After 6 years peri and 6 more (excruciating) years post, I've decided to bite the bullet and go on HRT. I want to inform myself before I go to my doc, so the first thing I did today was check my insurance co's preferred drug list. It doesn't cover much, but will pay for generic estradiol tabs (that's what I wanted, anyway) and the only affordable choices for P are either generic medroxyprogesterone acetate (NO!!!), Prometrium (I'm leaning toward this), or generic norethindrone acetate. I haven't seen this last one mentioned on any of the boards and was wondering what the story is on it. I'm guessing it's synthetic. Anyone have any experience with it?

Thanks in advance,

Sue

P.S. I know bio is the treatment of choice, but my finances can't cover that.

Dear Sunny
Have to admit have never heard of this one but I am on Synthetic HRT and have been for many years.It is called Angeliqu.
have yearly check ups and Thank God all is good.Will probably stay on them for a long time as the relief and the quality of life has been marvellous.Of course all is not one hundred percent and still get various odds and ends but still very satisfied.
I actually did try to come off them and go the natural route but it was not meant to be.I also exercise and do Yoga.Met a friend the other day,haven't seen her for a few years and she must be late sixties.Girl.did she look good!She told me she has been on HRT since age of 40 and intends to stay that way!
I really do admire all those marvellous ladies who use vitamins and supplements and go the natural way but I think all of us have to decide what best suits our bodies,income and health
Good Luck
Maybe you can fin info. on this on the Internet.
Keep us posted
Elizabeth

The norethindrone (Micronor, Aygestin) is a synthetic progestin but differs from medroprogesterone acetate (Provera). It tends to be a little easier to tolerate according to some women as it causes less bloating, weight gain and depression. That is, if they are in the right ratio relative to the estrogen you are taking.
They are more androgenic than Provera so they are not recommended for anyone with cholesterol problems (high cholesterol combined with low HDL). All progestins tend to decrease some of the positive effects of estrogen.

Prometrium is your natural choice but the lowest dose it comes in is 100 mg. I am very sensitive too medications so I like the flexibilty that a compounded progesterone offers. The P can be the most perplexing part of the hrt puzzle. Good luck with your choices.

Hello, I took northinedrone, trying different forms of progesterone, and it gave me a severe yeast infection several times. I spoke to a Dr. online about this and she said it caused the same reaction in her daughter's birth control pills. This may vary for different women but that's what happened to me. I've gone to cycling vaginal progesterone for 10 days every six weeks, so I don't have to take it all the time. I'm post meno, however. Northinedrone didn't cause depression and other side effects so I was disappiointed that I couldn't take it.

Hope this helps.

EN

quote name = Simba 2 date = Sept 9th 2008

Regarding the northindrone. I tried a patch called Evorel Conti, a no bleed product for women at least one year past their last period. Only managed to stay on it for a couple of months. Felt unwell with it. Bloated, very tired and then began to get pains in my uterus plus wind a loose stools. Did me no good at all and wasn't good for the hot sweats. Also made me feel down emotionally so had to come off. Would not take this route of combining oestrogen with synthetic progestin again. I think this progestin is related to the molecular structure of testosterone. It is to keep the lining of the uterus thin. Personally felt awful on it.

From Simba 2 (UK)