be made. I get a bit worked up about this (one reason I don't post much about hormones anymore... I put too much energy into answering and I get so worked up as to how women, espeically women who've had radical hysterectomies are treated by many in the medical community).
I got lucky and found a doc who understands. He knows, too, that I've done gobs of research and that I know what I am talking about and that I want to do what is best for me.
He understands that women's bodies functioned best when there was estradiol present.
OK... this is a short post for me. Have to go. Best of luck to all out there. Some days it is hard to be an advocate for yourself, but you can't give up at all...
Mary
thanks for the word i am tapering off the prozac i have been on since march,they say it causes lack of sexual interest,im still on wellbutrin and xaanx though will be off the prozac in about 2 weeks....im thinking about bioidenticals
Estrodiols should increase sexual desire, and aid in vaginal dryness. Basically the patch with put the substrates needed to make estrogen and other sex hormones into your body, letting your body's natural pathways convert the hormones into their appropriate form. This is typically highly effective. In a month or so, if you do not notice a change, talk to your doctor about increasing your dose. If you do not feel your dr. is giving your needs proper address, a second oppinion is an option. In the meantime, picking up a generic water based lubricant will help keep your vaginal membrane from chapping from normal movement and may help help some of the irritation from the dryness.
Your medication may be influencing your sex drive by making you feel tired or otherwise lack-luster.
Your medication may be influencing your sex drive by making you feel tired or otherwise lack-luster.
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Menopause Community
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
Normal vaginal discharge varies in color, smell, texture and amount.
Bumps in the genital area might be STDs, but are usually not serious.
Chlamydia, an STI, often has no symptoms, but must be treated.
From skin changes to weight loss to unusual bleeding, here are 15 cancer warning signs that women tend to ignore.
