by drjudy » Sat Jul 30, 2005 11:27 am
Hi Judi,
Your decision about what to take, or not take, for menopause hinges a lot on what your goals are. You mentioned night sweats and then went on to say that despite that you felt rested with lots of energy. If this is your only complaint, perhaps you need nothing. Other common symptoms of menopause that women tend to discount (instead only noting the much talked about hot flash thing) are joint aches, anxiety, depression, and trouble with short term memory. I often find that women will declare that they are doing fine with menopause (i.e. no hot flashes) but will agree that they have many of the other troubles, all of which respond to estrogen therap.
Activella is a combination product that includes estradiol and a progestogen called norethindrone. The former is the estrogen molecule that works all the magic of estrogen on our bodies, the latter is added to balance the effect of estrogen on our uterus. Progestogens tend to be the hormone that women hate to take--it causes breast tenderness, mood changes, and can counteract some of the benficial effects of estrogen on heart and brain. Norethindrone is one of the best choices. Natural progesterone, as in compounded products or Prometrium, is better in some respects, but some women, myself included, get quite sleepy from it or dizzy.
Not everyone responds to testosterone with an increased libido. In fact, I find very few women respond to it. The lack of libido is so distressing and difficult to treat. Activella could increase vaginal moisture which can help increase interest.
Best wishes,
Judy