Currently, I am suffering from premenopausal symptoms that torment me every day. It has been tormenting me for almost three months now, Every day I lose all my energy and I can't go to work, I have insomnia, I'm depressed, I have no energy left to do anything in life, I have to fight with it every day and felt so exhausted, I thought I was going to die. I cried to my gynecologist and begged her to save me during this time. After all the urine and blood tests and all the other examinations, finally my gynecologist I also said I'm in pre-menopause, Finally she decided to give me Hormone therapy (estrogen patch) and progesterone pills, I just started using it 2 days ago, I hope these will help let me get well and have my life return to normal, I really never thought that premenopausal symptoms could be so terrible.
I have some of these symptoms too, such as not being able to easily leave the house and just wanting to hide plus many more, no one talks about this, it’s all about hot flashes which I do not have. Started HRT now and I hope this will make me feel more like myself again
@@greenteenguyen4998 How are you doing currently? I could have written your post. Your journey is exactly mine as well. Menopause is profoundly difficult for some women. I know many who didn't suffer from it. They are the fortunate ones! I am surprised that I have had much improved days (and even weeks!), in this past year. Please hold hope. I was convinced I'd not feel well again in any way (ever).
@@mlbrown1068 It's true. The symptoms are so many, so complex, and so very difficult to experience. How are you doing? * reading other women's UA-cam comments (and other sites), helped me navigate this unreal challenge in life! So helpful.
So far the best explanation from someone qualified, far more simple and easy to digest than all of the other MD/ menopause experts” videos I’ve watched.. thanks for enlightening us!
My peri has been brutal, it slapped me out of nowhere last year, im 46, soon to be 47. My anxiety and deoression along with insomnia being my worst symptoms. ..brain fog too. I felt like i was dying.. was going to start HRT, now considering just taking the 100mg prometrium cyclically.... ive noticed its way worse the week before and 4-5 days into my cycle. I can barely function. I went from being super active , to just existing, i hate this! What i hate even more is how LITTLE drs know about this subject!!!! So thank you for this video!!
@Angel-qf6if Thanks for watching. So sorry that perimenopause has been so rough. Progesterone is a miracle for sleep for the vast majority of women. I’m posting another video next Tuesday about insomnia, brain fog, and progesterone. Subscribe to get notified.
@SimpleHormones what I'm confused about is why is it recommended to take progesterone day 14-28, isn't that when progesterone is the highest? Won't it make anxiety abd depression worse? Ty for your help with this, Mr dr is clueles
@@Angel-qf6if The idea of taking progesterone days 14-28 is about mimicking the normal “Luteal Phase” of the menstrual cycle. Progesterone is normally at its highest during the second half of the cycle, after ovulation around day 14. During perimenopause, ovulation starts happening sporadically and much less often, which leads to low progesterone during the luteal phase. Adding progesterone back during the second half (luteal phase) brings hormone levels closer to what they were before perimenopause. For most women, that helps with mood issues, anxiety, and sleep.
@@Angel-qf6if If insomnia is a problem for the whole month and not just days 14-28, some providers will have you take progesterone every night. Neither approach is right or wrong. Progesterone is a very safe hormone and most (but not all) women do great with it.
@SimpleHormones I was worried about overloading my progesterone, seeing I still have my periods. They seem to come a few days later each month, but they're still there... thank you for replying😊
I tried so hard to find out exactly what was happening to me. I knew for sure it was a hormonal imbalance due to my symptoms but after reading so many books, looking at youtube videos etc I could not find anywhere a simple and clear explanation what happens to womens hormones in their mid 40s. Everyone has so many suggestions but before deciding what to do about it I really needed to understand what exactly is happening at this age. I also keept wondering what happens to the hormones after menopause since nobody talks about that, I even even wondered if the imbalance was going to last for ever. I cannot thank you enough. Do you have any places you would recommend in Los Angeles? Thanks again for giving me hope and clarity and for the awesome graphs.
Cecilia - thanks for the comment. I’m glad this video has been helpful. No guarantee but I may know some providers near you who have a lot of experience with perimenopause. Send an email to contact@simplehormones.com with your ZIP code and the name of the town where you live. I’ll check my database to see who I can recommend. I know hundreds of hormone optimization physicians, nurse practitioners, and PAs all over the US. Quite a few I know personally and others by reputation.
This video was so clearly explained- thank you. So many resources give the impression it will be very difficult to get treatment and that finding the right treatments isn’t well understood. This video gives me hope and confidence that YES there are well understood treatments available. Great video
I feel like there's just not very good information on menopause at all. I feel like I should be doing something or taking something. But broaching the subject with other women my age it's like your hushed. This is definitely the most easy to digest UA-cam video on the topic that I was able to find.
Wow! I am thankful to have found this video. Great information! I’m in the peri menopause stage and trying to learn and understand what is happening to my body! I will be subscribing to this channel and listening to your videos! I will check out your website also! Thank you!
Saniya - So sorry you've had to face early menopause. Hysterectomy is a difficult thing both physically and emotionally. I've been planning to create some videos about that topic. Thanks for watching.
This information was such a huge help. I'm on BHRT for both estradiol and progesterone. But DUTCH Complete results show I'm Estrogen dominant, have "bad estrogen", very low progesterone, very low DHEA, and extremely low testosterone. I was advised to keep up with estradiol, try 2 weeks on 2 weeks off, add DIM Detox and 25 mg DHEA. Progesterone was increased to 150 mg orally (to help with sleep as I was barely on the chart for melatonin). I've been wondering what the point of even using E2 and E3 is if I'm already close to off to off chart (E1 is high too)? It makes more sense to me to continue with the DIM Detox, leave progesterone where it was at 75 mg orally, OR drop the progesterone to try Chaste Tree Berry or pregnenolone. Doesn't pregnenolone help increase progesterone, DHEA and testosterone? It also appears that my body may not be processing/detoxing properly.
Stephanie - Hey thanks for watching! From what you’re describing, it looks like your doctor is on the right track. I like the DUTCH test a lot. DIM is a great option if DUTCH shows you’re metabolizing estradiol down the wrong way. More progesterone is a great call and ORAL progesterone is best. My only concern is that you’re taking estradiol and may not need it. You didn’t say whether you’re in perimenopause (still menstruating) but I would assume you are because your levels are high. The providers I work with will generally steer away from estradiol before menopause for exactly what you’re experiencing.
@@SimpleHormones Thanks Steve! Correct, I'm perimenopause! This is all relatively new to me. I started having hot flashes that suddenly increased to multiple times a day and night last fall at age 46. PMS, which was new to me, had been increasing for a year or more before that. Then irregular or even skipped periods. And the mood swings and insomnia. Dr kept telling me I'm too young to have these issues, I'm still "technically" within normal ranges for cycle schedule, and the best they could do was put me on the pill, or I could try a Naturopath. I decided I'd try to figure it out on my own and find a Naturopath. I started off taking Amberen Peri which actually worked for hot flashes and helped with pms/irregular cycle, but I learned it has MSG and wasn't sure how I felt about that long term. Then tried Estroven Peri with black cohosh and soy isoflavones, which stopped the hot flashes too, but I couldn't get past the idea of soy isoflavones long term either. I was still suffering from insomnia mood swings and fatigue also. I was under A LOT of stress in my personal life too. Then starting in Jan I went through a series of crisis back to back that pushed me over the edge. My system crashed. Major fatigue, insomnia, then crash and sleep up to 15 hrs and still not feel rested, then back to insomnia. Lack of appetite. Major brain fog, irritability, short fuse, zero tolerance for people, drama, noise....the list goes on. I believed it was extreme adrenal fatigue. When I finally got in to see a Naturopath I was in such bad shape I literally could not fill out the intake forms because I could. not. think. I was embarrassed and an emotional wreck. Turns out I had a fever and low blood pressure too. Which had actually been going on for me off and on for 2-3 years already. I had no idea at that point that I had a fever. She usually tests first, but I was in such distress and in need of immediate intervention so she prescribed vag Estradiol and oral progesterone through a compounding pharmacy, and sent me home with Endocrine, B-vitamins, multivitamin, and the magnesium for the brain, can't remember what it's called ironically. Since then I've had the DUTCH Complete test done (as I mentioned previously) which was really confusing to me since it shows my cortisol is pretty normal, but my system leans towards cortisone. I have no idea what all that means even after watching the videos on Precision Analytics explaining it. I'm stuck on the idea I'm suffering from adrenal fatigue because I have so many of the symptoms; fatigue, insomnia, depression, irritability, easily overwhelmed by simple things, muscle weakness, shortness of breathe, a kind of gasping for air I've adopted through out the day, "heavy" legs, weak arms, lower/middle back pain, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, get full quick, I've lost 15 lbs that I did not need to lose (normally 135 down to 115, I'm 5'7), low blood pressure, light headed upon standing, my pupils pulse within 2 seconds of light test and can't hold steady at all during 1 minute test, the skin stays white for 20-30 seconds before turning red (if it does at all) doing the scratch test multiple times, can't hold breath longer than 29 sec. But my free cortisol and cortisone are in normal range. I don't get it. So the most obvious issue to me is what I mentioned in my previous message. High Estrogen, and continuing to use estradiol. It just doesn't make sense to me. Sorry I geeked out on this. I'm just anxious to get to the bottom of this and really grateful to find you. Thank you for you sharing your knowledge and expertise on this topic. I've been hearing some scary things about using even micronized hormones and it got me searching for the truth, while wondering if I should stop using it and try herbs and supplements instead. I've signed up to your email list on your website, thank you for taking the time to chat with me.
Bioidentical hormones are worthless for anything but preventing hot flashes. You need to learn a lot more. These people are happily taking your money and keeping you confused and distracted with worthless lab tests. How do you feel? Are you functioning? That is what matters.
I noticed my symptoms around my late 50s I have no night sweats no hot flashes. In my mid 40 my libido was low . Mid to late 50 really low when I hit 56 /57 my mental health was crazy. Anxiety depression off the charts. So now I just started HRT and I just turned 60 in November. Do you think HRT is safe for me . 🤷🏻♀️
I am sure that what the pharmaceutical that makes the Mirena IUD has figureed out how much progestin average/optimum dose it releases for majority of women. Can there be cases of insufficient dose and patients might need to supplement with bit more progesterone/progestin to get that happy average? Especially in periM stage in life.
I'm 46 years old, not experiencing any mood swings, I still have regular periods but noticed that they have been much lighter. I had a miscarriage in 2016' and haven't been able to conceive since then. What meds along with colomid should I ask my OBGYN for?
Wow thanks for asking. That’s definitely a tough situation. I’m so sorry to hear about your miscarriage and those 4+ years probably have been difficult as well. It’s possible you may have issues related to PCOS, but regular periods may not fit with that. I might suggest you try to find someone with experience in patients with PCOS and infertility who can do a complete hormone lab panel and help you find out if you’re ovulating consistently. That would be the first place to start. Clomid can be helpful in encouraging ovulation but it’s also important to look for the root problem.
