I've been on HRT for 40 yrs had a total hysterectomy at 30 I'm 70 now still taking HRT will do until l die. My bones density is the same as when l was 30 heart score 2yrs ago was zero, so to me l have HRT to thank.
I want to flow til I go. My hormone doctor was a man (Naturopath), and he's clueless. I fired him, as he didn't even know the 3 diseases of menopause. All he cared about was blood work, and didn't care how I felt, as long as the numbers looked good. He gave me just enough to stave off hot flashes and night sweats, but that's it. I want to thrive, not just survive. I'm done with male doctors, especially for my female body. That was my first mistake. I'm going to call Dr. Gersch. She's amazing ❤
@@cwednesday that’s what I thought.. I think adrenal fatigue and thyroid is another disease. There is so many things that lack of hormones create. My mother passed at 85 and she had dementia from no b12 and my father just passed at 95 just 10 years after mom. He was sharp as a tack. He passed from chronic lymphatic leukemia.. I believe from Lyme disease..
@@jannlittle4745 I’m so sorry about your Mom. Mine is also suffering from lack of hormones. She was forced off her HRT in the early 90s. So unfair for that generation! I feel so lucky that I’ve found the care that I need.
I use the Wiley Protocol. Cyclical relatively high amounts of hormones. Quite easy to follow. You get a calendar every month and you just follow the amounts for each day. People used to have freak outs about this kind of HRT (actually, they still do), but my guess is that in a few years it'll be becoming the norm. I'm 57, I feel great.
Can you please provide a graph or knowledge of what days the estradiol dose is high and low. I am assuming you take a break from the progesterone but continue the estradiol all month.
@@pennynichols Yes. It's hard to find a published guide to this information online. I just spent some time tying out the schedule in a Google doc. People ask so often and I never know how to give them the info'. I'm gong to paste it here for you. I hope you can make sense of it. The Wiley protocol provides their creams in little syringes, each with 30 subdivisions, or lines. Here are the dosages for the base protocol. Estradiol - 1 mg/line Day 1-5: 4 lines - twice/day Day 6-8: 6 lines - twice/day Day 9-11: 7 lines - twice/day Day 12: 8 lines - twice/day Day 13-14: 2 lines - twice/day Day 15-17: 3 lines - twice/day Day 18-28: 4 lines - twice/day Progesterone - 20 mg/line Day 1-13: 0 lines Day 14-15: 4 lines - twice/day Day 16-17: 8 lines - twice/day Day 18-19: 10 lines - twice/day Day 20: 12 lines - twice/day Day 21: 14 lines - twice/day Day 22 - 12 lines - twice/day Day 23-24: 10 lines - twice/day Day 25-26: 8 lines - twice/day Day 27-28: 4 lines - twice/day Lunar Calendar Day 1 2024: June 11, 2024 July 10, 2024 August 8, 2024 September 7, 2024 October 6, 2024 November 4, 2024 December 4, 2024 In between Day 28 and day 1 of each month, add in a Baseline day that is just 4 lines of estradiol twice/day.
That is what I’m on. 10 years now. unfortunately I didn’t start until I was 57 or 58. I love Wiley and it is higher doses than Felice Gersh recommends I believe. I still love listening to her. She’s a wealth of information.
@@pennynichols I'm not sure what happened but i replied to you yesterday. Here's the dosing schedule: estradiol - 1 mg/line Day 1-5: 4 lines - twice/day Day 6-8: 6 lines - twice/day Day 9-11: 7 lines - twice/day Day 12: 8 lines - twice/day Day 13-14: 2 lines - twice/day Day 15-17: 3 lines - twice/day Day 18-28: 4 lines - twice/day Progesterone - 20 mg/line Day 1-13: 0 lines Day 14-15: 4 lines - twice/day Day 16-17: 8 lines - twice/day Day 18-19: 10 lines - twice/day Day 20: 12 lines - twice/day Day 21: 14 lines - twice/day Day 22 - 12 lines - twice/day Day 23-24: 10 lines - twice/day Day 25-26: 8 lines - twice/day Day 27-28: 4 lines - twice/day Lunar Calendar Day 1 2024: June 11, 2024 July 10, 2024 August 8, 2024 September 7, 2024 October 6, 2024 November 4, 2024 December 4, 2024 In between Day 28 and day 1 of each month, add in a Baseline day that is just 4 lines of estradiol twice/day.
