bioidentical hormones for menopause

A group of us raised this issue on another post and decided to read up on this and exchange views on a new post.  The book we are going to discuss is Dr Lee's book 'What doctors don't tell you about breast cancer' (not proper reference, from memory).  He suggests that there are three kinds of estrogen and not all are implicated in BC.  I am not arguing that he is right but if he is this might have impliations for us.  Harley how long have you been on 'bio identical' homones before you were diagnosed?

I have read Dr. Lee's book on bioidentical and breast cancer and find it very interesting. It mentions that there are 3 estrogen hormones (estradiol, estrone and estriol) Estradiol and estrone are the more potent forms and cause breast and uterine cell growth. According to the book, estriol is a much weaker form of estrogen, which based on some small studies, does not appear to cause breast/uterine cell growth. According to the book, estriol may be a safe alternative for breast cancer survivor's, for meopause, but only if monitored by a Dr.

I myself am looking into testoserone pellet therapy only, as I have had an ooph and have low levels of all hormones estrogen, progest and testosterone. Pellet therapy delivers a very low dose of testosterone daily, somwhat like a women has in her 20s or 30s. Apparently low-dose testosterone can help a menopausal women with hot flashes, libido, vag dryness and bone loss. There is a small chance of androgen symptoms like acne, facial hair ect. but these differ for each women and the test dose can be lowered, per my Dr's nurse. - I am more than willing to try it, given my menopause symptoms. Alot of breast cancer survivor's in my area are using testosterone pellet therapy only with good results.

I saw the Oprah show too. Very informative.

Julie

Wow - thanks whippetmom - great information.  I've had so many questions about it all.  I just always wonder about the 'if it sounds too good to be true..." 

Amy

Bio-identials work for women...but for those of us who have BC, well we are a different group!  And the trick with bioidenticals... you have to go to a doctor and you have to get YOUR hormones tested.  You can't just self prescribe what hormones you may or may not need.  I've been familiar with them for years...and have seen how they have helped so many women.  But AGAIN, we are walking in uncharted territory...especially with being diagnosed with BC.

 Find a PROFESSIONAL who has KNOWLEDGE of bioiodenticals.  They are hard to find, but they are out there.  As with anything else...do your own research!

Here is a link to some scientific studies you can look up

http://www.drerika.com/pg/jsp/general/scientificarchive.jsp

Hi Lorraine

I was on tamox and zolodex shots for 1.5yrs. The zolodex shots had already caused an instant menopause, so when I had the ooph in Feb. 08, the symptoms have been about the same. I am mostly bothered by the hot flashes. Also no libido and vag dryness. I have been on femara for 11 mths and now have joint issues and muscle weakness, as well.

I was 48 when dxed with stage 1/ grade 2/ er/pr+/her2-. I am working with a very reputable Dr. here and have had blood and saliva tests. She also monitors all pts for uterine problems while on bioidenticals, including an annual transvaginal ultrasound. And she needed my oncologist's approval, before she will start the testosterone.

Rescue

That is exciting that you had such good results! I have my appointment Feb. 11th. I am looking forward to seeing if this therapy will provide me with some relief.

Julie

I think it's a lot more acceptable for someone on tamoxifen to have estrogen cream if vaginal dryness is a big issue.

Then you're targeting the hormone at tissue that needs it.

Harley, I was told that by the time my cancer was discovered I probably had it at least five years.  It is therefore conceavable that you already had your cancer before you started the bio-identical hormones.  I never took them, have no family history and still got ER+ and PR+ cancer so it is difficult to know whether bio-identicals either caused or fed it.  Of course we don't know that they didn't either.  Dr Lee was written off as quack and he well may be but he devoted his life's work to this and quotes many studies that support his views particularly regarding estriol.  His book is worth reading even if you don't agree with everything he says becasue he explains better than anyone else certain processes which interfere with estrogen becoming damaging to our health (like what happens when we excercise and how that helps).  I think if other doctors were more interested in finding out what else (apart from medications which have such damaging side effects) can be helpful we would not be searching for information ourselves.

AccidentalTourist,

Yes, I know that I had bc BEFORE I even used the bio-identical hormones, as my surgeon told me that we have bc for 8 to 10 years before we can even feel a lump.  Nonetheless, estrogen feeds the ER+ type of bc that I had, so it did feed my tumor, no doubt about that.

I don't blame myself.  I was dx'd with Premature Ovarian Failure at age 35, and I had researched my condition before finally deciding to try bio-idential hormones.  This is why I think I may know a little bit about this topic.  NONE of my drs. knew what to do with me.  But, since I was still very young, and having hot flashes and night sweats, I felt that I had to do something.

I agree that if others in the medical field would research the cause of cancer and the effects of ALL treatments, including alternative as well as Rx drugs, maybe one day there would be a CURE for this horrible disease.

Harley 

I was diagnosed with DCIS in situ..had lumpectomy, radiation, now trying to decide whether to go back on estrogen- i was using cream..going to try the ring...but would love to do the bioidentical hormones. My surgeon and radiaologist and gynocologist all told me I could use the cream and ring as it was such a small amount. The first surgeon I went to but didn't use told me i had to get off the cream and take tamoxifen. My surgeon Idid use and radiologist said the tamoxifen probably was not necessary..the benefits for me at my stage of life did not outweight the risks for the small percent of benefit it would give me. It taught me that i need to shop around. The first sugeon I went to was a general surgeon...the second is a leading breast cancer researcher...they have the lastest clinical trial research...know about newer innovative procedures with fewer side effects

jhoff1, welcome to BCO. You raise some good questions. Have you talked to your doctor about non-hormonal options as well? Here is a page with a little bit more detail on bio identical hormones. HRT