I have had wonderful success with natural progesterone (not progestin) cream and feel comfortable recommending the natural progesterone cream. As with anything, progesterone is not the answer to everything for every woman. A common safe dose before menopause is 15-30 mg. of cream one or two times daily for the 1-2 weeks before menses. After menopause, the dose is 15-30 mg. 1 or 2 times daily for 26 to 28 days per month. For millennia, women have used herbs wisely and safely.

Yes, you can take Hotflex™ by itself or in addition to prescription HRT or ERT. As with any dietary supplements, consult with your physician beforehand. Although Hotflex™ has not been reported to interact with other prescription medicines, this issue has not been rigorously studied. Like any other dietary supplements, before taking Hotflex™, it is important that you discuss it with your healthcare professionals.

HRT is an abbreviation for Hormone Replacement Therapy. Several years ago it became popular for doctors to prescribe the hormone estrogen for women with menopausal symptoms. They thought they were replacing the hormones lost with the advent of menopause. Contemporary physicians now know that estrogen is not the hormone needing to be replaced. They are becoming increasingly aware that it is progesterone that is desperately in need of replacing.

The Green Dispensary Compounding Pharmacy at Norwood supplies patients directly or via other pharmacies in the group. Each of the six Green Dispensary Pharmacies, at Stirling, Mt Barker, Lobethal, Hackham, Erindale and Norwood can accept your prescription. Transdermal preparations can be collected within one business day and oral preparations within two. Yes, in many instances you can receive a subsidy but it is advisable to check with your particular Fund to ascertain this.

Currently, MacaActive is gaining worldwide attention as a safe, natural, and highly effective alternative to conventional hormone replacement therapy (HRT), since breast and ovarian cancer as well as heart diseases, blood clots and other side effects are associated with this treatment. Many health professionals are integrating MacaActive into their practices and promoting it as an excellent treatment for menopause symptoms.

Yes, you must visit your doctor. If necessary, your doctor may consult a Green Dispensary Compounding Pharmacist to ensure your needs are met. In the event that your own doctor does not embrace BHRT, The Green Dispensary can supply a list of doctors who do.

Researchers have empirical evidence that HRT can increase muscle mass, decrease body fat, increase bone density, lower blood pressure and cholesterol, improve your sleep patterns, strengthen your immune system, enhance your sexual drive and performance, regenerate your heart, liver and kidneys, improve your skin tone and remove wrinkles. - (1*, 2*)

Yes, you can take Menopex™ by itself or in addition to prescription HRT or ERT. As with any dietary supplements, consult with your physician beforehand. Although Menopex™ has not been reported to interact with other prescription medicines, this issue has not been rigorously studied.. Like any other dietary supplements, before taking Menopex™, it is important that you discuss it with your healthcare professionals.

Natural hormones are, in fact, bioidentical hormones. The fact that the bioidentical hormones come from natural plants (soy or yam plants) does not make them bioidentical. From there they are taken to a chemical plant where they are further processed into the bioidentical forms. They are further tested for bioidentical purity, so that when a compounding pharmacy receives these products they are ready to be compounded into different dosage forms.

Consult with your physicians when switching from prescription HRT or ERT to Menopex™ or any other dietary supplement. Generally speaking, a gradual transition is important to your successful transition to Menopex™.

Many women believe in "natural" approaches in order to avoid the side effects of standardized HRT. "Natural" means that molecular structures have been modified in the laboratory to match those found in the human body. Natural products may not necessarily be more effective or less toxic than their more traditional counterparts.

Many women now taking estrogen or estrogen combined with progestins are able to discontinue their HRT. Please consult with a medical professional before doing so. It is possible that if adequate natural progesterone levels were present, any needed estrogen could be made from it. Because progesterone sensitizes estrogen receptors, it makes sense to supplement with progesterone rather than estrogen.

Copyright © 2002-2005 Health Information Publications. The information provided on this Web site has been developed exclusively by and for Health Information Publications and ehealthMD and may not be copied without written permission. The information provided is for general information only and is not intended to replace the advice of your health-care provider. This is original material developed by Health Information Publications, Copyright © 1990-2005

Since the Women’s Health Initiative Study came out there has been a great deal of confusion about HRT. Most of the press got the information wrong as they mixed bioidentical with synthetic hormones as being all the same. The press never understood the difference between bioidentical and synthetic. The study was done with synthetic hormones and a major arm of the study (Prempro) had to be discontinued because of the risks involved while women were on it.

Studies show that HRT used at the proper dosages to return diminished levels of hormones to their optimum youthful levels rarely has any negative side effects. In fact, long-term studies show that HRT over a period of years is virtually free from side effects while providing continuing benefits. - (1*, 2*)

Some hormonal conditions, PMS for example, can often be treated effectively by herbs and supplements. For others, such as increased facial and body hair, no herbs have been found which make much difference. Also, response is very individual, especially with alternative treatments. It often makes sense to consider alternative treatments before deciding to go to prescription medications. However don't rule out medication; some can be dramatically helpful.