@komiskey10 Yes, menopause is a fact of life that we as women will experience, but I refuse to accept that we have to be uncomfortable so we must advocate for ourselves. I, personally, had to argue to get my hormone levels checked. Then again to get estrogen. It seems that it is an ongoing battle.
My experience with my primary and gynecologist has been that all of my complaints, whatever they are from insomnia, thyroid nodules/cysts, weight gain, joint pain, depression, dryness, etc., have all been blamed on menopause. I am 66 and have been complaining for more than 10 years. I was given Estradiol cream to use 2x a week. Not sure if it has achieved the desired outcome. Still atrophied, still dry. They have not been willing to do anything else due to breast cancer risk, they said it is a fact of life. I am frustrated with all of my doctors.
@gravity3
My great-grandmother, 2 aunts and a cousin have all had breast cancer. We have all been genetically tested. No cancer genes, but the still said I am not a candidate. Risk outweighs benefits.
@komiskey10 Yes, menopause is a fact of life that we as women will experience, but I refuse to accept that we have to be uncomfortable so we must advocate for ourselves. I, personally, had to argue to get my hormone levels checked. Then again to get estrogen. It seems that it is an ongoing battle.
@marjou same here! You have to do your research and advocate for yourself. My Gyno told me to see my PCP and my PCP said” I don’t want to step on the Gyno toes” when I requested they check my levels with a blood test. RIDICULOUS. I do not want a doctor who “ will not step on toes” smh
It’s a constant exhausting battle but our health is worth it
To find a menopause specialist, I suggest calling a local pharmacy that is a "compounding pharmacy". Go to the next town, or a nearby major city if you have to. It is worth it. Many compounding pharmacies work with menopause consultants, who then work in tandem with physicians who have a specialty in menopause. To find a compounding pharmacy, you can google it online, or call just a regular pharmacy like Walgreen's, and ask if they know of one near you.
My experience with my primary and gynecologist has been that all of my complaints, whatever they are from insomnia, thyroid nodules/cysts, weight gain, joint pain, depression, dryness, etc., have all been blamed on menopause. I am 66 and have been complaining for more than 10 years. I was given Estradiol cream to use 2x a week. Not sure if it has achieved the desired outcome. Still atrophied, still dry. They have not been willing to do anything else due to breast cancer risk, they said it is a fact of life. I am frustrated with all of my doctors.
@komiskey10 Do you carry a gene linked to breast cancer? Is there a NP near you with her own practice in menopause care + weight loss? That's the trendy business in and around Atlanta. Some women insert an Estradiol suppository then rub a compounded Estradiol/Estradiol +Testosterone/DHEA cream on externally.
Do you have a urologist? My urologist was the first person to start me on vaginal estrogen and care about my bladder pain.
@komiskey10 Do you carry a gene linked to breast cancer? Is there a NP near you with her own practice in menopause care + weight loss? That's the trendy business in and around Atlanta. Some women insert an Estradiol suppository then rub a compounded Estradiol/Estradiol +Testosterone/DHEA cream on externally.
Do you have a urologist? My urologist was the first person to start me on vaginal estrogen and care about my bladder pain.
@blueskies1530 I do not carry any cancer gene. No one in my family carries the gene, but cancer is prevalent. Lynch Syndrome is negative. Two aunts and a cousin with breast cancer. My great grandfather, great aunt, mother and a cousin with colon cancer. Two uncles with liver cancer. A cousin with pancreatic cancer.
I did go a functional medicine doctor who did all kinds of testing and put me on progesterone and a compounded cream but my gynecologist and oncologist/gynecologist were both totally against and told me I needed to stop. At this point I will be 67 and am being told I am more than 10 years post-menopause and not a candidate for anything other than estradiol cream. I do not have a urologist.
Thank you for taking the time to respond and offer suggestions.
@blueskies1530 I do not carry any cancer gene. No one in my family carries the gene, but cancer is prevalent. Lynch Syndrome is negative. Two aunts and a cousin with breast cancer. My great grandfather, great aunt, mother and a cousin with colon cancer. Two uncles with liver cancer. A cousin with pancreatic cancer.