I'm 50 and experiencing really bad sweats at night and hot flushes during the days. My moods are all over the place. My aunt passed away from breast cancer, I'm unsure and nervous of taking HRT. Have you any advice I'd really appreciate it
Having a relative who has had breast cancer is very sad. It's understandable if that makes you nervous about hormone replacement. But the right hormones, given in the right doses, can actually reduce your risk for breast cancer. It's important to see a hormone optimization specialist about those issues. Watch my other UA-cam video here ua-cam.com/video/ImQxgAPSf1s/v-deo.html
I'm 51. I still take birth control pills and have regular, but very light, periods. I don't notice a lot of the other symptoms here except maybe vaginal dryness. I believe I'm in perimenopause. I'll see my doctor fir my annual exam at the end of October. What should i be asking her?
@gabrielleperson4794 Thanks for watching. I have a resource specifically designed to help you have an honest conversation with your doctor. Send me an email and let me know how it goes. contact@simplehormones.com www.simplehormones.com/hrt-questions/ Good luck!
Adria - thanks for watching, Progesterone is usually given cyclically in women before they go into menopause. The normal female cycle has high progesterone in the second half (called the luteal phase) and low progesterone in the first half (the follicular phase). It’s best to keep women going on that same cycle, although exactly how and the specific doses would depend on your blood tests and your doctor’s assessment.
I have regular cycle of 28 days but actual period decreased from 5 to 1 -1.5 days for a year and having a lot of other peri symptoms. Does this still mean I need progesterone or estradiol?
If you're still having menstrual cycles, that indicates you're in perimenopause. Perimenopause is a time when progesterone can be useful to help with mood swings, depression, anxiety, sleep issues. Estradiol MAY be necessary, but that's going to be very high one day and very low the next. Wide swings in estradiol make it tricky to take in perimenopause - too unpredictable. Not impossible, but very tricky.
Great question. Most women in perimenopause (still having periods) should usually be on a cyclical progesterone. That's definitely not 100% though. there are situations where a doctor might want you on a continuous progesterone to help relieve symptoms all the time, with no week off. It's something and experienced hormone provider knows how to deal with.
Thank you so much for responding to my question. I listened to this video today again and I’m wondering, could high estrogen and low progesterone levels make me kinda anxious restless and unmotivated?
For me I was just taking progesterone cyclically but only felt better around days five to 10 and I felt like crap in between those times. So my gyn had me start taking estradiol the rest of the month and it still didn’t seem to do much, but I staring bleed exactly two weeks later, so she is letting me take both together to see what happens
Most doctors will give you medroxyprogesterone for bleeding issues, which isn't the same as progesterone. That may be OK in the short term, but probably not a good long-term solution.
The 2 most common progesterone side effects are drowsiness and nausea. Taking progesterone at night helps with sleep and for most people, the drowsiness or nausea is gone by the morning. There are extremely rare cases where progesterone increases anxiety and/or depression but 99% of women experience DRAMATIC DECREASES in BOTH those symptoms when their progesterone levels are optimized. I haven't read or heard anything about loss of appetite, which is extremely complicated and can be the result of many different factors..
Hi Steve, my DuTcH test came back as such low oestrogen they couldn’t tell me which pathways it goes down, DhEa also low, testosterone was at about 30% on the scale. I’m only 40 but have all the symptoms of peri menopause especially low oestrogen symptoms.
MsIronPhoenix - Thanks so much for watching. That must be hard to start thinking about menopause or even perimenopause that early in life. I'm so sorry you're having those symptoms. I'm assuming since you've had a DUTCH Test (DUTCH stands for Dried urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones for viewers who haven't heard of it) that you have a hormone provider of some sort. Your situation might be a bit tricky, especially with very low estrogen levels. Usually, estrogen is up and down all the time in perimenopause, as I mention in the video, so it's not always possible to prescribe estrogen (like estradiol) to perimenopausal women. That's a call your provider would need to carefully evaluate. It might be important in your case to look at 1. progesterone levels 2. FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) levels that show your menopause status and (most importantly) 3. regularity of menstrual periods. I'd suggest you talk more with your provider.
By the way - I'm a big fan of the DUTCH Test and I spent an hour or so in McMinnville, OR with Mark Newman, the biochemist who developed it along with the CEO who runs the company. DUTCH is a great tool to look closely at the metabolism of hormones and to see exactly what's going on with them. I don't think it's a necessary expense for every patient, but I recommend it for patients who, for whatever reason, have some specific issues with hormones that their provider has trouble figuring out.
That's a situation that calls for help from a qualified hormone specialist. There is something called premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) or premature ovarian failure (POF) that happens in younger women, under 40 or so. It's basically very early menopause but there can be serious underlying causes that need to be checked out.
If you're interested in finding a hormone specialist, somebody who really knows how to manage all your hormone issues and get you to optimal levels, is to visit this page on my website and fill out my Patient Referral Request Form here simplehormones.com/referral If you leave a referral request on UA-cam or email it to me, it's extremely likely I'll drop the ball or it will fall through the cracks. Once you fill out the form, be sure to check your email for a message that says "Confirm your email address." Thanks!
@@SimpleHormones ok I have been working with a hormone therapist recently and both were really low. I have been feeling crappy for several years, I just barely turned 40, and my regular dr just tells me to eat less exercise more and get more sleep! Oh really no kidding!! My new dr she has me doing bhrt but I don’t know what would have caused them to be so low. My fsh and lh were on the lower side. But she keeps telling me I am not premenopausal? I just wonder if I should have other test for other health conditions.
Wow! This is such great information. These gynecologists are so uneducated about helping patients with menopause. They are clueless. They don't get any education about it in med school. I've learned a lot on my own from doctors online who specialize in women's hormones.Because of what I learned, I literally told my doctor that I need micronoized progesterone oral caps at 100 mg. I'm 52 and still cycling regularly but have had insomnia and brain fog. Plus super heavy cycles. All indicators of low progesterone. I'm following you because you know what you are talking about. Keep up the great work. Plus women need to know that bone loss will happen if they don't replace their estrogen in menopause. Exercise and diet are not enough. Bone density is very dependent on estrogen!
Wow! You are absolutely right that . . . "women need to know that bone loss will happen if they don't replace their estrogen . . . Exercise and diet are not enough." That makes me think about making a video specifically about osteoporosis. Thanks!
Also, good for you for asking for progesterone. It's the single most effective treatment for menopausal (or perimenopausal) insomnia and brain fog. I'm 100% convinced that brain fog is rooted in sleep deprivation. There may be other brain issues going on, which progesterone will also help, but sleep is the biggest problem.
One more thing. I know some amazing OB/GYNs, 1 in St. Louis, 1 in Oklahoma, 1 in Ohio, and 1 in Florida who aren’t at all clueless about hormone optimization. There are good ones out there who have been well-trained.
@@SimpleHormones Thank you for your replies. I live in Las Vegas and I've been to 3 different gynos in the last 6 years and have either gotten wrong information or no information. There is a retired gynecologist here on UA-cam, Menopause Taylor, who offers consults. I've learned so much from her. People like you and her are literally saving women from a low quality of life. It's a topic that has been overlooked and women are suffering when they don't have to be.
@@SimpleHormones where do I get bio identical estradiol patches? And testosterone cream or patches…My family doc is super nice , he can write me a prescription and I can find a compounding pharmacy….but he needs to know what prescription to write…I orders bio identical progesterone spray from dr in the states…
Perimenopause and menopause totally sucks for many women. Don't put off seeking help if you become uncomfortable because it only gets worse from there on.
I started perimenopause symptoms at 35. Im almost 38 now and started progesterone 8 months ago and testosterone 2 months ago. Both are helping so much!
Hello,Doctor Interesting information I started my HRT at the time of my Peri Menopause aged 39 It is marvelous No regrets No side effects New Subscriber here from Amman Jordan Middle East
Elizabeth - Thanks for watching. So glad you’re doing well with your hormones. That’s exactly the story I’m trying to tell: “Optimal hormones will help you feel like yourself again, eliminate your symptoms, and protect you from long-term health risks. There’s no need to be afraid of hormones - your body has made them for decades and still needs them.”
You are extremely lucky because I am 45 and I am going through perimenopause and I feel like nobody is listening to me. I have not found any information about taking hrt during perimenopause and I don't know what to do?
I was told I was too young to be in peri menopause. 3 different doctors completely shrug off all my symptoms just because of my age (39) So frustrating!
This did NOT match my experience. Taking Progesterone alone did NOTHING for my hot flashes...which seem to be caused by low estrogen no? and made me so fatigued and depressed I questioned whether that quality of life was worth living. It was horrible. I added testosterone and that gave me enough of a little boost to make it possible to live, but only adding estrogen really helped to where I could feel stable and have access to happiness. That is my experience. And yes, in perimenopause my estrogen was not stable...it was up and down, but its wayyy more tolerable to have occasional high estrogen symptoms than low ones. I mean look at the list. The main thing that makes womens quality of life tank is the damn hot flashes. not to mention the rest. I did not get many high symptoms. No breast tenderness (which is not a big deal anyway) I think I got like a couple headaches...no big deal I took pain killers and waited it out. I personally find since it is the estrogen tanking that causes the most negative impact to quality of life, that is the important one to replace. Of course it makes sense to add the other two too for various reasons. But I would not leave the estrogen out. Its the most important IMO
According to other menopausal experts who are actual medical doctors or gynecologists you are correct. Menopause Barbie is my favorite. I took HRT that included estrogen during peri-menopause and it really helped me. I thought I was loosing my mind and even started on depression meds before I found out my hormones were all over the place. After starting HRT life when back to normal until a few years later when I was diagnosed with Graves disease. I'm so glad I was already on HRT because I could have suffered some severe bone loss due to Graves but HRT helped slow that down. Anyhow I'm in remission for Graves and hoping to stay that way. I'm staying on HRT as long as possible too. I would prefer to not get osteoporosis, heart disease, and Alzheimer's, All are high risk diseases one could get from estrogen deficiency.
Hello! If your periods are no longer regular or you missed periods altogether, how do you know when to take the progesterone since you won’t know when day 14 to 28 is? At that point is it suggested to take it every day? Thank you!
So useful. I haven't found anything as comprehensive on the fluctuation of hormones in perimenopause. The graphs really help to understand precisely the changes that are happening. Thanks so much. I'd really be interested to see a graph of the hormone changes during a month. I only get hit with issues of perimenopause when my period is due but doesn't actually appear - all other days of the month I'm completely fine with only very very minor signs of perimenopause.
Very grateful for having your expertise available on UA-cam. You explain perimenopause so well and I really appreciate the way in which you explain the use of HRT as well as its benefits. I am particularly interested on more information on the use of HRT for women like me who have been diagnosed with stage 4 Endometriosis in 2010 when I had a laparoscopy. I had big part of my adhesions removed. Now at 53 and going through perimenopause I would like to consider taking HRT. I have had all kinds of perimenopause symptoms which have been managed to some extend with supplements and herbs however, I feel it could be beneficial to start taking HRT. Any suggestions on HRT for women with Endometriosis and how to approach my GP on my upcoming appointment on Oct. 12. Thank you so much for the great job you are doing!
Yes it snuck up on me at 50 and I literally thought I needed to be in a white padded room. Now that I know what's going on with my body, it's easier to deal with, however the mood swings, insomnia, brain fog, and hot flashes are my personal challenges. Thanks for the video!
You’re welcome! Thanks for the comment. Here’s another video that talks more specifically about menopause symptoms and the best way to treat them. ua-cam.com/video/HZCd1gD0HrI/v-deo.html
Horrendous insomnia, no memory, utter exhaustion, and moods I’ve never had previously is my challenge (HELL?) as well. Who knew it could possibly be this awful.