Dr. Gersh Thank you for pioneering real healthcare for women. The general medical care for women is so disappointing- opposite of health care since we are left to face known negative outcomes from lack of estrogen. Please don't lose heart in the fight- the message is spreading
Im in UK. Im 49 and in peri. I booked an appt at Louise Newson clinic and the docs there are great. They put me on HRT estrodial and progesterone (cycled). It was pretty expensive for 3 months supply but my doc has said he would prescribe me if he can see the letter from newson clinic. Im so lucky. Also going to see what my testosterone levels are. Were so lucky now this area for women is progressing.
Thank you so much for sharing. I'm 47, with loads of symptoms of peri, and in the UK (Brighton). Have been trying to decide if I should get an appointment with Newson Clinic.
Thanks for sharing. I am always curious how these agencies are working out for women. I am wondering, though, are they giving you lowest dosages for shortest amount of time, or are they testing you to see your dosages are high enough to protect your future self?
Just keep emphasizing how hormones make you YOUNGER visually and internally. People respond to looking younger. The real promise of it, rather than the random expensive lie of a facial cream. Speaking as someone on HRT for 14 years, who had two babies in her forties using only HRT, not IVF…HRT makes you younger! (Take methylfolate also…NOT folic acid!) ❤️
I get the comments on the online telehealth for hormones HOWEVER trying to find a doctor to prescribe HRT is almost impossible, if doctors would actually prescribe we wouldn’t need to resort to the online option. They personally helped me out so much after not being able to find a doctor that would prescribe in my area. That really needs to change
Thank you Dr Gersh for expressing your concern about the growing abundance of people and businesses dispensing hormones online without even seeing and examining the patient or even having a through conversation about their history, lifestyle and current symptoms! I wonder how they are legally “practicing medicine” and why they are not being shut down and fined by the FDA and medical licensing authorities. It seems either a practitioner either won’t prescribe HRT or they are part of a “hormone dispensing factory” that provides low or no quality of medical care at a high financial and health cost to women. Thank you for the work you are doing to educate and to provide high quality health care and HRT to women!
I have been to two OB/GYN doctors who both denied me HRT, and said they couldn't help me. These online companies are the only way I was able to find help and my insurance covers it! It might not be a permanent solution, but at least I have relief of some of my symptoms until I can find a menopause specialist to help monitor me through this.
I would be very interested to hear if Doctor Gersh has ever done any serious studies about the negative effects of a plant based diet on hormone production. Dr. Kiltz, for example, has helped hundreds if not thousands of women who were struggling with infertility by suggesting that they convert from a vegetarian or vegan diet to a keto or carnivore diet. I am not a scientist but it appears that fat and cholesterol are critical for optimal hormone production.
Great interview with Dr Gersh.I have followed her cycling hormone protocol with great success for years. I am approaching 70 and could not imagine life without hormones. I take my progesterone for 2 weeks out of every month. I have a light bleed for around 3 days. I am on a static dose of the estradiol 0.1 patch .I am hearing in this interview that possibly changing up the estradiol dosing may be more beneficial. I am hoping that someone may shed some light on what that estradiol dosing would be. I know that it is important to not stop the estradiol like we do with the progesterone. It would easy enough to wear a lower dose patch for a week or add another patch for a few days at a time. Any feedback would be great!
I am 67. 10 years on Wiley protocol/rhythmic dosing. My Estradiol is much higher doses than what the patch delivers. My periods last 4-5 days. Heavy on days 2-3. I think the progesterone cream on Wiley is about 400 mg. It’s a different doses days 14-28. Love Felice Gersh. She is doing wonders for women.
Thank you for sharing. Wow. 70 and still cycling. I am happy to hear it's working out for you. From my training at the Institute of Bioidentical Medicine, we learned that our skin receptors may change as we age and our dosage may need to be tweaked. Talk to your doctor about how you are feeling and get your hormones tested along with other biomarkers (cardiovascular, thyroid, bone, ultrasound, etc.). This should shed light for your doctor on if and how to tweak your formula.
