Jean
Full Version: Estratest? Confused...
I had a hysterectomy four years ago and was immediately put on Premarin. Not knowing any better I've stayed on that drug since then. I've recently started lurking here and realized I needed a change. I saw a new female gyne who agreed I was on the wrong meds. She wants to start me on Estratest HS.....mainly because I complain of ZERO libido. Unfortunately, soy isn't an option for me. I have thyroid disease and soy plays havoc with my "numbers". I never realized it affected the absorption of thyroid hormones....and I've been swinging between hypo and hyper for a long time. My physician finally asked me to cut way back on the soy and it seems to be doing the trick. Revival sounds like a wonderful product...but I'm unable to try it. :( Has anyone had experience with Estratest? and if so was it positive or negative? I don't suffer from major hot flashes or night sweats. I'd appreciate any information you could offer me
Hi Jean,
This is just my experience and since we are all different with different symptoms you may do fine on Estratest HS. I tried Estratest HS to see if it would help with libido and fatigue but it sent my anxiety into overdrive. I even cut my pill in half but got the same reaction. If you don't suffer from anxiety/panic etc. you may do fine on this. Hope you find something that works for you.....i'm still searching.
Hi Kari... Thanks for the info. :) I DO suffer from panic/anxiety attacks and you've helped me a great deal. After researching Estratest and reading all the side effects to my husband we've both decided it's just not worth it. Thanks again....you made me realize this was a smart decision.
Taking Estratest H.C. I am going into my fourth week starting Monday. I had all the bad symptons of Menopause after being on a natural hormone cream for about a year. It stopped working all together and I thought I was going to die. My symptons was hot flashes, cold flashes, headache, naseau, no interest in sex at all, fatique, night sweats, mood swings, Vaginal dryness and irritation, Irritablilty, Change in body odor under arms for about a week. Insominia--- awake for days, or sleep for 2 hours and be awake for the next 10 hours. Memory lost--big time--couldn't remember what day it was. Rapid heartbeat, sinus problems, Light headed and balance off. Good thiing I have no appetite, that helps me in losing the weight I need to lose. Plus the to top it off I have Manic-Depression and I have been manic for 4 weeks. Higher than I have ever been in my life. Having all of these my counselor says I am a special case, not sure about that but at this point just wanted to God to come and take me away from all of this.Good news, I am a survior and must be very tough. The estratest H.S. I think is going to work for me. Most all the symptons are gone except for the High manic part resulting in not sleeping, some nauseau, Some irritiability, improving some, Libido has improved somewhat at least I think about it more and have more interest in it. Memory lost some better, still not great. Rapid heartbeat only every couple of days and no facial pain and no lightheadness and my balance is not off at all. All in all, I am doing much better and still no appetite. This has helped alot I exercise 3 days a week for 30 min, go to Weight Watchers and have just lost my 10% and 5 pant sizes and 4 dress sizes. And drink 2 quarts water a day and try not use caffine, and have noticed my skin is improving and softer. Hey! that all good I am 49 and every little bit helps. I hope this helps and put a postive to everyone that takes Estratest H.C. Goodluck Everyone.
Still on Estratest H.S. and loving it!!! I finally made it through a rough time, I thought I was going to die. I survived, because I am a survivor.All the memospausal symptons are gone. Finally the manic espodes went away after being put on Kloppin 1 mg. for 2 weeks. I am even sleeping. Far as sex it's getting better. My husband works alot of overtime and I am just not in the mood when he is. This too shall pass. My appetite is coming back some but I think I can handle it. Still losing weight and lots of inches. My doctor finally found out what works for me. Thank God, the manic espodes was awful. For 3 weeks I only slept for no more than 10 hours. The manic espodes was triggered by what else--- (MENOPAUSE) I am doing great now. Good luck to everyone!!! It does make me feel good to know that Estratest H.S. is made from a plant and not from what most hormones are made from---Horse urine, Ugh!!!
Gibplace said, ....and not from what most hormones are made from---Horse urine, Ugh!!!