My peri slapped hard at age 38. And many woman actually start from age 35 in our online community. Many of us find relieve from natural usp progesterone as per Dr John Lee.
How desperately unfortunate that progesterone (even the micronized “bio” Prometrium), doesn’t help some of us. Zero help with my severe insomnia and causes depression I never had previously. Menopause has dismantled my entire life. COMPLETELY. I’ve had 53 years of difficulty in my female body. But lots of women do right? But never ever did I think that sleeping 30-60 minutes PER night for 6+ years would be my fate. Yes, it causes me hallucinating regularly. After seeing 24 doctors, endocrinologists, and even Cleveland Clinic and Harvard trained menopause specialists, I’ve given up. I use full hormone replacement therapy ( it helps me be 2% better…sometimes). I say all this so someone out there may know she’s not alone if her menopause is the top 10% of severely debilitating.
@@Aurla-R2-D2 Thanks for asking! Thoughtful! ☺️ I'm actually doing better, but in a totally different way. Really hard to explain what I mean by that. I think my experience with menopause really rewired my brain, and gave me a totally different body and physiology. I don't recall how I used to feel.
@@Aurla-R2-D2 And I am getting some amount of sleep....extreme insomnia is something that truly is a torture for all who experience it. It's mind blowing how much suffering it causes so many people.
@@pilarboutte392 ~ I'm so glad to hear that you are doing better now! Thank goodness! What did you do to improve your sleep / hormones and health? I'm 47, and I've had incredibly severe insomnia every night, ever since I was about 2 years old. I can barely function at all. I'm terrified that my insomnia will worsen as my hormones drop.
1:19 my symptoms: 20 lb weight gain in six months without diet or exercise change, anxiety, depression, adrenal surges, insomnia, hair loss, itchy skin, water retention even though I’m well hydrated, flat stomach to poochy stomach, nausea, sore boobs for weeks, acne at 49. I have ovaries but no uterus so I don’t know if I need estradiol only or progesterone or what. I was prescribed both but I’m not feeling better. I hope you have answers in your video 😢 2:15 Night sweats and feeling like I’m being cooked in a microwave. I forgot about those. I weighed 125lb in March and it’s Sept and I’m 148lb
@@SoCalRegisteredNurse Ok, you've described my experience EXACTLY. You have sisters in arms. And you have many of us out there who empathize wholly. Only detail compared to my symptoms is, I gained 60 lbs in 5 months. Please hold on to hope. This journey can eventually do a huge shift and majorly improve. * progesterone of no help in my case (protects my uterus only) estradiol and TESTOSTERONE....absolutely.
@@pilarboutte392 I’m fortunate that my testosterone is pretty steady. I have almost no progesterone (0.1 from LabCorp). With the 0.05mg estradiol patch my level is in the 30s so I asked to go up to 0.075mg patch. I’m lifting weights four times a week and I’m starting to see very slow progress, but it’s progress. I wish my mom talked to me about this crud. I had no idea what was happening to me. I tell my daughter all about it so she won’t feel like she’s losing her mind.
I love your videos, but premenopause is not the same as perimenopause. Premenopause is the time between a woman's first period and the onset of perimenopause. Perimenopause is the transition phase into menopause. Also, almost all menopause specialists explain that it's pointless to test a woman's hormone levels during perimenopause because the levels are fluctuating so hugely and so frequently. All best wishes
I recently came upon a Hormone video that explained Pre Peri -Post menopause terms. Pre: Puberty to Peri. Peri: start of menopausal symptoms to end of 12 months of no cycle. Menopause: Day of the 12th month of no periods (just 1 day) Post menopause: Ever After 12 months of no period. Sorry can’t remember by whom the video was.
I am a board certified gynecologist and I really enjoy your videos. I am a huge fan of progesterone in the perimenopause since so many women have sleep and anxiety issues in perimenopause. However, you mention the large fluctuations in estradiol and progesterone, and yet you also recommend serum testing. I discourage testing with a few exceptions, because testing at one point in time, or even a few points in the cycle, does not accurately reflect the whole picture. I would be interested in when you recommend testing--day 3? Day 21? Also, despite estrogen dominance, I often find that adding estradiol can help with vasomotor symptoms in perimenopause, but I would love to know your thoughts on which dosage is high enough to suppress endogenous estradiol. Thank you for making these videos!
Hi hope you don’t mind I ask you about progesterone I tried utrogestan 200 vaginally and rectally and was always very bloated to the point I couldn’t sleep and wanted to ask you which type of progesterone will I be able to tolerate and thank you 🙏
Since estrogen is typically the highest at day 12 to 13 of the menstrual cycle in premenopausal women-wouldn’t it make sense to start there as baseline? If it’s showing lower levels than baseline on an annual test, then couldn’t it help the doctor know that a patient is moving into perimenopause? (Pre-menopausal and PERI-menopausal are different phases from what I’ve read)
I just stumbled across your video and like other people am so encouraged by how thorough yet easy to understand this presentation is. Hormones have always been such a mystery to me. I will be 51 next week and I have been wondering why I am so absolutely EXHAUSTED all the time. I don't believe I sleep well I do toss and turn a lot. I am reaching out on the off chance you might know someone good in the central CA area I can seek for guidance about my hormones? My Dr. ignores everything I say and it's incredibly frustrating which is why I hardly ever go. I just want motivation back and to have some energy again. I appreciate any help you can offer. Please keep these videos coming. I'm so grateful I can have more understanding about what's happening to me. I too have felt like I'm losing it. Thank you again.
The best way to find a hormone specialist, somebody who really knows how to manage all your hormone issues and get you to optimal levels, is to visit this page on my website and fill out my Patient Referral Request Form here simplehormones.com/referral If you leave a referral request on UA-cam or email it to me, it's extremely likely I'll drop the ball or it will fall through the cracks. Once you fill out the form, be sure to check your email for a message that says "Confirm your email address." Thanks!
Thank you very much for your work! Best explanation I have found so far for what’s going on with hormones around the perimenopause time. Simple and to the point.
This is so detailed and helpful! I think every woman needs to know this information because we all eventually go through this. I’m sharing with my friends! 😊
This was great! Any tips for women in late thirties goes through much longer periods between cycles and hot flashes? Seems young, maybe POI. Have you don’t on this? Premature menopause is increasingly common
This is the best talk I have seen. You go right to the point. I love the graphs as they help one visualize the hormone patterns. One comment I can add is some women have stated that they felt even better when they had a little bit of testosterone added to their HRT. I presume that can go a bit too low as well but many women are not tested for low testosterone.
Absolutely true! Testosterone is definitely one of the hormones women need to have optimized. It helps with libido, muscle strength, fatigue, and helps prevent or reverse osteoporosis.
DHEA is another hormone that I recommend you optimize using an OTC oral capsule. DHEA in a vaginal cream form has been shown to be effective at relieving vaginal dryness and painful intimacy due to menopause. My experience with DHEA as a transdermal cream is that it's pretty difficult for pharmacies to compound and it's not very well absorbed through the skin. I would NOT recommend the cream, except for vaginal use. My experience and the studies are mixed about DHEA increasing libido or testosterone. The vaginal cream supposedly has some ability to increase libido, but the oral capsules don't. DHEA could theoretically increase testosterone, since they're chemically quite close to each other. But sadly, it doesn't seem to work very well at raising testosterone.
I have just turned 50, and my symptoms are bad sleep, low libido, irritability, brain fog, dry eyes, while still having periods ( less flow and shorter) . I have just started 0.5 estradiol transdermal gel 7 days ago, and I am bleeding since day 2. Does this mean I do not need estradiol yet, or is this normal? Not getting too much help from the prescribing doctor, so will see another doctor next week.
Thanks for a great info. Do yo know what causes sudden explosion on facial hair growth (it's soft, blonde but still, it came out of blue)? I checked my hormones and they all seem to be on a lower side except DHEA at 327. I was on DIM for at least two years due to really bad symptoms of estrogen dominance. My Dr. said to just start using progesterone cream but I am not sure that will fix the issues with facial hair. Thank you!
DHEA can increase hair growth in women and 327 is a little high. The most common cause of unwanted hair growth in women under 50 is insulin resistance, which increases testosterone levels.
Thanks for the great explanation. I'm sure I'm in the late stage of perimenopause but have all the symptoms of menopause it seems. Do you know a center in the Northern VA area?
The best way to find a hormone specialist, somebody who really knows how to manage all your hormone issues and get you to optimal levels, is to visit this page on my website and fill out my Patient Referral Request Form here simplehormones.com/referral If you leave a referral request on UA-cam or email it to me, it's extremely likely I'll drop the ball or it will fall through the cracks. Once you fill out the form, be sure to check your email for a message that says "Confirm your email address." Thanks!
Unfortunately, that's not uncommon. A lot of doctors just say, "Get over it." I'm trying to steer women in menopause toward healthcare providers who not only care, but who also know exactly what to do to help you.
This is so well articulated and easy to follow, thank you! My functional Med doc has put me on oral progesterone to help with frequent bleeding (every 2 weeks) but it’s been about a year and I still don’t see any improvement. I want to see this work but it doesn’t seem likely. My obgyn just said maybe try going off the progesterone to see if it improves. He said there are some changes in the uterine cells based on biopsy and maybe that is caused by the progesterone? I’m so confused cause 1st he said maybe I need to go on progesterone to fix the issue then when I told him I have been on it for that very purpose he said maybe go off. He suggested an IUD but I’ve had 2 before and didn’t love them plus no longer need for the birth control piece. I’m almost 45 but have been dealing with these frequent periods, along with all the cramps, breast tenderness, for about 18months or so. Love how well I sleep on the progesterone but as of now I’m supposed to stop taking it as soon as I see blood so I only end up getting to take it every other week. So appreciate you’re wisdom and generous gift of time!
@Kate Bruno I have been having the same issue. For about 6 months my cycle starts every 21 days and once after 13 days. My doc put me on bio identical progesterone from a compounding pharmacy. So far it’s kind of working after only 30 days no period. I’m on 200mg a night plus a 25mg cream during the day. Which progesterone were you prescribed?
@@muse3241 very good to hear you've had some success! I don't think the one I am on is compounded as I get it from CVS and she has me taking 800mg per night 24 hours after last blood (so literally as soon as my period stops) each night. I tried a cream for a while in conjunction cause she thought maybe my gut was having malabsorption of the pills but that didn't change anything for me.
Sounds like perimenopause for sure. If you're in the US or Canada, I would recommend looking for a perimenopause specialist who knows how to manage those hormones and get them optimized. simplehormones.com/referral
Symptoms vary widely between individuals and between different ethnic groups. The perimenopause period is 4-6 years (or more) before menopause. Menopause is the day that’s 1 year after your last menstrual period. After menopause some symptoms, like hot flashes, last 4-12 years, depending on your ethnicity. Other symptoms, like vaginal dryness, painful intimacy, and urinary incontinence, never go away and usually get worse over time.
Great simple explanation so far. I learnt a lot watching your videos than actually seeing specialists in Australia. I am not sure if we have any hormone optimisation specialist in Australia. Would it be another title for them, such us endocrinologist?
