I have taken The bio identical hormones for the past 20 years. No side effects. I am now starting the pellet bioidentical testosterone and estradiol 3mg ,also doing a compounded progesterone 100 mg. I am hoping it will increase my bone densitynumbers. I feel like you I do not want to be on medicines. Have you had your bone markers tested even though my endocrinologist had been testing the CTX for 10 years I was never told anything about it until I got on this site. Try to find a good integrative medicine doctor with plenty of experience. Remember, the drug companies are not financing the bioidentical so, they aren’t approved. I really feel it comes down to dollars and cents. Good luck and let me know how you make out. I love this site. It teaches me so much.