Estradot bioidentical hormone therapy VS Compounded BHRT

Posted by andreamayo @andreamayo, Mar 31, 2024

Hi!
I am 56 years old, 5 years post menopausal and am considering bioidentical hormone therapy (BHRT) for the next 5 years for bone health.
My spine is -3.7. Hips - 2.4.
My Naturopath doctor has suggested Compounded BHRT and my MD is also open to prescribing BHRT (which would be Estradot I presume).
My question is how do I decide between Estradot, estradiol 17B BHRT from the package prescribed by an MD or Compounded BHRT.
Health benefit either way?
Is there a big cost difference? I'm in Vancouver, Canada.
I don't have a private medical plan so will be paying for the medication out of pocket either way.
Thanks in advance for any insight.

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@andreamayo

My doctor gave me 3 choices today.
*Estradiol patch and oral progesterone
*Estradiol patch and a Mirena IUD that has estrogen slow release
*ESTALIS patch that has both estrogen and progesterone release. Estalis sounds easy, trying to find reviews either way.
ND doctor will prescribe compounded BHRT.
SO much to consider....

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lots of choices to make it so much more challenging!

I sent you a private message.

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@nme1985

Do they have the estradiol/testosterone pellets? Do the compounding according to you blood levels. I did the creams for 20 years believe it or not the minute I went into menopause in the last couple years. My doctor had increased the dose, and I am personally convinced for myself that it kept my osteo numbers lower I think, without the hormones and exercise I would’ve been far worse. He was encouraging me to do the pallets for years, but I was so resistant and finally I gave in. I am praying they really have a better impact. I do know my energy level has increased within 10 days… My mood is very positive. I am sleeping much better, I am just praying that this works and lasts. I do not want to go on Teal or Forteo, which is the drug. My Endo wants me to go on unfortunately she is not positive about hormones conventional in her thinking. Her I am going to make this choice now and take a chance. There are many chances with the synthetic drugs such as femur, jaw, problems, etc. so there’s a chance in anything. It’s very discouraging when one doctor is so against what you’re doing but I respect integrative medicine, Doctor Who has done this for 37 years.

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My endocrinologist is against the pellets that I am doing . There are so many opinions out there. I also felt better once starting the pellet therapy. I hope that it makes a difference.

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@teb

lots of choices to make it so much more challenging!

I sent you a private message.

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Where do I find the private message?

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@nme1985

Do they have the estradiol/testosterone pellets? Do the compounding according to you blood levels. I did the creams for 20 years believe it or not the minute I went into menopause in the last couple years. My doctor had increased the dose, and I am personally convinced for myself that it kept my osteo numbers lower I think, without the hormones and exercise I would’ve been far worse. He was encouraging me to do the pallets for years, but I was so resistant and finally I gave in. I am praying they really have a better impact. I do know my energy level has increased within 10 days… My mood is very positive. I am sleeping much better, I am just praying that this works and lasts. I do not want to go on Teal or Forteo, which is the drug. My Endo wants me to go on unfortunately she is not positive about hormones conventional in her thinking. Her I am going to make this choice now and take a chance. There are many chances with the synthetic drugs such as femur, jaw, problems, etc. so there’s a chance in anything. It’s very discouraging when one doctor is so against what you’re doing but I respect integrative medicine, Doctor Who has done this for 37 years.

Jump to this post

Hi. I’m sorry to cut into your thread. I’ve been on the compounded BHRT creams for about 20 years. I would like to know how the pellets are working for you? Also, which hormones and ratios are you on? I was on the
Bi-est 60/40 (Estriol/Estradiol) and then Progesterone cream for about 10 years and did very well on it until last year after I turned 60. I went to a Functional Medicine doctor and he put me on a combined compounded hormone cream with Estradiol/Progesterone/Testosterone/DHEA (1MG/100MG/1.25MG/10MG). But, I had to have the Testosterone dropped down to half because my hair was shedding, while hair was growing other places, my skin was turning jaundice and I keep getting UTI’s. Which, I found out that Testosterone can cause chronic UTIs and Jaundice. Since then, I’ve cut my whole dosage of everything in half because I was still having the jaundice effect and I haven’t been able to get ahold of my OB-GYN to have her have the Testosterone cut down another half or just removed completely. My hair has stopped shedding finally, but now I feel tired all the time, no energy and don’t sleep well. I’ve also been using Estriol vaginal cream 2-3 times a week. Which, I’m thinking I need more or something because I’m still having the Genitourinary syndrome of menopause symptoms and a painful bladder. It’s hard figuring what the best ratios are. But, I think I would love to go to the pellets if and when I can get my hormones back in balance again. I think it would be more consistent and be so much more convenient.

