Women's Forum The name I chose is Annie's Place

Have your doctor test you! I didn't realize there was such a test until I was plagued with Pelvic Floor Dysfunction!!!! The physician can easily test you to see how low your hormones are and you can start with an estrogen cream, a compounded cream made specifically for your body, or a vivelle patch or numerous other routes for women to take BUT WHATEVER YOU DO, DON'T STOP THERAPY, and let your hormones get so low that you develop a condition worse than hot flashes!!!! Ladies, please read http://www.nva.org, SHOULD YOU, your daughter, niece, mature adult ever get the dreadful problem of pelvic floor pain. Everything we hear about incontinence, pelvic pain is not a part of aging. It can be hormonal, or another problem. Thanks for allowing me to post.

China, the one thing I will tell you is that anytime anyone DEMANDS from you instead of WALKING WITH YOU that is a person who will drag you down. It has taken me a long time to consider that person extra baggage. ANYONE WHO IS TRULY a friend will not expect anything from you. A true friend might encourage you to get out, but will not be upset if you don't. A true friend will want you by her side, but will not be angry if you leave. A true friend wants you happy, even if it means they are left a little sad! What you have to do is tell this friend what you expect of her if she is to be your friend. I KNOW. I have fought this battle with family and friends for 40 years and finally within the last year, I started letting go. I have let anyone go that pulls me down, hurts me, belittles me or does anything that does not help be become stronger or heal. I have not done anything in a way that I would have to apologize for my actions. With some family members, I actually explained to them how they were hurting me, and once I deleted them from Facebook, they called and left voice mails on my phone apologizing for their behavior, however it was too late for them to have me back in their lives. I WAS ALREADY FEELING GOOD ABOUT MY DECISIONS. I feel better standing up to family, my husband, my son, and friends now. I love people, I don't and won't argue, but I will discuss how I feel and what I expect in a relationship and give the person a chance to accept me or leave now. It's really not complicated at all. It took awhile to get the nerve, but being hurt all the time was so painful. I have made it clear that my pain is real and that anyone (including physicians) needs to let me know up front if they believe in me...if not...walk away...l have no time to waste on anyone. My life is a lot less complicated, because you/we/me can let others make us sick or allow others to control how we feel about ourselves. BE STRONG, take a long look at yourself, and decide you are STRONG and you can face this world and anyone in it. You can do it alone or with family or without! It is nice to have family, but family may not always be around. If you love where you are, but are only missing your mom (I lived in California without my mom for two years, had a baby that she didn't see...all of this made me stronger), go visit when you can, but see if getting out and enjoying life can make you a stronger you!!! Good luck!

Hi LizKat, please do not let anyone convince you that you "HAVE TO" have hormone replacement therapy.Humanity existed for millions of years without it. It has been known to CAUSE cancer. I never took it and I know of others who never considered it. Maybe its safer now... I honestly do not know that. But it should not be an 'automatic next step' which is what the AMA thrives on. There are natural substances, too. Google this sometime. Whatever you do, good luck to you. Just don't think any doctor speaks for God almighty.

Premarin is horse's urine.

Annie's Place sounds really nice. Wouldn't it be nice if Annie really had a place where we could all go?
Nice thought ...
Rox

I can take you there. Imagine a place filled with beautiful flowers, dancing butterflies a warm summer breeze. A gentle stream filled with waterlilies, and frogs croaking. A beautiful tall tree with leaves all different colours where we can sit and just talk, and be surrounded by peace, Know my dear friend your at Annie's Place. Hugs piglit

Thanks for the reply Trishie and I hope that the pain gets more bearable for you. I tried the patches for a while but was allergic to them. I do however know that many people do find releif which is good.

Apart from being allergic to the patch . I also had to have it removed due to the adverse reactions that it can cause clottting problems, DVT'S as i was already in this circle not recommended. Please always discuss the options with your dr first. My specialist was a great beleiver in the natural and was actaully head of the AMA when I was seeing him. He recommended the evening primrose oil capsules and this helped alot in relieving my symptons. There is a lot to be said for the natural side of things I think Piglit

You may not need to speak to your dr first and see what he suggests, Hormonal levels can increase and decrease mine did

Yup, Evening Primrose oil, and one of the Cohosh herbs is what a friend of mine used after refusing to take any of the hormone pills the doc gave to her... her post menopause symptopms lasted way longer than 'normal'...and she found excellent relief with either the Blue or Black Cohosh (even the dr had to acknowledge it! 🙂 There are a few other natural supplements, too. But like always, its everyone's choice ... not a 'right or wrong' thing. 🙂