I know that out there amongst the herbally-alternative-knowledgeable base of folks here, I can find some recommendations for a natural estrogen cream. I'm not all that choked up about the Premarin that was suggested once before by a doctor.

Any advice or recommendations? Thank ye.

I would be careful with phyto-estrogens if there was any history of estrogen dependent cancers. Not to say they affect them, but there is not enough research yet. I only have anecdotal for myself- after taking a phyto-estrogen product for several months, I developed precancerous uterine hyperplasia. IMHO, it's not worth the risk until they do the research.

I do remember reading this awhile back. I think jenniferch wrote about this as well since she has personal experience with this.

Two things: There is no history of estrogen dependent cancers in my immediate family, and even though I know it's absorbed to a certain extent into the system via the skin, I'm wondering if the cream isn't less problematic than anything orally? Even when oral estrogens or patches were suggested to me years ago, I adamantly refused them. IMO, I never really needed any kind of supplementation in the first place. I was more fortunate than some other women who seriously have to weigh these options.

But I am interested in the cream. Like I said, using something that is a derivative of mare's urine is not an option! So at best I'm looking for something a little more natural and not something gathered at the expense of an animal!

There was no history of breast cancer in my family either, before me. I don't think it matters where the estrogen comes from, the end result is probably the same. I now longer drink soy milk for that reason. Please think carefully!

The irony is, after taking HRT for 5 years because of hot flashes, I'm still having hot flashes due to the anti estrogen meds I'm taking. And they would have stopped long ago!

Thanks for the input. I appreciate it. I guess I'll just check either online or at the health food store (where I get my herbal supplements and vitamins) for a natural and/or herbal lubricant. I've been dealing w/the woman who owns the store for years, so I trust her opinions too. Thanks again.

Hi Linda,
I found this site with some info re natural and synthetic estrogen.
http://www.alternativemedicinechannel.com/menopause/hormones.shtml

Seems I've heard that wild yam cream is good, but that is just relying on my memory, nothing I've researched.
Hope your health food store gives you some good info.

ellen

Thank you ellen. I checked out the link and read it completely through. Lots of info to work with. I was fortunate in that I was able to purchase one of the 'remedies' she mentioned in that piece. Found it - of all places - in Stop N' Shop! Thanks again.

Hello Gardenz; I have been on progesterone cream for quite sometime. It is progesterone and NOT esterogen. I think there are many different types out there but this particular one was made by a pharmasist and is soy based. I also take estrogen called tri-est and it has all the estrogens in it. Apparently thera are 4 types...quite technical...anyway the premarin(pregnant mare urine) has only one estrogen and the triest has 3 and none of whatever type of estrogen the premarine has in it. Tri-est is also made of soy and I get it from my pharmisist. I take the triest for 14 days and then the progesterone cream for 10 days, then nothing for 4 days. I have had a total hysterectomy about 8 years ago and the hot flashes are still pretty bad. Quite often when you have bad hot flashes you may also have a thyroid problem but need to get that checked out by Dr. Once I got on thyroid medicine it has helped a lot!

I didn't go for the estrogen my Dr. wanted to put me on either. I get along well with Estroven, gotta check that out more, and Black Cohach. I can tell if I miss a day or two of it.

But I've never had really bad hot flashes, and mostly at night.

My doctor put me on Estrace. I believe it is a synthetic pill. Unfortuately, just like the birth control pill, I blow up like a balloon. Water retention is horrible. After a year I've finally made the decision to stop taking them. I've been off for 1 month. The water is gone and down the septic tank but the hot flashes are back. So in the end, I'll take the hot flashes over that water retention any day.

I found a good website that has some good information on premarine and triest;
http://www.restoreunity.org/estrogen_replacement_therapy.htm
and one for the progesterone cream; http://ezinearticles.com/?Using-Natural-Progesterone-Cream-Wisely&id=25429
Like I said I use both and I have found it is good for me.

Contraceptives
Ragleaf Bahia.
The Navajos, who called the Ragleaf bahia herb twisted medicine, drank a tea of the roots boiled in water for thirty minutes for contraception purposes.
Indian Paintbrush.
Hopi women drank a tea of the whole Indian paintbrush to "Dry up the menstrual flow."
Blue Cohosh.
Chippewa women drank a strong decoction of the powdered blue cohosh root to promote parturition and menstruation.
Dogbane.
Generally used by many tribes, a tea from the boiled roots of the plant was drunk once a week.
Milkweed.
Navajo women drank a tea prepared of the whole plant after childbirth.
American Mistletoe.
Indians of Mendocino County drank a tea of the leaves to induce abortion or to prevent conception.
Antelope Sage.
To prevent conception, Navajo women drank one cup of a decoction of boiled antelope sage root during menstruation.
Stoneseed.
Shoshoni women of Nevada reportedly drank a cold water infusion of stoneseed roots everyday for six months to ensure permanent sterility.
Coughs

please check with doctor first

I'm still trying to decide if the natural progesterone cream is okay for me; I am taking it this month. My doctor thinks it's safe, but doctors also often think that our medications are safe, even if they sound really toxic to me (like the one I tried to take for my toenail fungus ).

That website said progesterone was a diuretic. As if I didn't already have to go all the time.

--J--

I found some information about Androxin Gel but I didnt experience it by myslef.

Gardenz - you need to have another discussion with your doctor.

Did you bring up the fact that you didn't want to use Premarin (which, by the way, has been on its way out for years now. The farms that supplied the urine - nearly all in Canada - have been closing down in droves during the past 10 years or so.)

There are other medically approved options, & even if you decide to go with some suggested herbal remedy here, I'd still run it past your doctor first. I certainly wouldn't take anyone's word (even mine - lol!!) on an internet board about the safety of an herbal remedy.