REPLY
@niece2363

Hi. I’m sorry to cut into your thread. I’ve been on the compounded BHRT creams for about 20 years. I would like to know how the pellets are working for you? Also, which hormones and ratios are you on? I was on the
Bi-est 60/40 (Estriol/Estradiol) and then Progesterone cream for about 10 years and did very well on it until last year after I turned 60. I went to a Functional Medicine doctor and he put me on a combined compounded hormone cream with Estradiol/Progesterone/Testosterone/DHEA (1MG/100MG/1.25MG/10MG). But, I had to have the Testosterone dropped down to half because my hair was shedding, while hair was growing other places, my skin was turning jaundice and I keep getting UTI’s. Which, I found out that Testosterone can cause chronic UTIs and Jaundice. Since then, I’ve cut my whole dosage of everything in half because I was still having the jaundice effect and I haven’t been able to get ahold of my OB-GYN to have her have the Testosterone cut down another half or just removed completely. My hair has stopped shedding finally, but now I feel tired all the time, no energy and don’t sleep well. I’ve also been using Estriol vaginal cream 2-3 times a week. Which, I’m thinking I need more or something because I’m still having the Genitourinary syndrome of menopause symptoms and a painful bladder. It’s hard figuring what the best ratios are. But, I think I would love to go to the pellets if and when I can get my hormones back in balance again. I think it would be more consistent and be so much more convenient.

Jump to this post

Do not apologize for coming into this thread. I was on bioidentical hormone creams for 20 years. It is over a year now that I have switched to the pallet therapy and I have moved up slowly. The average dose of a pallet for women is 100 MG‘s. I started on a low-dose and have moved up. I go in two weeks and I will go to the 100 mg I am doing this for bone building. He also gives me a estradiol I believe .3 pellet. I also take a compounded form of progesterone 100 MJ. I haven’t had any side effects except I feel energetic. My libido has returned after 20 years clearer thinking etc.. My doctor does a massive amount of blood work every four months he is an integrative medicine doctor not a gynecologist. He does do appointments via zoom. His name is Dr Anthony Bazzan associated with Jefferson Hospital at the Myrna Brind center in Philadelphia. He has written books and really knows about this field. Everything depends on the individual and the blood work. I will send you his link and you can read his philosophy etc.. Hope this helps you in someway. I am 68 years old.

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@nme1985

Do not apologize for coming into this thread. I was on bioidentical hormone creams for 20 years. It is over a year now that I have switched to the pallet therapy and I have moved up slowly. The average dose of a pallet for women is 100 MG‘s. I started on a low-dose and have moved up. I go in two weeks and I will go to the 100 mg I am doing this for bone building. He also gives me a estradiol I believe .3 pellet. I also take a compounded form of progesterone 100 MJ. I haven’t had any side effects except I feel energetic. My libido has returned after 20 years clearer thinking etc.. My doctor does a massive amount of blood work every four months he is an integrative medicine doctor not a gynecologist. He does do appointments via zoom. His name is Dr Anthony Bazzan associated with Jefferson Hospital at the Myrna Brind center in Philadelphia. He has written books and really knows about this field. Everything depends on the individual and the blood work. I will send you his link and you can read his philosophy etc.. Hope this helps you in someway. I am 68 years old.

Jump to this post

I am having a hard time attaching the link if you Google Dr Anthony Bazzan MD. Integrative medicine you will find a link to his site. I wish you the best of luck. If you’re not getting blood work to determine the levels of your hormones, I would be very cautious. As I said before everyone is different.

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