robbie_florida Yes, I had your symptoms and I had done my homework to be able to ask to have Prometrium prescribed and also thyroid replacement for finally diagnosed but long suspected hypothyroidism. The bleeding of three months, but severe needing an overnight pad every hour during the last four weeks, stopped after two weeks on the natural progesterone (Prometrium) and the thyroid medication. I thought I was going to bleed to death before it finally stopped. My doctor admonished me to not take any aspirin for the excessive endometrial pain causing buildup. Diagnosed and prescribed September 5, 2001. Age 46. Now more normal periods than I have ever had. I did my homework to avoid the synthetic hormone merry-go-round which puts too many women on the surgery table for hysterectomy. You were deficient in progesterone, so therefore you were building up too much endometrium. Without progesterone to rise and fall naturally, a normal menstrual blood flow is impossible. I am guessing you are bleed free by now? You can e-mail me if you wish. Check other posts that I have recently started for information resources to help you understand your symptoms and the reasoning for the Prometrium prescription.

Just a word of caution: Do be careful about taking these over-the-counter remedies without consulting with your doc first. They can contra-indicate if you're taking other meds. I'm on the "other side" of most of you, having stopped my periods 15 years ago at age 44. (And sorry to say, the hot flashes are still with me.) My experience showed that I was not able to quickly find a successful regimen to hold my menopausal symptoms in check. I consulted with three or four GYNs until I found one who was willing to stick with me until we got it right. I really had to become my own advocate, if you will. We need to be as well educated as we can about the subject. As you look for what you can "take" to help you, you should also research really well the results of the (Women's Health Initiative) study they released back in 02. Don't rely on websites related to drug or supplement firms - read what's available on the National Institute of Health and other medical sites. In '06 the NIH released results of a separate study that showed herbal supplements were of no value in relieving hot flashes. Some women are lucky in that their menopausal symptoms are less severe and perhaps they perceive that herbs like black cohash have helped. But it's not "everyone's menopause," and what works for some doesn't work for all. After lots of trial and error, I was on an HRT regiment with both estrogen and progesterone that was wonderful for my body. I took the pills for about twelve years (referred to them as my "life line"). Hot flashes and night sweats were completely eliminated, and I was able to concentrate once again (although NOTHING NOTHING NOTHING helps for memory loss!). On and off I also tried a variety of anti-anxiety pills, none of which seemed to make a discernable difference. Depression is very common in menopausal women. Many people have had good results with the bio-identical hormones. I tried them for about a year but I didn't find the results comparable at all, so I stopped. I'm no longer on any hormones, and it has been a real struggle. I still have almost-daily hot flashes and nightly hot sweats (although the night sweats are not as severe, yet they still awaken me and that's annoying enough). Since stopping HRT, I don't think I've had a single uninterrupted night's sleep. But, as with every step I've taken since my periods stopped fifteen years ago, being off HRT is my choice. I have just learned to live with it. I think the bottom line is that you need to understand what if any risks there are in your body/family history that would or wouldn't make HRT a good solution for you. I don't think I've seen any mention here of calcium supplements, and that's so very important. We should be taking 1,200-1,500 mg daily if we're not on estrogen, a bit less with estrogen. Osteoporosis is very common in both pre-and post-menopausal women. Here is a link that might be useful: Menopause and Herbal Supplements Study Article

I'm almost 50 and also have had little or no libido for several months. As my testosterone levels were normal when I had my hormones tested recently I would be reluctant to take more and risk the hair problem!! I think it's more a question of estrogen levels (that was way down, even tho I'm still having periods). So, having had two unsuccessful goes at taking HRT over the past year - unpleasant bloatingn, weight gain etc - I'm about to have another try, this time with Bi-estrogen and a progesterone cream called Crinone 4% - there's lots of info on these newish options on the Net. I'm interested in hearing comments from anyone who has tried this combo. I live in Paris so now I have to find a Dr here who has heard of Bi-estrogens and Crinone. I asked my GP today who said "Just because it's on the Net Madame doesn't mean you can get it in France." Have to make an appointment with a gynae after Xmas and see if he's more enlightened! Life without libido is so boring!!

For everything you need to know, read Lane Lenard PhD. and Dr. Jonathan V. WrightÂs new book, Stay Young & Sexy with Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement; it slams Wyeth and the FDA for hypocrisy regarding stance on Premarin® and Provera®. Special attention should be given to the fact that the progestin component of the HRT, medroxyprogesterone acetate, which is branded under the name Provera, is NOT the same thing as bio-identical or natural progesterone, produced by a human body. The two are vastly different chemicals. Provera has an additional medroxy acetate chemical group added to the original progesterone molecule. This changed the activity of progesterone into something that is not natural and, as the WHI study showed, has caused numerous side effects. Prometrium, made by Solvay Pharmaceuticals, contains the hormone progesterone. It is structurally identical to the progesterone made naturally in the body. In fact, Prometrium is the only hormone replacement therapy medication with bio-identical progesterone that has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It is sold in caps. But the OTC hormone creams bypass the liver which is preferable