The best way to find a hormone specialist, somebody who really knows how to manage all your hormone issues and get you to optimal levels, is to visit this page on my website and fill out my Patient Referral Request Form here simplehormones.com/referral If you leave a referral request on UA-cam or email it to me, it's extremely likely I'll drop the ball or it will fall through the cracks. Once you fill out the form, be sure to check your email for a message that says "Confirm your email address." Thanks!
I just started taking Estroiol and Progesterone and I have Cystic Fibrosis diabetes. I lift heavy weights 5x a week and do daily walks and 5x a week of moderate intensity cardio workouts as well. I follow a strict diet of 120 high quality carbs, 125 protein, and 65 of fat daily and track macros. Unfortunately in this week since starting my low dose HRT my blood sugars have been quite high and my sensitive to carbs is terrible. Is this common? Will it level out? Any recommendations as to what to do?
Depends on what you consider as fully working. The sleep effects can start pretty soon, within a few days. It's possible to have bleeding issues arise later on, after a few weeks. Don't be surprised if 100MG isn't quite enough. Many women end up needing more.
You explained this very good .. Now I know why I been struggling for the past few years.. I cant swallow pills is there any options for people who can't swallow pills? And what about if I couldn't take birth controls cause they all made me not feel well evwn the lower dose ones.. Will I be able to take HRT?
I used to used DIM, now I’m in estradiol 0.1 mg/progesterone 200 mg. I’m still in perimenopause, can I continue using DIM, since the fluctuations on estrogen?
I’m 42 with a lot of symptoms! I thought I was becoming bipolar. 2 weeks leading up to my period are horrible!! Anxiety attacks, nausea, insomnia, crying spells, stomach problems, dizziness, blurry vision, smell heightened, ringing in my ears. My dr prescribed me 200mgs of progesterone to take the weeks before my period. I’m scared thats way too high of an amount. I already feel so nuts I don’t want to feel any worse. Any suggestions? Is that a high dose?
Amazing!!!!!! POrtugal here! I´m taking recently progesteron bio! I´d like to know that sooner, i´m 52 and suufer with endometriosis, and last week i went to the gino and she wants to prescribe Ac, because she said i´m not in menopause! And leveles were ok..no they weren`t ! Thank you!!
For the last two years, I have been using bio-identical HRT treatment. Now, my thyroid TSH level is high. Do I need to increase my armor thyroid? Please help me out?
I’m post menopause and symptoms that I have is again weighed around belly and itchy like crazy. So intense and have tried many things like, cream, histamine 100 mg( by drs.) and fewer vitamins and doesn’t seem to help. What can I do. Thank you
Anyone in Canada Niagara Falls area? My gynaecologist isn’t testing proper only prescribing estrogen and progesterone Bhrt so estrogel and prometrium. That’s it
Steve, I was just reading that ovaries produce hormones other than estrogen and progesterone. That being the case, why would I want to have them removed, albeit some like to think that ovarian cancer is a risk after having endometrial cancer. But, if it is only grade 1, isn't the cancer removed at the time of the hysterectomy? Also, one hospital on UA-cam is saying that endometrial cancer is most likely to return within the first three years of having a hysterectomy. What's the scoop? Please would you be kind enough to elaborate Steve? I am starting to find conflicting answers, and trust your information, because I have concluded that not everyone is so well versed, even if they happen to be doctors.
Thank you so much doctor you have answered my theory , I am56 still peri menopausal yep lol , periods are now every 3 to 4 months apart ,, I have gad fibro cystic breast syndrome for years , I started to her hot flashes so my doctor put me on estrogen and progesterone but the estrogen makes my flashes worse 7 a night and 8 a day yes I know phew ,, I really think I’m estrogen dominance,, I’ll ask for my hormones to be tested
There is no such thing as astro dominance. The filt in your body has to get out..your gut or liver aren't working well to get all the poison that we get in or body's out!..look up fFelice Gersh on this topic of misunderstanding astrogen dominance
Hi Dr Im 47 years old female athlete, My gynecologists did put me on Angelique Hrt 2 tablets a day, After my blood work I was diagnosed with low level of progesterone and estrogen just need to know your opinion on this. Thanks
Hello, im 42 and have regular periods my whole life. 3 months ago I started having hot flashes and missed 3 periods as well. Still haven't started. Previously, my periods were becoming irregular. I would sometimes have 2 periods in 1 month. I saw my gyn and had biopsy, and ultrasounds. Everything was perfect. I've been vegan for 13 years and eat very healthy and am at a healthy weight. I fear HRT as i.wpuld like to transition naturally. However, I'm concerned of negative diseases due to lack of estrogen. I would really appreciate your opinion. Thank you kindly 🙂
Sounds like your ovaries are starting to sputter and produce less estradiol. You’re a little young for that but it’s definitely not unusual. I would tell you not to be afraid of HRT as long as you get the right hormones at just right levels. That’s the very best way to transition “naturally.” It’s also the best way to protect yourself from long-term health risks, like diabetes, osteoporosis. Alzheimer’s, and heart disease.
@Simple Hormones ok thank you! I will say around that time I started Intermittent fasting for health and still am. I wonder if this could play a part as well? I eat low fat whole food plant based diet and exercise on power plate (vibration therapy), which is also great for bone density.
Being vegan doesn’t mean you’re healthier. And 42 is young to start skipping periods. I’m 45, eat 80-100 grams of animal protein daily and still and have always had a regular period. I would carefully consider whether being vegan might be the reason you’re already skipping periods.
Help Steve, my Gyn, told me that after having a hysterectomy, I will not need to take progesterone anymore. How will I be supposed to sleep? For decades, I have been unable to sleep for more than two or three hours at a stretch, so being able to sleep after taking oral progesterone, was truly heavenly. Now I have a Merina IUD, which is obviously going to be tossed out with the 'bath water' when my uterus disappears. Now what? What did I do before I found your site? Coming here is so helpful and informative!
I'm on the pill (Zoely) in continue to manage PMS due to PCO (Not PCOS). I wouldn't know if my periods were irregular because I skip the period stage. I might have started pre-menopause before taking the pill in continue. The pill removes the PMS symptoms but I still feel some pre-menopause symptoms (brain fog, tired, poor sleep, mood down, dryness...). How is the pill helping or aggravating my pre-menopause symptoms? Thanks
I'm 39 and recently placed on E2/Progesterone cream therapy. I feel much more energized but my periods and PMS seem to be exacerbated. Terrible breast pain, cramping, and nausea.
Hello, please can you tell me how long does it take for the estriol cream to be absorbed into the skin after application. I ask because I have started using bio-identical estriol cream but it seems so much greasier than my bio-identical progesterone cream. I am using them both because I had a total hysterectomy when I was 32 and I am now 65. Then I was put on oestrogen only and it wasn’t bio-identical. My life was destroyed by being castrated. I asked was there any other treatment I could have for my endometriosis and cystic ovaries and the surgeon said “no”. I only discovered a few years ago that I could have been treated with hormone therapy after reading Dr John R Lee’s books. Thank you.
Thank you Sir for the educational video. Following my DUTCH test, I've learned I'm low estrogen, ok with rest of hormones. I'm 48 with clockwork 25 day cycle, no hot flashes, but do experience recent weight gain in the belly, bloating, mood swings and brain fog. Not sure if I should take bio identical estrogen/ progesterone, or try natural approaches first? So scared as I'm so sensitive to hormones! Cholesterol, thyroid, blood sugars all normal.
Sounds like you're in pretty good shape for the moment. Most of the providers I work with (just talked to one an hour ago) are hesitant to prescribe estradiol before a woman is fully in menopause. As long as you're still having regular cycles, you can probably wait it out until you've gone 1 full year without one. Then a hormone specialist would take a close look at estradiol, along with progesterone and other hormones.
Hi just seen this video been doing some research. I am really suffering doctors given me norethisterone I don't wether o should take it or not can you advice me on this please
Currently, I am suffering from premenopausal symptoms that torment me every day. It has been tormenting me for almost three months now, Every day I lose all my energy and I can't go to work, I have insomnia, I'm depressed, I have no energy left to do anything in life, I have to fight with it every day and felt so exhausted, I thought I was going to die. I cried to my gynecologist and begged her to save me during this time. After all the urine and blood tests and all the other examinations, finally my gynecologist I also said I'm in pre-menopause, Finally she decided to give me Hormone therapy (estrogen patch) and progesterone pills, I just started using it 2 days ago, I hope these will help let me get well and have my life return to normal, I really never thought that premenopausal symptoms could be so terrible.
I have some of these symptoms too, such as not being able to easily leave the house and just wanting to hide plus many more, no one talks about this, it’s all about hot flashes which I do not have. Started HRT now and I hope this will make me feel more like myself again
Hello! Im starting to go through this now. I’m curious if the patches and progesterone have helped you? Really hope you’re feeling better. 🙏
@@mariedawn-Exactly. I do not have hot flashes as of now but a crap load pf other scary stuff that I never heard of.
@@greenteenguyen4998
How are you doing currently?
I could have written your post. Your journey is exactly mine as well.
Menopause is profoundly difficult for some women. I know many who didn't suffer from it. They are the fortunate ones!
I am surprised that I have had much improved days (and even weeks!), in this past year.
Please hold hope. I was convinced I'd not feel well again in any way (ever).
@@mlbrown1068
It's true. The symptoms are so many, so complex, and so very difficult to experience. How are you doing?
* reading other women's UA-cam comments (and other sites), helped me navigate this unreal challenge in life! So helpful.
So far the best explanation
from someone qualified, far more simple and easy to digest than all of the other MD/ menopause experts” videos I’ve watched.. thanks for enlightening us!
Thanks Sara! Glad it was helpful.
You so right Sara. It’s easy to understand Steve’s explanations.
Sad but true
My peri has been brutal, it slapped me out of nowhere last year, im 46, soon to be 47. My anxiety and deoression along with insomnia being my worst symptoms. ..brain fog too. I felt like i was dying.. was going to start HRT, now considering just taking the 100mg prometrium cyclically.... ive noticed its way worse the week before and 4-5 days into my cycle. I can barely function. I went from being super active , to just existing, i hate this! What i hate even more is how LITTLE drs know about this subject!!!! So thank you for this video!!
@Angel-qf6if Thanks for watching. So sorry that perimenopause has been so rough. Progesterone is a miracle for sleep for the vast majority of women. I’m posting another video next Tuesday about insomnia, brain fog, and progesterone. Subscribe to get notified.
@SimpleHormones what I'm confused about is why is it recommended to take progesterone day 14-28, isn't that when progesterone is the highest? Won't it make anxiety abd depression worse? Ty for your help with this, Mr dr is clueles
@@Angel-qf6if The idea of taking progesterone days 14-28 is about mimicking the normal “Luteal Phase” of the menstrual cycle. Progesterone is normally at its highest during the second half of the cycle, after ovulation around day 14. During perimenopause, ovulation starts happening sporadically and much less often, which leads to low progesterone during the luteal phase. Adding progesterone back during the second half (luteal phase) brings hormone levels closer to what they were before perimenopause. For most women, that helps with mood issues, anxiety, and sleep.
@@Angel-qf6if If insomnia is a problem for the whole month and not just days 14-28, some providers will have you take progesterone every night. Neither approach is right or wrong. Progesterone is a very safe hormone and most (but not all) women do great with it.
