I don't mind you asking. I do use a corsett; Maidenform Waist Clincher found on Maidenform.com. The corsett has metal supports and shapes my waist and torso. But more importantly, it shapes, supports, and holds my spine. With the estrogen, the time I wear the corsett has been reduced. I wear it mostly in my house, or with certain clothing that is waist defining.

I have excellent bones and density. When my orthopedic providers show me the Xrays, I'm shocked. It doesn't look like the Xray of a 69 year-old-woman. I started using estrogen and progesterone at age 62. However, my bone marrow is not nearly as healthy. I have full blown anemia in knees and hip joints and I use leg warmers (dancers' muscle warmers) and it alleviates 100% joint stiffness, pain, and discomfort. I also wear men's or boy's thermal underwear under my sleepwear all year-round while sleeping. This keeps my hips and knees warm and blood circulation working well. I am working with providers to improve bone marrow and liver function.

Remember that if you use pure estrogen you have to balance with progesterone. I cycle my use of hormones, similar to birth controll pills. You could start monthly bleeding cycle, if you are post menepausal or if your reproductive organs are not atrophic. I test for ovarian cancer and bone cancer using a simple blood test Ca 125, which tests for cancer antigens, and Ionized calcium blood test, which mearsure calcium in the blood and is known to be a predictor of bone cancer. Both tests use reference range to identify evidence of cancer.

My last warning is, there is only one company that manufactures pure estrogen here in the US and Canada. Don't be fooled with knockoffs or other products. It can be lethal after taking pure estrogen for two or more years. There is no replacement one you start this regime. I started with the smallest dose and then gradually use the middle dosage amount for the last six years. Best regards.

Wilma Lynn Buie (formerly, Lynn B. Brooks), MS EdD, LPCA Candidate, NBCC examined, Associate Degree Nursing Education, PBT ASCP Certified, ASCP Board examined