Progesterone therapy

Bewildered by Bio-Identical Hormones

Are bio-identical hormones safe for treatment in menopause? I have no symptoms but did have a blood clot in my calf years ago when I was first pregnant. I was told then to never take estrogen. Could I safely take bio-identical hormones? I’m asking because I recently saw Suzanne Somers on the Oprah show discussing hormone replacement with bio-identical hormones. She says they are making her feel great. CBC’s “The National” last week said that drug company hormone therapy, too, is now considered safe.
Progesterone Therapy for Night Sweats in Perimenopause

I’m 42, waking most nights about 1am and having bad hot flushes some nights. I had to stop the Pill because I got increasing migraines. What can I do to help my night sweats and get some good sleep without taking estrogen and making migraines worse?
What’s in a name?

I’m all confused. Am I in menopause or not? If I am, how come I have regular periods? If I’m not, how come I get night sweats? I have a friend that’s menstruating and flushing like me who went to her doctor, had some blood test and was told she was “not in menopause.” Can you help me make sense of these confusing words?
Should I have an Endometrial Ablation for Heavy Bleeding?

I recently read an article in More magazine about extreme bleeding, fibroids and endometrial ablation. The author had heavy bleeding and ended up having the fibroids removed and an endometrial ablation. I’m a healthy 45-year old yet I’ve been having gushing and flooding for several months. Should I have the lining of my uterus scraped away?
What should I expect after early surgical menopause?

I’m 47 and had my ovaries but not my uterus removed. However, following surgery I wasn’t told what to expect, if I needed to take hormones, or what I might experience. My GP was as vague as my gynecologist. I’m having 2-3 night sweats a week, my sleep is very interrupted and have 3-6 daytime hot flushes per week but all of these things are the same as before surgery. I even still have my usual libido and good vaginal lubrication. I thought I’d lose those with my ovaries. . . .
When should I have sex to get pregnant?

I am a 36-year old female and we have been trying to conceive since October 2006. I know my fertile window is 3 days before ovulation the day of and after ovulation. Does that mean that you cannot fall pregnant if you engage in sexual activity a week before your next period?
Do I need an Endometrial Biopsy?

My doctor is insistent that I have to have surgery-I guess a D & C or an endometrial biopsy. I’m a perfectly healthy, although a little heavy, woman in my early 50s and was sure that I was in menopause because I had been without a period for 20 months. Then I felt my libido spike, my breasts get sore and the mucus went gooey for days, and then constipation. The next morning I awoke to bleeding, just as if there had been no 20-month break. And, as recently as last week there had been another change in the mucus, but no other symptoms.
PCOS (AAE) and Insulin Resistance

Two years ago I was diagnosed with PCOS by my general practitioner, who started me on Diane35® but basically did nothing else. Despite walking and working out regularly, I have continued to gain weight, and my emotional/hormonal levels seem very out of place. My waistline is increasing despite a fasting glucose test that indicated I am not diabetic. I am looking for advice as to how to find out more information about PCOS so that I can try to regain control over my menstrual health, and ultimately my weight and emotional health.
Androgen Excess

I am having some issues with my hormones and acne lately. My background: I started menstruating when I was 15 years old and had really heavy week long periods, but they were irregular and did not come very often. When I was about 17 I started getting big pimples on my face, my Doctor at the time told me that it was because my periods were irregular and prescribed me Diane 35. It worked. I was on Diane for 5 years. The problem now: I am now almost 22. I went off Diane at the end of February and not including the initial period, I haven’t had one since (about 6 months!). I went off Diane because of fear of long term side effects, especially considering my mother’s history of estrogen dependent cancers (atypia cells in her breasts, and ovarian cancer). Since I went off the Diane, however, my skin has gotten extremely bad and I have severe acne concentrated on my chin. I am concerned for many reasons including that I am petite and worry about osteoporosis. I am tempted to go back on Diane 35 because it helped in so many respects, but again am apprehensive… Any suggestions you might have for me would be greatly appreciated.
Why do I have Osteoporosis? I’m Way too Young!

I slipped on some soggy leaves while walking home from work. I ended up breaking my upper arm. I’m only 36-this kind of fracture typically happens in 80 year olds! My bone density shows a Z-score of -3, meaning I have osteoporosis by bone density as well as low trauma fracture. But how I could have osteoporosis since I am so young and do everything right? I walk about an hour a day (my commute), I eat yogurt and cheese and drink 3 glasses of skim milk a day-all my life I have taken a multi vitamin. My weight is perfect. I’ve never skipped a period and they come predictably every 27 days. I don’t even have osteoporosis in my family. Why did I break my arm???