@SimpleHormones I was worried about overloading my progesterone, seeing I still have my periods. They seem to come a few days later each month, but they're still there... thank you for replying😊
I tried so hard to find out exactly what was happening to me. I knew for sure it was a hormonal imbalance due to my symptoms but after reading so many books, looking at youtube videos etc I could not find anywhere a simple and clear explanation what happens to womens hormones in their mid 40s. Everyone has so many suggestions but before deciding what to do about it I really needed to understand what exactly is happening at this age. I also keept wondering what happens to the hormones after menopause since nobody talks about that, I even even wondered if the imbalance was going to last for ever. I cannot thank you enough. Do you have any places you would recommend in Los Angeles? Thanks again for giving me hope and clarity and for the awesome graphs.
Cecilia - thanks for the comment. I’m glad this video has been helpful. No guarantee but I may know some providers near you who have a lot of experience with perimenopause. Send an email to contact@simplehormones.com with your ZIP code and the name of the town where you live. I’ll check my database to see who I can recommend. I know hundreds of hormone optimization physicians, nurse practitioners, and PAs all over the US. Quite a few I know personally and others by reputation.
Wow, informative and concise! Thank you.
This video was so clearly explained- thank you. So many resources give the impression it will be very difficult to get treatment and that finding the right treatments isn’t well understood.
This video gives me hope and confidence that YES there are well understood treatments available. Great video
Good information. Much under discussed
Glad you think so!
I feel like there's just not very good information on menopause at all. I feel like I should be doing something or taking something. But broaching the subject with other women my age it's like your hushed. This is definitely the most easy to digest UA-cam video on the topic that I was able to find.
Sara - Thanks for watching and for getting what I’m trying to say. If you’re interested in more on menopause, I have a bunch of other videos.
Here’s one where I list the top 10 treatments for menopause ua-cam.com/video/3S0Ms92Sqf8/v-deo.html
And another about hot flashes ua-cam.com/video/z-E5PGDxm_o/v-deo.html
And this one’s about menopause weight gain ua-cam.com/video/AUDYt6G8NmQ/v-deo.html
Wow! I am thankful to have found this video. Great information! I’m in the peri menopause stage and trying to learn and understand what is happening to my body! I will be subscribing to this channel and listening to your videos! I will check out your website also! Thank you!
Very helpful. Thank you. 🙏
thank you so much for the referral .. i will let you know how it went 😊
Please say some knowledge about menupause after hysterectomy full and partial in early age like 39
Saniya - So sorry you've had to face early menopause. Hysterectomy is a difficult thing both physically and emotionally. I've been planning to create some videos about that topic. Thanks for watching.
This information was such a huge help. I'm on BHRT for both estradiol and progesterone. But DUTCH Complete results show I'm Estrogen dominant, have "bad estrogen", very low progesterone, very low DHEA, and extremely low testosterone.
I was advised to keep up with estradiol, try 2 weeks on 2 weeks off, add DIM Detox and 25 mg DHEA. Progesterone was increased to 150 mg orally (to help with sleep as I was barely on the chart for melatonin).
I've been wondering what the point of even using E2 and E3 is if I'm already close to off to off chart (E1 is high too)? It makes more sense to me to continue with the DIM Detox, leave progesterone where it was at 75 mg orally, OR drop the progesterone to try Chaste Tree Berry or pregnenolone. Doesn't pregnenolone help increase progesterone, DHEA and testosterone? It also appears that my body may not be processing/detoxing properly.
Stephanie - Hey thanks for watching! From what you’re describing, it looks like your doctor is on the right track. I like the DUTCH test a lot. DIM is a great option if DUTCH shows you’re metabolizing estradiol down the wrong way. More progesterone is a great call and ORAL progesterone is best. My only concern is that you’re taking estradiol and may not need it. You didn’t say whether you’re in perimenopause (still menstruating) but I would assume you are because your levels are high. The providers I work with will generally steer away from estradiol before menopause for exactly what you’re experiencing.
@@SimpleHormones Thanks Steve!
Correct, I'm perimenopause! This is all relatively new to me. I started having hot flashes that suddenly increased to multiple times a day and night last fall at age 46. PMS, which was new to me, had been increasing for a year or more before that. Then irregular or even skipped periods. And the mood swings and insomnia. Dr kept telling me I'm too young to have these issues, I'm still "technically" within normal ranges for cycle schedule, and the best they could do was put me on the pill, or I could try a Naturopath. I decided I'd try to figure it out on my own and find a Naturopath.
I started off taking Amberen Peri which actually worked for hot flashes and helped with pms/irregular cycle, but I learned it has MSG and wasn't sure how I felt about that long term. Then tried Estroven Peri with black cohosh and soy isoflavones, which stopped the hot flashes too, but I couldn't get past the idea of soy isoflavones long term either. I was still suffering from insomnia mood swings and fatigue also. I was under A LOT of stress in my personal life too.
Then starting in Jan I went through a series of crisis back to back that pushed me over the edge. My system crashed. Major fatigue, insomnia, then crash and sleep up to 15 hrs and still not feel rested, then back to insomnia. Lack of appetite. Major brain fog, irritability, short fuse, zero tolerance for people, drama, noise....the list goes on. I believed it was extreme adrenal fatigue.
When I finally got in to see a Naturopath I was in such bad shape I literally could not fill out the intake forms because I could. not. think. I was embarrassed and an emotional wreck. Turns out I had a fever and low blood pressure too. Which had actually been going on for me off and on for 2-3 years already. I had no idea at that point that I had a fever.
She usually tests first, but I was in such distress and in need of immediate intervention so she prescribed vag Estradiol and oral progesterone through a compounding pharmacy, and sent me home with Endocrine, B-vitamins, multivitamin, and the magnesium for the brain, can't remember what it's called ironically.
Since then I've had the DUTCH Complete test done (as I mentioned previously) which was really confusing to me since it shows my cortisol is pretty normal, but my system leans towards cortisone. I have no idea what all that means even after watching the videos on Precision Analytics explaining it. I'm stuck on the idea I'm suffering from adrenal fatigue because I have so many of the symptoms; fatigue, insomnia, depression, irritability, easily overwhelmed by simple things, muscle weakness, shortness of breathe, a kind of gasping for air I've adopted through out the day, "heavy" legs, weak arms, lower/middle back pain, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, get full quick, I've lost 15 lbs that I did not need to lose (normally 135 down to 115, I'm 5'7), low blood pressure, light headed upon standing, my pupils pulse within 2 seconds of light test and can't hold steady at all during 1 minute test, the skin stays white for 20-30 seconds before turning red (if it does at all) doing the scratch test multiple times, can't hold breath longer than 29 sec. But my free cortisol and cortisone are in normal range. I don't get it.
So the most obvious issue to me is what I mentioned in my previous message. High Estrogen, and continuing to use estradiol. It just doesn't make sense to me.
Sorry I geeked out on this. I'm just anxious to get to the bottom of this and really grateful to find you. Thank you for you sharing your knowledge and expertise on this topic. I've been hearing some scary things about using even micronized hormones and it got me searching for the truth, while wondering if I should stop using it and try herbs and supplements instead.
I've signed up to your email list on your website, thank you for taking the time to chat with me.
Bioidentical hormones are worthless for anything but preventing hot flashes. You need to learn a lot more. These people are happily taking your money and keeping you confused and distracted with worthless lab tests. How do you feel? Are you functioning? That is what matters.
I noticed my symptoms around my late 50s I have no night sweats no hot flashes. In my mid 40 my libido was low . Mid to late 50 really low when I hit 56 /57 my mental health was crazy. Anxiety depression off the charts. So now I just started HRT and I just turned 60 in November. Do you think HRT is safe for me . 🤷🏻♀️
I am sure that what the pharmaceutical that makes the Mirena IUD has figureed out how much progestin average/optimum dose it releases for majority of women. Can there be cases of insufficient dose and patients might need to supplement with bit more progesterone/progestin to get that happy average? Especially in periM stage in life.
I went through this in my 20s
I am as well, pretty much all of my hormones are low…what did you do? Did you start BHRT?
I'm 46 years old, not experiencing any mood swings, I still have regular periods but noticed that they have been much lighter. I had a miscarriage in 2016' and haven't been able to conceive since then. What meds along with colomid should I ask my OBGYN for?
Wow thanks for asking. That’s definitely a tough situation. I’m so sorry to hear about your miscarriage and those 4+ years probably have been difficult as well. It’s possible you may have issues related to PCOS, but regular periods may not fit with that. I might suggest you try to find someone with experience in patients with PCOS and infertility who can do a complete hormone lab panel and help you find out if you’re ovulating consistently. That would be the first place to start. Clomid can be helpful in encouraging ovulation but it’s also important to look for the root problem.
@@SimpleHormones
Thank you for your feedback, much appreciated 😉
I'm 50 and experiencing really bad sweats at night and hot flushes during the days. My moods are all over the place. My aunt passed away from breast cancer, I'm unsure and nervous of taking HRT. Have you any advice I'd really appreciate it
Having a relative who has had breast cancer is very sad. It's understandable if that makes you nervous about hormone replacement. But the right hormones, given in the right doses, can actually reduce your risk for breast cancer. It's important to see a hormone optimization specialist about those issues. Watch my other UA-cam video here ua-cam.com/video/ImQxgAPSf1s/v-deo.html
What does Estradiol 50pg mean?
I'm 51. I still take birth control pills and have regular, but very light, periods. I don't notice a lot of the other symptoms here except maybe vaginal dryness. I believe I'm in perimenopause. I'll see my doctor fir my annual exam at the end of October. What should i be asking her?
@gabrielleperson4794 Thanks for watching. I have a resource specifically designed to help you have an honest conversation with your doctor. Send me an email and let me know how it goes. contact@simplehormones.com www.simplehormones.com/hrt-questions/ Good luck!
Can progesterone be taken all month long if it's very low? I'm 41 and I am estrogen dominant and in perimenopause. Also what dose is best?? Thx
Adria - thanks for watching, Progesterone is usually given cyclically in women before they go into menopause. The normal female cycle has high progesterone in the second half (called the luteal phase) and low progesterone in the first half (the follicular phase). It’s best to keep women going on that same cycle, although exactly how and the specific doses would depend on your blood tests and your doctor’s assessment.
Thank you! That helps!
I have regular cycle of 28 days but actual period decreased from 5 to 1 -1.5 days for a year and having a lot of other peri symptoms. Does this still mean I need progesterone or estradiol?
If you're still having menstrual cycles, that indicates you're in perimenopause. Perimenopause is a time when progesterone can be useful to help with mood swings, depression, anxiety, sleep issues. Estradiol MAY be necessary, but that's going to be very high one day and very low the next. Wide swings in estradiol make it tricky to take in perimenopause - too unpredictable. Not impossible, but very tricky.
Please I need to get in contact with you
Should I take progesterone every day or cyclical in peri menopause with irregular periods?
Great question. Most women in perimenopause (still having periods) should usually be on a cyclical progesterone. That's definitely not 100% though. there are situations where a doctor might want you on a continuous progesterone to help relieve symptoms all the time, with no week off. It's something and experienced hormone provider knows how to deal with.
Thank you so much for responding to my question.
