HRT question

[Guest Shari]

Hi everyone,

I hope someone can answer a question for me. When I started HRT I was put on a low dose of estrogen only, I couldn't have spiro because of a potential problem with my kidneys. After a few weeks my endo increased my estrogen dose by a lot. Today, my endo said he would prescribe progesterone in addition to the estrogen. I just assumed it was another female hormone so didn't ask a lot of questions except whether or not it would speed things up (he said it will). Later, I googled it and learned that it's a hormone in both men and women at about the same level (except during pregnancy). I learned that sometimes it is prescribed for men who have too much estrogen because it helps increase testosterone production. It has more or less the same effect on women in regards to estrogen. As a hormone it helps maintain balance. So, my question is, if any of you can explain, how it will help speed up my development? He did say that my testosterone level was high at my last visit and this would help bring it down.

He will also prescribe finasteride to help my thinning hair since rogaine did nothing for me.

Anybody know? Thanks.

Shari

[Guest Donna Jean]

Hi everyone,

Shari......

My standard answer is "Ask your doctor..."

I hope someone can answer a question for me. When I started HRT I was put on a low dose of estrogen only, I couldn't have spiro because of a potential problem with my kidneys. After a few weeks my endo increased my estrogen dose by a lot.

Spiro (or an anti-androgen of some type..) is usually used in concert with estrogen...without it, the estrogen has a very hard time working...

Today, my endo said he would prescribe progesterone in addition to the estrogen. I just assumed it was another female hormone so didn't ask a lot of questions except whether or not it would speed things up (he said it will). Later, I googled it and learned that it's a hormone in both men and women at about the same level (except during pregnancy). I learned that sometimes it is prescribed for men who have too much estrogen because it helps increase testosterone production. It has more or less the same effect on women in regards to estrogen. As a hormone it helps maintain balance.

I also take a progesterone for the first 10 days of the month....personally, I haven't noticed any speeded up development..

And...people (both here and on the internet..) will argue the pros and cons of it's use...

As far as myself....the jury is still out . It does make me an emotional wreck for those 10 days and I cry a lot....

So, my question is, if any of you can explain, how it will help speed up my development? He did say that my testosterone level was high at my last visit and this would help bring it down.

He will also prescribe finasteride to help my thinning hair since rogaine did nothing for me.

The finasteride is an anti-androgen...

Finasteride (marketed by Merck under the trademark names Proscar and Propecia, also available under several generic names) is a synthetic antiandrogen that inhibits type II 5-alpha reductase, the enzyme that converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT).

Anybody know? Thanks.

Huggs..

Dee Jay

Shari

[Guest Shari]

Thanks Dee Jay.

I got the results of my blood tests. It's kinda a mixed result mainly because I haven't been on a blocker. On a positive note my cholesterol is way down as a result of changing my diet...I'm healthier than at any time in my life. It seems to me that I am doing everything I can for a good result and now I just need the right hormones to do their magic.

Shari

[Guest Isabella_Anne]

Progesterone is said to help with breast development. It is supposed to help in filling out the breasts so there not as pointy and gives them "roundness". The preferred is medroxyprogesterone and like DJ says is usually given for 10 days a month because of the side effects. Some people don't take it at all because the side effect are too great. I have heard reports that it works good and that it has no effect at all. It depends on the person like everything else. It takes time to "dial in" the right drugs and the right dosages for any given person. IE that's why trying to do this on your own can be so dangerous. Sounds like your doc is just playing it safe and introducing each drug to you and making sure there are no terrible side effect that will harm your body. I'm sure he/she will have you up to speed in no time.

Hugs,

Isabella

[Guest Leah1026]

The preferred is medroxyprogesterone and like DJ says is usually given for 10 days a month because of the side effects.

Preferred? Preferred by whom?

Medroxyprogesterone is a misnomer because it isn't progesterone, it's a progestin, a related man-made chemical. A lot of people have side effects using this man-made chemical. Usually these side effects are related to anxiety, sometimes to the point of suicidal ideation.

What's the alternative? A natural micronized progesterone. Very few people have problems taking that. Because of forum rules I'm not sure if I'm allowed to name it. Some doctors aren't aware of this alternative because it only became available less than 10 years ago.

[Guest Donna Jean]

The preferred is medroxyprogesterone and like DJ says is usually given for 10 days a month because of the side effects.

Preferred? Preferred by whom?

What's the alternative? A natural micronized progesterone. Very few people have problems taking that. Because of forum rules I'm not sure if I'm allowed to name it. Some doctors aren't aware of this alternative because it only became available less than 10 years ago.

You can mention the name ...just not dosages...

And as long as it's available by Dr's prescription...

Dee Jay

[Guest Karen K]

I am more than a little concerned now:

The preferred is medroxyprogesterone and like DJ says is usually given for 10 days a month? because of the side effects.

I take medroxyprogesterone, as prescribed by my endo, 1 pill daily! everyday of the month. Should I not be doing this? I haven't had any side effects from any of the meds I'm taking for HRT. Surely my Endo wouldn't prescribe anything in a manner that would be dangerous. What should I do now?

[Guest Shari]

At first, I didn't care much for his conservatism but now considering the seriousness of what I'm doing I feel very good about it.

I love you folks,

That's why we talk endlessly about "see your doctor" and "ask your doctor." Nine times out of ten, they actually do know best. The tenth one though, sometimes turns out to be a freaking loon. But hey, them's good odds.

We love you back, Shari.

HUGS

Carolyn Marie

[Guest Leah1026]

The preferred is medroxyprogesterone and like DJ says is usually given for 10 days a month because of the side effects.

Preferred? Preferred by whom?

What's the alternative? A natural micronized progesterone. Very few people have problems taking that. Because of forum rules I'm not sure if I'm allowed to name it. Some doctors aren't aware of this alternative because it only became available less than 10 years ago.

You can mention the name ...just not dosages...

And as long as it's available by Dr's prescription...

Dee Jay

Okay. It goes by a couple names:

Prometrium

Microgest

and possibly others. The key is it's micronized progesterone. The ones I used in the past came into what looked to be gel caps. The gel caps use peanut oil to suspend the progesterone in; just a warning to anyone allergic to peanuts. I used the product for about 4 years without any problems. In my opinion it did, as other mentioned, help fill out breast development.