I did go a functional medicine doctor who did all kinds of testing and put me on progesterone and a compounded cream but my gynecologist and oncologist/gynecologist were both totally against and told me I needed to stop. At this point I will be 67 and am being told I am more than 10 years post-menopause and not a candidate for anything other than estradiol cream. I do not have a urologist.
Thank you for taking the time to respond and offer suggestions.
It's hard to imagine that natural Progesterone (not synthetic progestin) plays a role in breast cancer. If it did, it'd seem like we'd be at profound risk in our childbearing years when we make loads of it on our own. Have you gone for a second or third opinion about that?
There are many vaginal moisturizers on the market. I don't think they'll help atrophy but a little daily use can ease some discomfort. I'm four months into surgical menopause and know very well that for me the genitourinary symptoms are often terrible. Finding a routine that works can take a year in my situation. Coconut oil is a go-to for me to start and end my day. My gyno just recommended trying pure mineral oil. We'll see.
A neighbor uses a naturapath. She stopped supplementing with hormones and uses herbal teas, supplements and vitamins. It seems to help her stay put together well enough that she can work.
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@komiskey10 Yes, menopause is a fact of life that we as women will experience, but I refuse to accept that we have to be uncomfortable so we must advocate for ourselves. I, personally, had to argue to get my hormone levels checked. Then again to get estrogen. It seems that it is an ongoing battle.
@komiskey10
Do you have a history of breast and/or ovarian cancer in your family or they making a statement about menopausal women in general?
“Estrogen Matters” by Avrum Bluming and Carol Tavris.
@gravity3
My great-grandmother, 2 aunts and a cousin have all had breast cancer. We have all been genetically tested. No cancer genes, but the still said I am not a candidate. Risk outweighs benefits.
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2 Reactions@marjou same here! You have to do your research and advocate for yourself. My Gyno told me to see my PCP and my PCP said” I don’t want to step on the Gyno toes” when I requested they check my levels with a blood test. RIDICULOUS. I do not want a doctor who “ will not step on toes” smh
It’s a constant exhausting battle but our health is worth it
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionTo find a menopause specialist, I suggest calling a local pharmacy that is a "compounding pharmacy". Go to the next town, or a nearby major city if you have to. It is worth it. Many compounding pharmacies work with menopause consultants, who then work in tandem with physicians who have a specialty in menopause. To find a compounding pharmacy, you can google it online, or call just a regular pharmacy like Walgreen's, and ask if they know of one near you.
Menopause.org is one resource
@komiskey10 Do you carry a gene linked to breast cancer? Is there a NP near you with her own practice in menopause care + weight loss? That's the trendy business in and around Atlanta. Some women insert an Estradiol suppository then rub a compounded Estradiol/Estradiol +Testosterone/DHEA cream on externally.
Do you have a urologist? My urologist was the first person to start me on vaginal estrogen and care about my bladder pain.
Can you switch to a different obgyn practice?
@blueskies1530 I do not carry any cancer gene. No one in my family carries the gene, but cancer is prevalent. Lynch Syndrome is negative. Two aunts and a cousin with breast cancer. My great grandfather, great aunt, mother and a cousin with colon cancer. Two uncles with liver cancer. A cousin with pancreatic cancer.
I did go a functional medicine doctor who did all kinds of testing and put me on progesterone and a compounded cream but my gynecologist and oncologist/gynecologist were both totally against and told me I needed to stop. At this point I will be 67 and am being told I am more than 10 years post-menopause and not a candidate for anything other than estradiol cream. I do not have a urologist.
Thank you for taking the time to respond and offer suggestions.
@komiskey10
It's hard to imagine that natural Progesterone (not synthetic progestin) plays a role in breast cancer. If it did, it'd seem like we'd be at profound risk in our childbearing years when we make loads of it on our own. Have you gone for a second or third opinion about that?
There are many vaginal moisturizers on the market. I don't think they'll help atrophy but a little daily use can ease some discomfort. I'm four months into surgical menopause and know very well that for me the genitourinary symptoms are often terrible. Finding a routine that works can take a year in my situation. Coconut oil is a go-to for me to start and end my day. My gyno just recommended trying pure mineral oil. We'll see.
A neighbor uses a naturapath. She stopped supplementing with hormones and uses herbal teas, supplements and vitamins. It seems to help her stay put together well enough that she can work.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
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