I listened to this video today again and I’m wondering, could high estrogen and low progesterone levels make me kinda anxious restless and unmotivated?
For me I was just taking progesterone cyclically but only felt better around days five to 10 and I felt like crap in between those times. So my gyn had me start taking estradiol the rest of the month and it still didn’t seem to do much, but I staring bleed exactly two weeks later, so she is letting me take both together to see what happens
I am 42 and I am bleeding all moth and my doctor prescription progesterone it’s this ok?
Most doctors will give you medroxyprogesterone for bleeding issues, which isn't the same as progesterone. That may be OK in the short term, but probably not a good long-term solution.
What are the side effects of taking 200 mg of progesterone pills ? If it’s a loss of appetite and depression, then I’d rather suffer.
The 2 most common progesterone side effects are drowsiness and nausea. Taking progesterone at night helps with sleep and for most people, the drowsiness or nausea is gone by the morning. There are extremely rare cases where progesterone increases anxiety and/or depression but 99% of women experience DRAMATIC DECREASES in BOTH those symptoms when their progesterone levels are optimized. I haven't read or heard anything about loss of appetite, which is extremely complicated and can be the result of many different factors..
@@SimpleHormones unfortunately, I experienced a loss of appetite and depression. I had to discontinue the pills.
Hi Steve, my DuTcH test came back as such low oestrogen they couldn’t tell me which pathways it goes down, DhEa also low, testosterone was at about 30% on the scale. I’m only 40 but have all the symptoms of peri menopause especially low oestrogen symptoms.
MsIronPhoenix - Thanks so much for watching. That must be hard to start thinking about menopause or even perimenopause that early in life. I'm so sorry you're having those symptoms. I'm assuming since you've had a DUTCH Test (DUTCH stands for Dried urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones for viewers who haven't heard of it) that you have a hormone provider of some sort. Your situation might be a bit tricky, especially with very low estrogen levels. Usually, estrogen is up and down all the time in perimenopause, as I mention in the video, so it's not always possible to prescribe estrogen (like estradiol) to perimenopausal women. That's a call your provider would need to carefully evaluate. It might be important in your case to look at 1. progesterone levels 2. FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) levels that show your menopause status and (most importantly) 3. regularity of menstrual periods. I'd suggest you talk more with your provider.
By the way - I'm a big fan of the DUTCH Test and I spent an hour or so in McMinnville, OR with Mark Newman, the biochemist who developed it along with the CEO who runs the company. DUTCH is a great tool to look closely at the metabolism of hormones and to see exactly what's going on with them. I don't think it's a necessary expense for every patient, but I recommend it for patients who, for whatever reason, have some specific issues with hormones that their provider has trouble figuring out.
What if both are extremely low but you are 35-40?
That's a situation that calls for help from a qualified hormone specialist. There is something called premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) or premature ovarian failure (POF) that happens in younger women, under 40 or so. It's basically very early menopause but there can be serious underlying causes that need to be checked out.
If you're interested in finding a hormone specialist, somebody who really knows how to manage all your hormone issues and get you to optimal levels, is to visit this page on my website and fill out my Patient Referral Request Form here simplehormones.com/referral If you leave a referral request on UA-cam or email it to me, it's extremely likely I'll drop the ball or it will fall through the cracks. Once you fill out the form, be sure to check your email for a message that says "Confirm your email address." Thanks!
@@SimpleHormones ok I have been working with a hormone therapist recently and both were really low. I have been feeling crappy for several years, I just barely turned 40, and my regular dr just tells me to eat less exercise more and get more sleep! Oh really no kidding!! My new dr she has me doing bhrt but I don’t know what would have caused them to be so low. My fsh and lh were on the lower side. But she keeps telling me I am not premenopausal? I just wonder if I should have other test for other health conditions.
@@Crissy529I’m in the exactly same position as you … we’re you able to get to the bottom of it?
@@maggieoconnor9054 no I went to two other doctors and neither were helpful.
Wow! This is such great information. These gynecologists are so uneducated about helping patients with menopause. They are clueless. They don't get any education about it in med school. I've learned a lot on my own from doctors online who specialize in women's hormones.Because of what I learned, I literally told my doctor that I need micronoized progesterone oral caps at 100 mg. I'm 52 and still cycling regularly but have had insomnia and brain fog. Plus super heavy cycles. All indicators of low progesterone. I'm following you because you know what you are talking about. Keep up the great work. Plus women need to know that bone loss will happen if they don't replace their estrogen in menopause. Exercise and diet are not enough. Bone density is very dependent on estrogen!
Wow! You are absolutely right that . . . "women need to know that bone loss will happen if they don't replace their estrogen . . . Exercise and diet are not enough." That makes me think about making a video specifically about osteoporosis. Thanks!
Also, good for you for asking for progesterone. It's the single most effective treatment for menopausal (or perimenopausal) insomnia and brain fog. I'm 100% convinced that brain fog is rooted in sleep deprivation. There may be other brain issues going on, which progesterone will also help, but sleep is the biggest problem.
One more thing. I know some amazing OB/GYNs, 1 in St. Louis, 1 in Oklahoma, 1 in Ohio, and 1 in Florida who aren’t at all clueless about hormone optimization. There are good ones out there who have been well-trained.
@@SimpleHormones Thank you for your replies. I live in Las Vegas and I've been to 3 different gynos in the last 6 years and have either gotten wrong information or no information. There is a retired gynecologist here on UA-cam, Menopause Taylor, who offers consults. I've learned so much from her. People like you and her are literally saving women from a low quality of life. It's a topic that has been overlooked and women are suffering when they don't have to be.
@@SimpleHormones where do I get bio identical estradiol patches? And testosterone cream or patches…My family doc is super nice , he can write me a prescription and I can find a compounding pharmacy….but he needs to know what prescription to write…I orders bio identical progesterone spray from dr in the states…
Perimenopause and menopause totally sucks for many women. Don't put off seeking help if you become uncomfortable because it only gets worse from there on.
Sylvia - You're 100% correct on that. Thanks for your wise input.
It's an uphill battle getting hrt for perimenopause
I started taking estradiol in perimenopause and it saved me! Taking progesterone alone did little for me. Each person is different.
@@ericaaldin6611
👌❤️
I started perimenopause symptoms at 35. Im almost 38 now and started progesterone 8 months ago and testosterone 2 months ago. Both are helping so much!
Hello,Doctor
Interesting information
I started my HRT at the time of my Peri Menopause aged 39
It is marvelous
No regrets
No side effects
New Subscriber here from Amman Jordan Middle East
Elizabeth - Thanks for watching. So glad you’re doing well with your hormones. That’s exactly the story I’m trying to tell: “Optimal hormones will help you feel like yourself again, eliminate your symptoms, and protect you from long-term health risks. There’s no need to be afraid of hormones - your body has made them for decades and still needs them.”
How's your condition now? Do you still get the period?
You are extremely lucky because I am 45 and I am going through perimenopause and I feel like nobody is listening to me.
I have not found any information about taking hrt during perimenopause and I don't know what to do?
I was told I was too young to be in peri menopause. 3 different doctors completely shrug off all my symptoms just because of my age (39) So frustrating!
This did NOT match my experience. Taking Progesterone alone did NOTHING for my hot flashes...which seem to be caused by low estrogen no? and made me so fatigued and depressed I questioned whether that quality of life was worth living. It was horrible.
I added testosterone and that gave me enough of a little boost to make it possible to live, but only adding estrogen really helped to where I could feel stable and have access to happiness.
That is my experience. And yes, in perimenopause my estrogen was not stable...it was up and down, but its wayyy more tolerable to have occasional high estrogen symptoms than low ones. I mean look at the list. The main thing that makes womens quality of life tank is the damn hot flashes. not to mention the rest.
I did not get many high symptoms. No breast tenderness (which is not a big deal anyway) I think I got like a couple headaches...no big deal I took pain killers and waited it out.
I personally find since it is the estrogen tanking that causes the most negative impact to quality of life, that is the important one to replace. Of course it makes sense to add the other two too for various reasons. But I would not leave the estrogen out. Its the most important IMO
According to other menopausal experts who are actual medical doctors or gynecologists you are correct. Menopause Barbie is my favorite. I took HRT that included estrogen during peri-menopause and it really helped me. I thought I was loosing my mind and even started on depression meds before I found out my hormones were all over the place. After starting HRT life when back to normal until a few years later when I was diagnosed with Graves disease. I'm so glad I was already on HRT because I could have suffered some severe bone loss due to Graves but HRT helped slow that down. Anyhow I'm in remission for Graves and hoping to stay that way. I'm staying on HRT as long as possible too. I would prefer to not get osteoporosis, heart disease, and Alzheimer's, All are high risk diseases one could get from estrogen deficiency.
Hello! If your periods are no longer regular or you missed periods altogether, how do you know when to take the progesterone since you won’t know when day 14 to 28 is? At that point is it suggested to take it every day? Thank you!
So useful. I haven't found anything as comprehensive on the fluctuation of hormones in perimenopause. The graphs really help to understand precisely the changes that are happening. Thanks so much. I'd really be interested to see a graph of the hormone changes during a month. I only get hit with issues of perimenopause when my period is due but doesn't actually appear - all other days of the month I'm completely fine with only very very minor signs of perimenopause.
Glad it was helpful! Thanks so much for watching.
Same here!! Only I just started getting mine again after 3 months of it being gone😢😂.. but it's def worse the week before and 5 days after it starts
Very grateful for having your expertise available on UA-cam. You explain perimenopause so well and I really appreciate the way in which you explain the use of HRT as well as its benefits. I am particularly interested on more information on the use of HRT for women like me who have been diagnosed with stage 4 Endometriosis in 2010 when I had a laparoscopy. I had big part of my adhesions removed. Now at 53 and going through perimenopause I would like to consider taking HRT. I have had all kinds of perimenopause symptoms which have been managed to some extend with supplements and herbs however, I feel it could be beneficial to start taking HRT. Any suggestions on HRT for women with Endometriosis and how to approach my GP on my upcoming appointment on Oct. 12. Thank you so much for the great job you are doing!
So basically you can get depression and anxiety either from high estrogen or low estrogen. Or from high progesterone or low progesterone.
Yeah, it's ridiculously confusing isn't it?!
Yes it snuck up on me at 50 and I literally thought I needed to be in a white padded room. Now that I know what's going on with my body, it's easier to deal with, however the mood swings, insomnia, brain fog, and hot flashes are my personal challenges. Thanks for the video!
You’re welcome! Thanks for the comment. Here’s another video that talks more specifically about menopause symptoms and the best way to treat them. ua-cam.com/video/HZCd1gD0HrI/v-deo.html
@@SimpleHormones Thanks I'll take a took!
Horrendous insomnia, no memory, utter exhaustion, and moods I’ve never had previously is my challenge (HELL?) as well. Who knew it could possibly be this awful.
@@pilarboutte392 So sorry it’s been awful for you. It may sound a bit simplistic, but 1) you’re not alone and 2) there IS hope.
@@pilarboutte392 Most of what you’re describing sounds related to low progesterone levels
My peri slapped hard at age 38. And many woman actually start from age 35 in our online community. Many of us find relieve from natural usp progesterone as per Dr John Lee.
This is such an amazing lesson. Why didn’t anyone including any doctors teach us this?!?! This channel is helping me navigate this tumultuous time.
