January Q&A

We answer more of your questions about menopause and perimenopause. Questions submitted this month include questions about breast cancer and hormones, why staying on the birth control pill to manage symptoms is not ideal and questions about estrogen dominance.

[@stephanieferguson5672]

Just had my FSH level and it’s 21. On the patch, off the patch, a merry go round time…. Back off the patch and it’s 21. I feel better off estrogen. Still using transdermal progesterone, and testosterone. Vaginal estradiol . It’s hard being 44. Hysterectomy leaving ovaries. 😮

[@dianginsberg942]

The ovaries will vary the estrogen production and how much the cooperate with the brain. this will last a year or 2--if you had a uterus it might be easier as you would have some irregular bleeding and would relate that to estrogen production. It does not matter that you had a hysterectomy your ovaries are on that rollercoaster. when they listen to the brain the FSH goes down and they make some estrogen. when they dont the FSH goes up a bit usually over 25-30 and higher. clearly you are still making some estrogen so when you add the patch the estrogen is too much some days and other days may not be enough I would go off the patch to a cream--i prefer a bio identical mix of estriol and estradiol and then you can adjust how much you use each day --until you ovaries stop working and then you will steady state your dose. for the record transdermal progesterone basically does nothing--so you need oral progesterone to support your brain and sleep and be careful dont push the testosterone level too high--it actually slows metabolism hope this helps

[@stephanieferguson5672]

I absolutely LOVE this channel you have created and the wealth of knowledge both you and Shelia have. I always get so excited when I get the notification there is a new update on your channel. I have listened to so many over the years and the research and heart and soul that you put into your work is really matchless!! I cannot begin to tell you how I have taken so much of your knowledge and applied it to my life style. Thank you for that. I initially tried the oral progesterone and LOVED the sleep it provided, BUT the indigestion and stomach woes I couldn’t tolerate it. I also tried using it vaginally, to no help either. I wonder why I cannot tolerate this with not having a peanut allergy? So strange. Thank you again Dr. You’re a gem. 🫶🏼

[@dianginsberg942]

@@stephanieferguson5672 thanks for the kind words--I have had a few patients with that issue. if you try it with a digestive enzyme--take them both at the same time I have had really good results and the GI upset goes away

[@stephanieferguson5672]

That’s good to know about a digestive enzyme. This was never mentioned to me, just was changed to transdermal. Is the digestive enzyme something that is prescribed or over the counter availability?