Suzanne Somers advocated for cycling hormones.. Progesterone taken at a certain date of the month. When I got pregnant with my first son I went by the rhythm method. It was a method that women did birth control in the 50’s and 60’s. But I reversed it. Therefore, by doing that, I learned when I was ovulating. I had my cycles every 28 days. Why can’t that be a normal cycle just like during the years of actual cycles? I know Suzanne passed away from breast cancer but I don’t know if she had enough iodine to counter her breast cancer. I still believe that balance is the key😊
Wonderful interview as always Zora! I totally understand the rationale and benefits for cyclic mht in menopause, but that means a monthly bleed. I personally just won't do it this way, so happy to never have periods again 😂
The introduction must be for another video, not for this hormone video. As it was a long introduction, I was very confused if this was what I am expecting to hear. I was glad to see Dr. Gersh afterward.
Thank you for the feedback. I was testing out a longer introduction to see how this worked, but now it seems it was just too long. Sorry about that. I am keeping them much shorter now.
Goodness I would love to know how much estrogen she gives to menopausal women at different times of the month, like an actual dosage example. I understand it’s different for each patient but a ballpark range would be so helpful to bring to my doctor! Also, I’m not menopausal yet, still in perimenopause. Does she elaborate on different hormonal regimens for perimenopausal women anywhere?id love an example or a range! Thanks for this episode.
I was also curious about the actual dosing and rhythm. There was a woman in our Facebook group Biohacking Menopause who posted what her regime is. You can look for it here : facebook.com/groups/biohackingwomen50 Or DM me and I can try to locate it for you.
Thank you for this content! It's a sea of contradictory info out here:-) This interview validates my experiences and instincts on this subject. Blessings!
You're right. Its a sea of contradictory information. This generation of women really need to read up as much as we can and try to inform ourselves. Then make a shared informed decision with our doctors. Best of luck and keep me posted if you need more guidance. Are you aware of our women's only support group Biohacking Menopause?
Very interesting! I turn 54 this summer and have been on HRT (when not pregnant) since 40. It has been so helpful. Recently, I get a days long headache toward the end of every period. Knowing that estradiol helps with that, but having one doctor tell me that it’s bad to take estradiol continuously during bleeding because it might cause endometrial cancer, it is wonderful to hear that I can take it on those horrible days when a migraine is coming on…even if I’m bleeding. If I’m bleeding regularly, how could an overgrowth of endometrial cells be happening anyway?? Hopefully, this month will be a no migraine month.
Dr Gersh is a Superstar 🌟 I'm now on 125mcg static dose patch, what a beaurocratic struggle to even get up to that. I'm taking progesterone 25 out of 28 days. I'm in the UK Dr Gersh, but I'd love to be part of any near-physiologic dosing trials you do 💛 Thank you both so much for this interesting and very informative discussion 😊xx
Hi there, I'm in the UK as well (Manchester) and I absolutely love Dr Gersh I have a friend that's her patient in CA. I watched all her videos and I loved when Dr Louise Newson interviewed her recently. The UK needs more Doctors to be willing to take the risks for unorthodox treatments benefiting patients and not just following the government guidance because it doesn't work equally for every women ❤😊
I have a question, 125 mcg is 0.125mg - in US patches go up to 0.1 mg which is 100mcg so would 125mcg stull considered a low dose? Also, how much progesterone do you take daily? Micronized form?
@@Always-xl9db hi, here in the UK, the maximum licensed patch is also 100mcg, so I have 2 patches to be up to 125mcg. Doctors here consider that to be a 'very high dose'and wildly dangerous. In reality, it's only just giving me adequate bone protection and relieving hot flushes. They're all low doses compared to what we produced naturally for decades. There's a disconnect between the medical perception and the woman's lived experience. Yes, I'm also on 300mg of micronised progesterone, vE, and testosterone gel, which is very helpful and was also a drama to get. I'm very grateful to be able to have what I do have, my mother suffered terribly after menopause, so I'm better equipped than she could be. But there's a mindset amongst doctors which is a huge roadblock to women. Apologies for the rant, I hope I've answered your questions, 🤗xx
@@cintiaspataro3205 hi, completely agree with you 😊 it's a very strange thing trying to get HRT which can help so much, yet GPs can't see the individual needs of the patient in front of them. They need the patient to fit the dose instead of the other way around. Yes, I love Dr Louise Newson too, she's fantastic for women 💛
I am so happy you enjoyed this episode and found it useful. Did you know you have a chance to meet Dr. Gersh in our private womens only membership group Biohacking Menopause? We are still very small, so we all get an intimate moment with our guest experts.