@gymchick1 Thanks for watching. I'm here to help!
How desperately unfortunate that progesterone (even the micronized “bio” Prometrium), doesn’t help some of us. Zero help with my severe insomnia and causes depression I never had previously.
Menopause has dismantled my entire life. COMPLETELY.
I’ve had 53 years of difficulty in my female body. But lots of women do right?
But never ever did I think that sleeping 30-60 minutes PER night for 6+ years would be my fate. Yes, it causes me hallucinating regularly.
After seeing 24 doctors, endocrinologists, and even Cleveland Clinic and Harvard trained menopause specialists, I’ve given up. I use full hormone replacement therapy ( it helps me be 2% better…sometimes).
I say all this so someone out there may know she’s not alone if her menopause is the top 10% of severely debilitating.
I'm extremely sorry that you have been through all of this! How are you now? I dearly hope that you are sleeping better by now?
@@Aurla-R2-D2
Thanks for asking! Thoughtful! ☺️
I'm actually doing better, but in a totally different way. Really hard to explain what I mean by that. I think my experience with menopause really rewired my brain, and gave me a totally different body and physiology. I don't recall how I used to feel.
@@Aurla-R2-D2
And I am getting some amount of sleep....extreme insomnia is something that truly is a torture for all who experience it.
It's mind blowing how much suffering it causes so many people.
@@pilarboutte392 ~ I'm so glad to hear that you are doing better now! Thank goodness! What did you do to improve your sleep / hormones and health? I'm 47, and I've had incredibly severe insomnia every night, ever since I was about 2 years old. I can barely function at all. I'm terrified that my insomnia will worsen as my hormones drop.
@@pilarboutte392
Try Valerian root capsules and melatonin, it helps me with my sleep. I am in progesteron also.
I'm 50 and haven't even hit perimenapause. I had my blood work done. Looking forward to it.
This is the best educational video I’ve seen on this topic! Everything was well explained and easy to comprehend. Glad I found this.
Glad you enjoyed it! I love reading affirmation that I'm on the right track.
1:19 my symptoms: 20 lb weight gain in six months without diet or exercise change, anxiety, depression, adrenal surges, insomnia, hair loss, itchy skin, water retention even though I’m well hydrated, flat stomach to poochy stomach, nausea, sore boobs for weeks, acne at 49. I have ovaries but no uterus so I don’t know if I need estradiol only or progesterone or what. I was prescribed both but I’m not feeling better. I hope you have answers in your video 😢
2:15 Night sweats and feeling like I’m being cooked in a microwave. I forgot about those. I weighed 125lb in March and it’s Sept and I’m 148lb
@@SoCalRegisteredNurse
Ok, you've described my experience EXACTLY. You have sisters in arms.
And you have many of us out there who empathize wholly. Only detail compared to my symptoms is, I gained 60 lbs in 5 months. Please hold on to hope. This journey can eventually do a huge shift and majorly improve.
* progesterone of no help in my case (protects my uterus only) estradiol and TESTOSTERONE....absolutely.
@@pilarboutte392 I’m fortunate that my testosterone is pretty steady. I have almost no progesterone (0.1 from LabCorp). With the 0.05mg estradiol patch my level is in the 30s so I asked to go up to 0.075mg patch. I’m lifting weights four times a week and I’m starting to see very slow progress, but it’s progress. I wish my mom talked to me about this crud. I had no idea what was happening to me. I tell my daughter all about it so she won’t feel like she’s losing her mind.
The best advice so far
Thank you for watching Salonee
I love your videos, but premenopause is not the same as perimenopause. Premenopause is the time between a woman's first period and the onset of perimenopause. Perimenopause is the transition phase into menopause. Also, almost all menopause specialists explain that it's pointless to test a woman's hormone levels during perimenopause because the levels are fluctuating so hugely and so frequently. All best wishes
I recently came upon a Hormone video that explained Pre Peri -Post menopause terms. Pre: Puberty to Peri.
Peri: start of menopausal symptoms to end of 12 months of no cycle. Menopause: Day of the 12th month of no periods (just 1 day) Post menopause: Ever After 12 months of no period. Sorry can’t remember by whom the video was.
I am a board certified gynecologist and I really enjoy your videos. I am a huge fan of progesterone in the perimenopause since so many women have sleep and anxiety issues in perimenopause. However, you mention the large fluctuations in estradiol and progesterone, and yet you also recommend serum testing. I discourage testing with a few exceptions, because testing at one point in time, or even a few points in the cycle, does not accurately reflect the whole picture. I would be interested in when you recommend testing--day 3? Day 21?
Also, despite estrogen dominance, I often find that adding estradiol can help with vasomotor symptoms in perimenopause, but I would love to know your thoughts on which dosage is high enough to suppress endogenous estradiol. Thank you for making these videos!
Hi hope you don’t mind I ask you about progesterone I tried utrogestan 200 vaginally and rectally and was always very bloated to the point I couldn’t sleep and wanted to ask you which type of progesterone will I be able to tolerate and thank you 🙏
Since estrogen is typically the highest at day 12 to 13 of the menstrual cycle in premenopausal women-wouldn’t it make sense to start there as baseline? If it’s showing lower levels than baseline on an annual test, then couldn’t it help the doctor know that a patient is moving into perimenopause? (Pre-menopausal and PERI-menopausal are different phases from what I’ve read)
I just started on progesterone in peri menopause and wondering how long until it takes effect? A month or so??
I just stumbled across your video and like other people am so encouraged by how thorough yet easy to understand this presentation is. Hormones have always been such a mystery to me. I will be 51 next week and I have been wondering why I am so absolutely EXHAUSTED all the time. I don't believe I sleep well I do toss and turn a lot. I am reaching out on the off chance you might know someone good in the central CA area I can seek for guidance about my hormones? My Dr. ignores everything I say and it's incredibly frustrating which is why I hardly ever go. I just want motivation back and to have some energy again. I appreciate any help you can offer. Please keep these videos coming. I'm so grateful I can have more understanding about what's happening to me. I too have felt like I'm losing it. Thank you again.
The best way to find a hormone specialist, somebody who really knows how to manage all your hormone issues and get you to optimal levels, is to visit this page on my website and fill out my Patient Referral Request Form here simplehormones.com/referral If you leave a referral request on UA-cam or email it to me, it's extremely likely I'll drop the ball or it will fall through the cracks. Once you fill out the form, be sure to check your email for a message that says "Confirm your email address." Thanks!
@SimpleHormones I did this, hoping for a response soon 🎉
I’m dealing with muscle cramps and joints popping
Thank you very much for your work! Best explanation I have found so far for what’s going on with hormones around the perimenopause time. Simple and to the point.
That comment makes me feel like this channel is worth all the work (and helps outweigh some of the mean ones!) Glad you see it as “simple.”
This is so detailed and helpful! I think every woman needs to know this information because we all eventually go through this. I’m sharing with my friends! 😊
@silleecat Thank you! And please do.
Davis Mary Miller Nancy Johnson Cynthia
This was great! Any tips for women in late thirties goes through much longer periods between cycles and hot flashes? Seems young, maybe POI. Have you don’t on this? Premature menopause is increasingly common
Your uterus does not produce hormones when your ovaries shut down....your adrenal glads do.
This is the best talk I have seen. You go right to the point. I love the graphs as they help one visualize the hormone patterns. One comment I can add is some women have stated that they felt even better when they had a little bit of testosterone added to their HRT. I presume that can go a bit too low as well but many women are not tested for low testosterone.
Absolutely true! Testosterone is definitely one of the hormones women need to have optimized. It helps with libido, muscle strength, fatigue, and helps prevent or reverse osteoporosis.
@@SimpleHormones Do you think taking DHEA or using DHEA cream is a good way to pick it up.
DHEA is another hormone that I recommend you optimize using an OTC oral capsule. DHEA in a vaginal cream form has been shown to be effective at relieving vaginal dryness and painful intimacy due to menopause. My experience with DHEA as a transdermal cream is that it's pretty difficult for pharmacies to compound and it's not very well absorbed through the skin. I would NOT recommend the cream, except for vaginal use. My experience and the studies are mixed about DHEA increasing libido or testosterone. The vaginal cream supposedly has some ability to increase libido, but the oral capsules don't. DHEA could theoretically increase testosterone, since they're chemically quite close to each other. But sadly, it doesn't seem to work very well at raising testosterone.
@@SimpleHormones Thanks for that advice.
I have just turned 50, and my symptoms are bad sleep, low libido, irritability, brain fog, dry eyes, while still having periods ( less flow and shorter) . I have just started 0.5 estradiol transdermal gel 7 days ago, and I am bleeding since day 2. Does this mean I do not need estradiol yet, or is this normal? Not getting too much help from the prescribing doctor, so will see another doctor next week.
@agnesjuhasz7715 Here's a video that explains a bit more about bleeding after menopause. ua-cam.com/video/_J2wWHx7Bcg/v-deo.html
Thank you for this!!! Hard to come by this info
You're so welcome!
Thanks so much, Steve! You're amazing..Best Wishes for you & your family in 2022!!!
You’re so welcome! I hope you have a fantastic 2022!
Most concise explanation yet. Thank you!
Glad it was helpful!
None of the sleeping supplements helped with sleep as much as progesterone does !
I've heard that multiple times from patients and providers.
Thanks for a great info. Do yo know what causes sudden explosion on facial hair growth (it's soft, blonde but still, it came out of blue)? I checked my hormones and they all seem to be on a lower side except DHEA at 327. I was on DIM for at least two years due to really bad symptoms of estrogen dominance. My Dr. said to just start using progesterone cream but I am not sure that will fix the issues with facial hair. Thank you!
DHEA can increase hair growth in women and 327 is a little high. The most common cause of unwanted hair growth in women under 50 is insulin resistance, which increases testosterone levels.
Thankyou so much for this informative video. Very well explained.im 40 & going through perimenopause. On HRT at the moment.
You're welcome.
Thanks for the great explanation. I'm sure I'm in the late stage of perimenopause but have all the symptoms of menopause it seems. Do you know a center in the Northern VA area?
The best way to find a hormone specialist, somebody who really knows how to manage all your hormone issues and get you to optimal levels, is to visit this page on my website and fill out my Patient Referral Request Form here simplehormones.com/referral If you leave a referral request on UA-cam or email it to me, it's extremely likely I'll drop the ball or it will fall through the cracks. Once you fill out the form, be sure to check your email for a message that says "Confirm your email address." Thanks!
I've been told by male Dr that I have to go thru it he wouldn't give me any advise
Unfortunately, that's not uncommon. A lot of doctors just say, "Get over it." I'm trying to steer women in menopause toward healthcare providers who not only care, but who also know exactly what to do to help you.
Do women, who had no children, go through this stuff
Yes so long as you have functioning ovaries you will.experience these changes
This is so well articulated and easy to follow, thank you! My functional Med doc has put me on oral progesterone to help with frequent bleeding (every 2 weeks) but it’s been about a year and I still don’t see any improvement. I want to see this work but it doesn’t seem likely. My obgyn just said maybe try going off the progesterone to see if it improves. He said there are some changes in the uterine cells based on biopsy and maybe that is caused by the progesterone? I’m so confused cause 1st he said maybe I need to go on progesterone to fix the issue then when I told him I have been on it for that very purpose he said maybe go off. He suggested an IUD but I’ve had 2 before and didn’t love them plus no longer need for the birth control piece. I’m almost 45 but have been dealing with these frequent periods, along with all the cramps, breast tenderness, for about 18months or so. Love how well I sleep on the progesterone but as of now I’m supposed to stop taking it as soon as I see blood so I only end up getting to take it every other week. So appreciate you’re wisdom and generous gift of time!
