The Battle of the Hot Flashes

I surrendered to my hot flashes finally this week. After trying all of the available over the counter “natural” solutions, and even the specially compounded bioidentical cream, I went in to my doctor and said, “HELP ME!”  The lack of decent sleep, the constant brain fog, the unpredictable flashes and sweating…that’s it! I will either need to start killing people or get some serious medical help here!  How did the pioneer women deal? Oh, that’s right, they usually died before they got hot flashes…

It helps that I have the most amazing gynocologist. She has all the facts at her fingertips and reads all the lastest studies. I know, because I do too. She doubled my estrogen level (no need for progesterone because I have no uterus) with an “estradiol transdermal system.” A few days later, I feel like I’m slowly emerging from the biggest brain fog in history. My temperature is moderating and I can think again! YES!

We discussed how that old study on women who took Premarin for decades on end was not a fair measure of all hormone replacement therapies. A study summary that came out in the October 2007 issue of Scientific American called “Easing Hormone Anxiety” p.32, states that, “taking hormones soon after menopause-within about 10 years-is safe for most women.” The trick is just taking the lowest level needed, for only a couple of years until the worst is over and then slowly cutting back. “The data even suggest that hormone therapy for less than 10 years may improve some women’s health more than doing nothing.” This article quotes studies that have shown that estrogen taken at the worst part of early menopause has been shown to improve heart health and decrease cases of breast cancer in women age 50 to 59.

So let’s hear it for better living through chemistry! I’m starting to feel almost normal again. But then, everyone seems normal until you get to know them!

Tagged as: estrogen, Hormones