This is a personal decision that must be discussed with your doctor. Personally, I take progesterone on days 14 to 28 (or bleed) of my cycle. Each doctor has their method. If you feel good taking progesterone every night and your doctor believes its ok for you, why not?
I was on Biest for 7 years 1.25 no levels ever drawn so asked and estrogen was 557. Two docs thought ok and NP said get off. DEXA scan after broke femur showed no change in 7 years but osteopenia and -2.5 spine. I am sure this had to be because of the estrogen but changed to patch 2 months ago .05 and estrogen now 47. After listening to this feel I need to increase dose. I have never had symptoms only take for bones.
It’s so hard to look past all the scaremongering - and there’s still conflicting information online - as if the diet wars were not enough, now we have the hormone wars!
An interesting conversation! I have been through the wringer the past 5 years with seeing all kinds of different doctors including gynecologists, and also naturopathic doctors. No one seems to be taking my suffering seriously! They just want to rush through the appointment as fast as possible, and aren't interested in getting to the bottom of my health problems. I am coming to learn, by doing my own research, that my problems are due to menopause! I have so many symptoms, including pain, that affect me on a daily basis, and I'm coming to the end of my rope. I feel like I can't deal with how terrible I feel every day anymore! I tried to get the e-book mentioned, but when I went to that page on her website, the link doesn't work. So I was not able to download the book. Disappointing!
The optimal dose depends. It isnt an easy answer. If your objective is to relieve hot flashes, it's one thing. If you're looking to lower the risk of osteoporosis it's another. In addition, what an optimal dose for feeling better for one woman, may be too low or too high for another. It isn't quite that simple. Also, are you referring to estradiol or estriol? Perhaps you can send me a DM and I can guide you better.
The optimal dose depends. It isnt an easy answer. If your objective is to relieve hot flashes, it's one thing. If you're looking to lower the risk of osteoporosis it's another. In addition, what an optimal dose for feeling better for one woman, may be too low or too high for another. It isn't quite that simple. Also, are you referring to estradiol or estriol? Perhaps you can send me a DM and I can guide you better.
I live in the Netherlands and also it’s not by insurance. It is a struggle to find the right dosis. I am on and of ‘Femoston’ 1/10 or 2/10 but I have to stop sometimes said my doctor and see . I gain weight and feel bloated so I stoped the Femoston and have my period I am 52 and with the hormones I don’t have my period,, now I quit the HRT I have my period??? So maby I still make naturally oestrogen?
I am so happy you enjoyed this episode and found it useful. Did you know you have a chance to meet Dr. Gersh in our private womens only membership group Biohacking Menopause? We are still very small, so we all get an intimate moment with our guest experts.
I know i've been on two low dose of estrogen since I started the replacement therapy. This information is fabulous, and thank you. I had to have my uterus removed twelve years ago. I still have my ovaries, so would the dosag be the same?
Thanks for the feedback. The dosage of your estrogen and progesterone (yes, you can take progesterone even without a uterus) should be the same as everyone else. If you think you are on too low of a dosage of HRT, then you should really bring this to your doctors attention.
Here in Europe, basically only progestins are prescribed with estradiol, not the micronised progesterone. Wonder why this is… in this case, is it still true that some hormone is better than no hormone? I am just about to start HRT, just turned 50, and really having a hard time finding a doctoe that is willing to talk or prescribe progesterone. I am offered medroxyprogesterone acetate, or oral combination pill, or an IUD with esteadiol gel. Not sure which one is best. As of symptoms, my periods are lighter, have been late with 3 in the last 8 months, bad sleep and mood, no sex drive. No hot flashes though
Standard of care is similar in many countries. Many doctors may start with a similar dosage and then share how to self titrate up or down to find the optimal dosage for each woman. Unfortunately, we all absorb our hormones differently. Does this make sense?
Lord I wish I’d have known what my levels were when I felt my best in my 30’s. I’m only 50 , but now post menopause due to hysterectomy at 38. Labs said 6.8 two months ago for my estradiol. Not wonder I feel like crap. No hot flashes, but bone pain and lethargy and hair loss.