That is incorrect information. Most hormones are not made from horse urine. Only the Premarin family of hormones are made using equine hormones - Premarin, Prempro and Premphase. Power Surge has taken a stand against Premarin for seven years not only because women aren't horses and shouldn't be using hormone therapy made from the urine of horses, but because of the cruel and inhuman treatment of those pregnant mares from whom the urine is extracted. You can read more about this in one of the newsletters on the Web site. Go through the indices of the newsletters and you'll find articles about Premarin. You can also do a search on the site and specifically in the newsletters for info about Premarin.
Power Surge does not recommend Estratest or Estratest HS (half strength) because the amount of testosterone in their formula (even the half strength) is too high for women going through menopause.
There are plant-derived hormones available other than Estratest and Estratest HS. Power Surge's recommendation to any woman interested in using HRT to treat her menopausal symptoms contact Pete Hueseman, who's been Power Surge's Pharmaceutical consultant for six years and deals exlusively with naturally compounded, bio-identical, plant-derived hormones and can provide the smallest dose to start a woman on to see how she reacts. A transcript of Pete's last chat can be found here. Contact information is provided within the transcript should anyone wish to E.mail or call him.
Dearest
Dearest,Didn't want to cause any problems saying this about other hormones, this came from my doctor's mouth. I really believe in my doctor, and as far as Estratest it has really helped me.Like to know more about the male hormones though.
"Didn't want to cause any problems saying this about other hormones, this came from my doctor's mouth. I really believe in my doctor, and as far as Estratest it has really helped me. Like to know more about the male hormones though."
Gibplace, you didn't cause any problems by stating your opinion. I merely wanted to clarify about the equine hormones. I'm glad you're doing well on Estratest. However, my comments about Estratest and Estratest HS are from what I've learned from renowned testosterone authority, Susan Rako, M.D., who's been a frequent guest in Power Surge and is the author of The Hormone of Desire: The Truth About Testosterone, Sexuality and Menopause.
For others who may be considering using testosterone supplementation, here are some snippets from my chats with Dr. Susan Rako.
Dearest: Susan, you've pointed out that you feel Estratest contains too much testosterone for women. Do you believe Estratest-HS (half-strength) contains too much as well?
Dr. Susan Rako: Yes, Dearest. Estratest - HS had TWICE as much testosterone as MOST women find useful and many women find that they just don't feel very good on a dose that is too high. They have trouble sleeping, can feel agitated. Also, Estratest is a combination, estrogen and testosterone and you can't regulate the dose of one without affecting the dose of the other. Very unwieldy.
Dearest: How much testosterone is there in Estratest and in Estratest HS?
Dr. Susan Rako: 1.25 MG in the half strength. 2.5 mg in the full strength.
Dearest: And you say that's way too high, yes?
Dr. Susan Rako: That's 5X the dose I use. WAY too high.
Dearest: Susan, what other adverse side effects can a woman experience from too high a dose of testosterone?
Dr. Susan Rako: If a woman takes a very high dose for a substantial amount of time -- months, she can get acne, lowered voice, and increased downy facial hair. THERE IS NO REASON FOR A WOMAN TO TAKE SUCH A HIGH DOSE AS WOULD CAUSE ANY TROUBLE AT ALL. It's a pity that so many people are ignorant about the safety of testosterone supplementation in the proper low dosage.
You can find Dr. Rako's transcripts in the Library. You can also read more about Dr. Rako's research on testosterone on her Web site The Hormone of Desire (which I happened to build for her a few years ago).
Best,
Dearest
I struggled with meno and peri meno symptoms for four years and had horrible reactions to most HRTs until my dr hit on Estratest HS. I don't know how anyone could "not recommend" it across the board without having a pt's history. My history was one of extreme resistance and feeling so bad I thought I would die. My libido was so low I didn't just not want sex, I began to have an aversion to it. My husband was extremely unhappy. I started Estratest HS and started feeling better right away. I was skeptical having tried so many other things that did not work. I had increased energy levels, better sleeping and a renewed libido (nothing spectacular but much improved). Like someone else said, I really believe in my dr. She was recommended to me by a friend who swore by her every which way. This woman is phenomenol. I also was recommended to it by a friend who is an OBGYN who said he puts his pts on it. I think that each doctor and patient needs to decide for themselves and to subscribe to one doctor's theory on anything at all is simply foolish.
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