Bioidentical Hormones: Safer For Hot Flashes Than HRT?

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I have also seen a bandaid about 1x1" on my sister on law, that said it was for her hormones. I would love to start taking the bioidentical hormones. I have paid 3,000 for a year at HRC. I thought they said when asked that they gave bioidentical hormones, they put two to three pellets in my thigh, estrogone, and testostorne, I take something in pill form for my thyroid and prednosone. I feel terrible and it has been over eight months. Help me find a doctor in Nashville, TN that can get me straightened out. I am foggy, hyper and cant sleep, I am depressed. I have gained 60 lbs. Otherwise I take care of myself. I have recently found with my dad passing that in his lock box at the bank he had kept my adoption records. There is heart and lung disease in my biological family, A-FIB I have had panic attack to the point of passing out since 19 yrs old and am 50 now. I got sober 25 years ago and got WORSE! I went to the best phycologist in town and they recommended strongly I go to the phyciatrist they refer there clients to and I refuse for five years. I said it is complete abstinence, I finally gave in and the Dr. put me on xanax and my little stay at home all day because I would pass out driving starting getting out a little at a time. Started selling Mary Kay and still have a hard time on the interstates or going far from home. Because my heart was beating 4 times the amount of everyone else's I calmed down. People could not believe the change in my behavior only my counselor, sponsor and parents knew what I was taking. I got better fast. I am back to scratch, Dr.s think I am drug seeking when my doctor retired so I hope and pray That the hormones will help, Im so dizzy, my chest is heavy and hurts, I think for the first time I am depressed both parents recently deceased. Attorneys taking there sweet time to give my inheritance, I am so grateful for, but they are eating up hundreds of thousands of dollars. I cant move Oh, etc, etc etc so much more

Anne Margaret Clark of TN 7:32PM July 21, 2012

Have been off bioidenticals- climera patch and prometrium for 2 weeks, and hot flashes/night sweats are back in full. When does it end. Have been on some from of hrt since 1969!!!! Help.

Kat of FL 1:22PM April 06, 2010

Just to present another viewpoint, I began taking bio-identical hormones four days ago and feel much worse. I trust my MD, who is holistic health treatment-oriented and does recommend bio-identical hormones. After one day of an estrogen compound, I have been crying, eating too much, and got two zits the likes of which I haven't seen in years! Before, I wasn't getting enough sleep due to hot flashes, and I had some brain fog, but this is worse. I'm tired and it's also hard to cope. Small obstacles seem large. I'm supposed to start the progesterone in two weeks on the first of the month, to make it easier to keep track.
I'm on very low dose already, but am going to try half the cream amount. I know I'm more sensitive than most. I tried to take birth control pills twice in my life and got these same side effects. I want to make it work, due to the benefits --- prevention of heart disease and osteoporosis, not to mention youthful skin and sexual appetite. But it isn't worth depression, weight gain and skin breakouts.

Jeanne Howard of CA 10:41PM March 15, 2010

I have been on bio identical progesterone cream for several years. I had severe uterine bleeding as I entered perimenopause. After 2 attempts with birth control to control the bleeding, I requested saliva testing and use of bio identicals. It significantly helped my mood, and the bleeding stopped for years until eventually I needed to have a hysterectomy. I had no side effects, unlike the birth control pills that left me severely depressed.
The statement that the labs have no standardized established measures has not been true for me. The routine saliva testing was able to show trends in my hormone levels and helped direct the decision making around the dosages used. While it is a "soft" test, many tests in medicine share the same status. CA 125 testing is known to show trends and be predictive of certain cancers, but can be elevated for non cancer problems. The lab I use has every standardized process in place that a pharmacutical lab would and lots of plaques to prove it. Pharmacueticals are made after studing a fairly small group of subjects ovarall, then released by the FDA. They are based often on Male size and weight. I prefer that someone did a very complete hormone panel and it specifically is treating my symptoms and that it can be adjusted to my symptoms. As I have went through the process of perimenopause, it has been important to adjust my dosages. I would not use it forever and don't believe it is the fountain of youth. I enjoy being older and wiser, but I think the standard answer that the labs are not standardized is misconstrued and fed but the pharmacuetical companies who, because they cannot patent a natural substance, use this discussion to scare users that it's not safe.

Dawn Krueger of WI 6:15PM December 08, 2009

When I see an expert physician like Dr. Berman so negative about bio-identicals, it makes me wonder if they may be understudied, politically manipulated and personally inexperienced with the natural hormones. This opposition from some physicians is thought to be wise in protecting against lawsuits so prevalent today. Usually, attorneys won't deviate from the "tried and true" and protect doctors using other than FDA approved pharmacuticals. However, I ask, how many energetic, sexy, calm, sexually fulfilled men and women on bio-identical hormones are suing their doctors today? It might be interesting to study the profile of a person who would file a lawsuit against their doctor. Maybe they are low on hormones and perhaps unhappy, unhealthy in general.
I urge the people to listen to the voices of personal experience and try bio-identical hormones for yourself. More women/men feeling healthier,fulfilled and more in charge of lives when using them, will eventually save visits to their doctors and ensuing insurance claims. That is the one challenge, it will mean less work for attorneys,doctors and insurance companies. The greater reward is reclaiming your right to decide what is better for your own body and time usage...

Michelle L. Gienger R. N. of WA 9:52AM April 28, 2009

Dr. Berman needs to do better research ( PSA changes in Hypogonadal men treated w/ Testosterone Replacement Therapy, Coward,RM, Divi. of Urological Surgery, UNC, Chapel Hill, NC www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19154450? ) It the men low Testosterone levels who get P. cancer, NOT the other way around. PSA levels remain stable as well.
Berman must either be intellectually blind to this well known and proved information or maybe she is associated with Pharmacuetical company. The article with her statments should have a disclaimer as her statement is false ! WBH,MD Fla.

wayner b. houston,md of FL 12:30PM April 01, 2009

I had a complete/total hysterectomy when I was 32 yrs. old. The doctor recommended a synthetic hormone replacement and I took it for 2-3 months. I gained weight big time, was hungry all of the time, and didn't feel like myself. So rather than to go back to the doctor, thus costing me more money, I researched. I chose an all natural hormonal supplement and it worked. I lost the 10 extra pounds that the synthetic supplement had caused me to put on. I wasn't hungry all of the time and felt good. Did it stop my hot flashes? For the most part it controlled the small hot flashes. The really tough/hard type of hot flashes, it didn't control. But I figured this all out on my own to make adjustments in myself. I quit caffeinated products which really helped a lot. And another thing was to use the bathroom when you first get the signal to urinate. I'd hold my urine at work or if I was busy and it would cause a hot flash. So I quit doing that. First signal, I'm headed that way, to the restroom. I took the supplement for 5-6yrs as recommended to prevent any bone loss. And afterwards, I quit taking it altogether and I feel fine. Why take a synthetic when you can take all natural, which is more healthful to you and your body? I took my all natural supplement @ $11.00 per month for those years and adjusted myself to no caffeine and to use the restroom when first signaled. It worked for me and as we all know, we are all not the same and what worked for me, may not work for everyone, but its worth a try.

lindilu ashbury of NH 10:20AM March 28, 2009