I’m sure you need to take Oestrogen as well to balance it out? Please research this as I’m not 100%.
@Kate Bruno I have been having the same issue. For about 6 months my cycle starts every 21 days and once after 13 days. My doc put me on bio identical progesterone from a compounding pharmacy. So far it’s kind of working after only 30 days no period. I’m on 200mg a night plus a 25mg cream during the day. Which progesterone were you prescribed?
@@muse3241 very good to hear you've had some success! I don't think the one I am on is compounded as I get it from CVS and she has me taking 800mg per night 24 hours after last blood (so literally as soon as my period stops) each night. I tried a cream for a while in conjunction cause she thought maybe my gut was having malabsorption of the pills but that didn't change anything for me.
37 and in hell with fatigue and millions of symptoms. I have very low P and high E and T is low as well. My cortisol and adrenals are a mess too :(
Sounds like perimenopause for sure. If you're in the US or Canada, I would recommend looking for a perimenopause specialist who knows how to manage those hormones and get them optimized. simplehormones.com/referral
How long do symptoms last from beginning peri to post ? Is it 10 years or 14 ?
Symptoms vary widely between individuals and between different ethnic groups. The perimenopause period is 4-6 years (or more) before menopause. Menopause is the day that’s 1 year after your last menstrual period. After menopause some symptoms, like hot flashes, last 4-12 years, depending on your ethnicity. Other symptoms, like vaginal dryness, painful intimacy, and urinary incontinence, never go away and usually get worse over time.
@SimpleHormones Thankyou for replying.
Great simple explanation so far. I learnt a lot watching your videos than actually seeing specialists in Australia. I am not sure if we have any hormone optimisation specialist in Australia. Would it be another title for them, such us endocrinologist?
Unfortunately, I don't have a lot of contacts in Australia. I do know a couple and they may be able to refer you to someone close?
The best way to find a hormone specialist, somebody who really knows how to manage all your hormone issues and get you to optimal levels, is to visit this page on my website and fill out my Patient Referral Request Form here simplehormones.com/referral If you leave a referral request on UA-cam or email it to me, it's extremely likely I'll drop the ball or it will fall through the cracks. Once you fill out the form, be sure to check your email for a message that says "Confirm your email address." Thanks!
I just started taking Estroiol and Progesterone and I have Cystic Fibrosis diabetes. I lift heavy weights 5x a week and do daily walks and 5x a week of moderate intensity cardio workouts as well. I follow a strict diet of 120 high quality carbs, 125 protein, and 65 of fat daily and track macros. Unfortunately in this week since starting my low dose HRT my blood sugars have been quite high and my sensitive to carbs is terrible. Is this common? Will it level out? Any recommendations as to what to do?
I started on progesterone (100 mg continuously) about three weeks ago. How long does it take to fully kick in?
Depends on what you consider as fully working. The sleep effects can start pretty soon, within a few days. It's possible to have bleeding issues arise later on, after a few weeks. Don't be surprised if 100MG isn't quite enough. Many women end up needing more.
@@SimpleHormones thank you. I am starting to sleep better which is one of my biggest issues. It will be nice if it lightens my periods eventually.
You explained this very good .. Now I know why I been struggling for the past few years..
I cant swallow pills is there any options for people who can't swallow pills?
And what about if I couldn't take birth controls cause they all made me not feel well evwn the lower dose ones.. Will I be able to take HRT?
I used to used DIM, now I’m in estradiol 0.1 mg/progesterone 200 mg. I’m still in perimenopause, can I continue using DIM, since the fluctuations on estrogen?
If you can take birth control in perimenopause, then you can certainly take estradiol.
I’m 42 with a lot of symptoms! I thought I was becoming bipolar. 2 weeks leading up to my period are horrible!! Anxiety attacks, nausea, insomnia, crying spells, stomach problems, dizziness, blurry vision, smell heightened, ringing in my ears. My dr prescribed me 200mgs of progesterone to take the weeks before my period. I’m scared thats way too high of an amount. I already feel so nuts I don’t want to feel any worse. Any suggestions? Is that a high dose?
Amazing!!!!!! POrtugal here! I´m taking recently progesteron bio! I´d like to know that sooner, i´m 52 and suufer with endometriosis, and last week i went to the gino and she wants to prescribe Ac, because she said i´m not in menopause! And leveles were ok..no they weren`t ! Thank you!!
For the last two years, I have been using bio-identical HRT treatment. Now, my thyroid TSH level is high. Do I need to increase my armor thyroid?
Please help me out?
I’m post menopause and symptoms that I have is again weighed around belly and itchy like crazy. So intense and have tried many things like, cream, histamine 100 mg( by drs.) and fewer vitamins and doesn’t seem to help. What can I do. Thank you
Have you done a video about anger, rage and extreme irritability in peri-menopause???
Not yet. Good thought though. Perhaps I'll add that topic to my perimenopause course?
You need to go to a good homeopath. And stay the course for at least 9 months to a year. The rage and anger will go away if treated properly.
Great video thank you for explaining it so easy 😃
You're welcome! Thanks for watching.
Anyone in Canada Niagara Falls area? My gynaecologist isn’t testing proper only prescribing estrogen and progesterone Bhrt so estrogel and prometrium. That’s it
So many providers won't test because of the fluctuations. They treat with HRT based on symptoms. What do you think? I think they should be tested.
Testing levels in blood is not accurate. How you are feeling is what will tell a woman if she has the balance correct.
12:10, progesterone in perimenopause can be very helpful.
Steve, I was just reading that ovaries produce hormones other than estrogen and progesterone. That being the case, why would I want to have them removed, albeit some like to think that ovarian cancer is a risk after having endometrial cancer. But, if it is only grade 1, isn't the cancer removed at the time of the hysterectomy? Also, one hospital on UA-cam is saying that endometrial cancer is most likely to return within the first three years of having a hysterectomy. What's the scoop? Please would you be kind enough to elaborate Steve? I am starting to find conflicting answers, and trust your information, because I have concluded that not everyone is so well versed, even if they happen to be doctors.
Thank you so much doctor you have answered my theory , I am56 still peri menopausal yep lol , periods are now every 3 to 4 months apart ,, I have gad fibro cystic breast syndrome for years , I started to her hot flashes so my doctor put me on estrogen and progesterone but the estrogen makes my flashes worse 7 a night and 8 a day yes I know phew ,, I really think I’m estrogen dominance,, I’ll ask for my hormones to be tested
There is no such thing as astro dominance. The filt in your body has to get out..your gut or liver aren't working well to get all the poison that we get in or body's out!..look up fFelice Gersh on this topic of misunderstanding astrogen dominance
After menopause is it ok to take progesterone and estrogen-methyl tests?
Hi Dr Im 47 years old female athlete, My gynecologists did put me on Angelique Hrt 2 tablets a day, After my blood work I was diagnosed with low level of progesterone and estrogen just need to know your opinion on this. Thanks
Hello, im 42 and have regular periods my whole life. 3 months ago I started having hot flashes and missed 3 periods as well. Still haven't started. Previously, my periods were becoming irregular. I would sometimes have 2 periods in 1 month. I saw my gyn and had biopsy, and ultrasounds. Everything was perfect. I've been vegan for 13 years and eat very healthy and am at a healthy weight. I fear HRT as i.wpuld like to transition naturally. However, I'm concerned of negative diseases due to lack of estrogen. I would really appreciate your opinion. Thank you kindly 🙂
Sounds like your ovaries are starting to sputter and produce less estradiol. You’re a little young for that but it’s definitely not unusual. I would tell you not to be afraid of HRT as long as you get the right hormones at just right levels. That’s the very best way to transition “naturally.” It’s also the best way to protect yourself from long-term health risks, like diabetes, osteoporosis. Alzheimer’s, and heart disease.
@Simple Hormones ok thank you! I will say around that time I started Intermittent fasting for health and still am. I wonder if this could play a part as well? I eat low fat whole food plant based diet and exercise on power plate (vibration therapy), which is also great for bone density.
Being vegan doesn’t mean you’re healthier. And 42 is young to start skipping periods. I’m 45, eat 80-100 grams of animal protein daily and still and have always had a regular period. I would carefully consider whether being vegan might be the reason you’re already skipping periods.
Hi, I would like to talk to professional
Help Steve, my Gyn, told me that after having a hysterectomy, I will not need to take progesterone anymore. How will I be supposed to sleep? For decades, I have been unable to sleep for more than two or three hours at a stretch, so being able to sleep after taking oral progesterone, was truly heavenly. Now I have a Merina IUD, which is obviously going to be tossed out with the 'bath water' when my uterus disappears. Now what? What did I do before I found your site? Coming here is so helpful and informative!
I'm on the pill (Zoely) in continue to manage PMS due to PCO (Not PCOS). I wouldn't know if my periods were irregular because I skip the period stage. I might have started pre-menopause before taking the pill in continue. The pill removes the PMS symptoms but I still feel some pre-menopause symptoms (brain fog, tired, poor sleep, mood down, dryness...). How is the pill helping or aggravating my pre-menopause symptoms? Thanks
I'm 39 and recently placed on E2/Progesterone cream therapy. I feel much more energized but my periods and PMS seem to be exacerbated. Terrible breast pain, cramping, and nausea.
@@N00pe731 Maybe too much. Talk to tour doctor and see if tour dose needs adjusted.
Hello, please can you tell me how long does it take for the estriol cream to be absorbed into the skin after application. I ask because I have started using bio-identical estriol cream but it seems so much greasier than my bio-identical progesterone cream. I am using them both because I had a total hysterectomy when I was 32 and I am now 65. Then I was put on oestrogen only and it wasn’t bio-identical. My life was destroyed by being castrated. I asked was there any other treatment I could have for my endometriosis and cystic ovaries and the surgeon said “no”. I only discovered a few years ago that I could have been treated with hormone therapy after reading Dr John R Lee’s books. Thank you.
They could have also told you to stop all sugar but they don’t
Thank you Sir for the educational video. Following my DUTCH test, I've learned I'm low estrogen, ok with rest of hormones. I'm 48 with clockwork 25 day cycle, no hot flashes, but do experience recent weight gain in the belly, bloating, mood swings and brain fog. Not sure if I should take bio identical estrogen/ progesterone, or try natural approaches first? So scared as I'm so sensitive to hormones! Cholesterol, thyroid, blood sugars all normal.
Sounds like you're in pretty good shape for the moment. Most of the providers I work with (just talked to one an hour ago) are hesitant to prescribe estradiol before a woman is fully in menopause. As long as you're still having regular cycles, you can probably wait it out until you've gone 1 full year without one. Then a hormone specialist would take a close look at estradiol, along with progesterone and other hormones.
I didn’t have a lot of patience but now hardly any at all 😮
Hi just seen this video been doing some research. I am really suffering doctors given me norethisterone I don't wether o should take it or not can you advice me on this please