Hi, Good question. I get water retention and feel puffy after Biote pellets . I am at a level 8 and the lowest if a level 6. I been on this for 7 years. Maybe my body changing? what do you think? I am 61 years old now and my doctor said if you had water weight gain when I was younger that this is the same thing.
I started HRT a month ago. I'm on estrogel 0.06 % and still have hot flashes. I take 100mg progesterone daily. Can I switch to 200mg for 15 days on and 15 days off. I'm 60. Also on vagifem. I'm going to ask for testosterone. I have severe osteoporosis. I tried to get HRT for 10 years.
This iscexactly the way i was using est, prog each month until i was taken off - now have multiple skin problems, sleep probs and old myofasc stifness has returned. Very disappointed
This is very interesting to me. I do get bad cramps if I use more than .50 Estradiol though. My doctor said that it is because of scarring from Endometriosis, the estrogen triggers the cramps.
Would it make a difference if you are on static doses to change the time you took it eg. 21 days estradiol in the morning and progesterone at night and then 8 days estradiol in the afternoon and kept progesterone at night. Just wondering🤔
Its tricky to cycle estradiol and I have yet to meet a doctor who does this. Most of them like their patients to be on estradiol continuously. Some doctors may say stop all hormones for a few days, but that's the most I heard. When it comes to progesterone, there are a lot of methods out there. Probably best to talk to your doctor and ask if you can experiment with different methods to find the one that works best for you.
Hello Dr. F G! I sooo appreciate your biological teaching. I started 0,05 DOT 2 months ago asked for an increase for s higher dose, received an RX for 0.07. I had a Hyst/Oph years ago.. recently.had CT-angiogram, to check calcification...came back good. I know you mention having a dose that will be high enough to hit the receptors..what .would, a dose . like 1.0 or more be a REAL DOSE??.. Whimpy dose is a waste on all considerations!! I am a healthy 77 year old..PS,,,not asking for you to write an RX...just what your opinion is and in GENERAL be!! THANK YOU, Pamela James, San Antonio
I am sure this will be very hard for Dr. Gersh to answer. Most doctors I interview do not recommend dosages. Some of them recommend what they want to see in a urine or blood test for our sex hormones. Remember, that we all absorb differently. It's not what we take that's important. It's what we absorb. Does that make sense? I can share some numbers of dosages/blood results of what some of these doctors recommend, if you like. Send me an email to zora@hackmyage.com
PS..I have testo cream 0.5 X 2 daily.. I use it once a week, because I do not have a good guide...but an RX from a doctor. I have been using estrodial cream for vaginal care on my face for many years twice a month.. I am going to go to once a week..I do note that my breast can feel the estro-cream. My skin looks good.. THANK YOU!!
Thanks for the feedback. Keep us posted on how the cream works for the face. Keep in mind that some, not all women, have a rise in their estrogen levels when using estradiol or estriol on their face. We aren't supposed to put globs on our faces. Personally, I just rub the excess amount from my hands on to my face. It's the same dosage I would normally take. Just excess goes on the face.
I have women in our community who have effectively used bioidentical hormones when they have endometriosis. Ask your doctor about bioidentical progesterone. It should counteract the effects of estrogen (your doctor likely would be prescribing estradiol), that may be thickening the lining of your uterus making your symptoms more painful. I hope this helps. DM me if you need more explanation or resources for your doctor.
@@hackmyage Super helpful, thank you very much. Yes, I'm on 200mg progesterone and just started .25 estradiol patch and hope to get 6 month ultra sounds just to make sure all is good. Thanks again, really appreciate the responce.
What do you suggest for progesterone intolerance? I can’t tolerate even the lowest dose progesterone 100mg at night. It makes me drowsy, exhausted, moody and teary. I change it for vaginal insert for 10 days now, feeling better but not sure the dose ballpark… I am afraid to discuss it with my provider because he may just take me off HRT 😢. What’s the recommended dose for cyclical vaginal dose of progesterone?
I am so sorry that we have to be afraid of our doctors removing our HRT. Don't worry. If this happens, there are plenty of other doctors and ways to get our HRT. Regarding the progesterone, you can try a compounded progesterone at 50mg or lower. Have you tried transdermal progesterone cream? It's hard to recommend a recommended dosage of any kind of hormone, because it doesn't matter what we take. It matters what we ABSORB. We are all different. So, you need to figure out how to self titrate to figure out your optimal dosage and the test when you are feeling good. I have a chart on how to self titrate in the Biohacking Menopause Facebook group (not page). Check it out!
