Hi!  I'm new on this board and have been searching all over for some information on estrogen replacement.  Hopefully, this board fulfills what I am looking for.  

I had a hysterectomy (sp?) years ago (at 32 years old) but I was left with one ovary to prevent any hormone replacement.  Everything was fine and I am in excellent health.

I went through menopause at 52 years old.  That one ovary finally bit the dust and had the usual symptoms of hot flashes, etc.  I had a blood test done to check my hormone level and it verified my menopausal status.  I decided on the estroderm patches (.05 milligrams) and had been using them now for 7 years.  I now want to go off of them (price keeps going up and the exam required to refill my prescription is very expensive--no insurance) and I feel that after 7 years of using them, I want to find something more natural.

My question is this.  What is a good replacement?  I do know that soy is the recommended replacement; however, there are so many pills/powders on the market how do I know what to use?  Estrogen replacement protects my heart, bones, etc.  Does Soy replacement  do the same thing.  How much do I take?  Should I use calcium supplements?  These questions seem simple, but I am amazed at the nebulous information out there.  Even a doctor (who of course pushes estrogen replacement) can't give me a straight answer.

I do not have a weight problem and because I have no car in the city, I walk everywhere usually carrying heavy packages (weight bearing exercise) and I do know I have good bones.  My cholesterol is high but controllable through diet (I tried it).  I have no health problems and my blood pressure is low to normal.

Please pass on any advise you can give me.  I need some guidance in order to make an informed decision.

You should pick up a copy of the book "The Wisdom of Menopause" by Christiane Northrup. She's an M.D. that does a great job of discussing and answering all of the questions in your post. It's a wonderful book that blends her experience going through menopause and her research on options/alternatives.  You may have seen her on Oprah a while back.

Dr Northrup has also been Dearest's guest here in a Power Surge chat.  You can read the transcript at http://www.power-surge.com/transcripts/northrup.htm

Not sure where to post this question.Does anyone know if you go on the BC pill if you will still go through menopause ? Also does it help with symptoms?

(Edited by Irish Rose at 7:16 am on Aug. 1, 2001)

In reading these boards, it appears that most of the woman are using forms of HRT other than oral contraceptives.

My GYN just put me on a pill called Mircette. The element which distinguises this pill is that it contains a 28 day regiment, 20 days which include estradiol and progesterine, 2 days placebo and 6 days of pills which contain only estrogen.

After the 7th day on this, I am already feeling better. The elevated heart rate ( I wouldn't call them palpitations, but my resting rate got up to 105, whichsent me to ER) is normal again, I don't feel panicky and my mood is better

I would love to hear other women's experiences.