You will want to hear the episode I did with Dr. Doug Lucas or search for his videos here on RU-vid. Generally, we want strength training and impact exercises. Lifting heavy weights, jumping on to a box (start low and slow), jogging, lifting a barbell over our heads, wall balls, etc.
Can a woman who was on Premarin 30 years ago, had breast cancer and now is seeing advanced aging benefit from something like Climera pro or and Estradiol patch?
You will have to discuss this with your doctor about the risks vs benefits. Generally, we learned in my Institute of Bioidentical Medicine training that a woman who is properly treated for menopause should have a lower risk of cancer recurrence when on bioidentical hormone therapy vs those who had breast cancer properly treated and are not on hormones. I recommend you read Estrogen Matters by Avrum Bluming and The Great Menopause Myth by Kristin Johnson and Maria Claps before you meet the doctor to catch up to speed.
Hello. I’m not a doctor, but I am madly researching everything HRT. What I have found is that even if you do not have symptoms, you’re still lacking estrogen so you do not have the protection from the major diseases. I don’t have hot flashes, but I do have other things that I had no idea or related to menopause. I follow her approach. I did however, lack enthusiasm about day-to-day things and music just didn’t sound as good. After getting on estradiol, it was like a light switch was turned on. I could enjoy life again. I was almost like flatlined. So what I’m reading is that everyone should be on it before and during menopause.
The answer would be yes. Even the scare study only included women with no symptomology so no one would know if they received actual or placebo. The estrogen only group (using the horse urine estrogen) showed a decrease in breast cancer. Even with no symptoms, the loss of hormones ups your chances of osteoporosis, heart attacks/strokes and dementia/alzheimers.
Thank you for replying. I agree that women who do not have symptoms still are going through menopause and should watch their health, hormones and other biomarkers regardless. You're right that the body is still changing and it would behoov us to still take care of our health. Too often, women only associate menopause with hot flashes/night sweats and that's about it. There are over 100 symptoms of menopause that we may not even think are related to the loss of our hormones.
This is a personal decision. I encourage all women regardless of what they feel to have the menopause discussion with their doctor and discuss the risks vs benefits of taking hormones and NOT taking hormones. I agree with @MariaArcenia who commented below, that women who do not have symptoms still are going through menopause and should watch their health, hormones and other biomarkers regardless. The body is still changing and it would behoove us to still take care of our health. Too often, women only associate menopause with hot flashes/night sweats and that's about it. There are over 100 symptoms of menopause that we may not even think are related to the loss of our hormones.
Walking is still very effective. It’s better than nothing at all for some of us.. So on that note 👎🏻 Never dis anything .. it’s ur opinion only .. don’t forget that any movement is better than none plus it’s a meditation.. Muscles are formed by using.. Not really into your talk at the start .. 😼
Thanks for sharing. It's common to feel even worse on hormones, but that doesn't mean they don't work. It's a matter of finding the right dosage and delivery method for you. Will you give it another chance or are you done?
Aw. I am sorry you don't like this. I love this word, but understand not everyone may be a fan. Thanks for letting me know. I made a mental note for you.
@@darleneharrington5204 you’d rather suffer from the consequences of not replacing your hormones like heart disease, dementia and becoming weak and frail? Nursing homes are a nightmare.
It isn't natural to take thyroid hormones for thyroid disease, insulin for diabetes or have heart surgery. It isn't natural to artificially prolong our lives. But people still benefit from doing this and may live long healthy lives. But everyone is different and has the choice to live as they like. No judgement or moral ground.
In past years peopledied alot ealier than 75yeqrs of age. Now they live until their mid 80's and beyond and that means living even longer without estrogen. Almost half your life without estrogen whereas before it was only a third of your life.More people coming down with dementia at those ages too. I guess you have to decide for yourself. Osteoporosis, heart disease and dementia at 75 or 85? I would rather hold off until later to get any of these diseases.
I am happy you enjoyed it. We have Dr. Gersh joining us for a live Q and A with our intimate Biohacking Menopause womens only support group. It's still small and we get to meet her to ask your own questions. Check it out here; biohacking-menopause.mn.co
