Hmmm What about the Wife?

[ktmsmith'swife]

My IUD does use progestin not copper. I am going to try to figure out my cycle by tracking any cramping which I do occasionally have but since I only have one ovary it may take a couple of months to determine my cycle. I have been on HRT for 4 months now and no longer have any breast tenderness which I believe I used to get when I was about to ovulate so I will have to rely on the cramping and keep a calendar. I have purchased 2 of Suzane Somers books and hope to get through them completely very soon. I will look for Reiss books today.

I saw in one of your posts that you were going to put up something about where all the hormone levels should be. I would love to know your thoughts on the range for these which you believe will result in the most balanced life. I know things are moving in the right direction because of the positive effects I have already seen. This may not sound like a big deal to alot of people on this site because they are much more fit than I am but we have been working out including cardio and weights and for the first time in my life I was able to do 3 sets of 12 push ups and I have very wimpy arms so I am looking forward to increasing my overall muscle and becoming a toned happy healthy lady who does not look 48!

Other positive effects I have already experienced include the cessation of pain from fibrocystic breasts, increased libido (a little), great sleep, increased strength, better memory and a general feeling of well being. I can't wait to see what being balanced completely will bring to my life.

Thanks for all your answers, it is great to hear from those who have actually done it.

[PPC]

My IUD does use progestin not copper. I am going to try to figure out my cycle by tracking any cramping which I do occasionally have but since I only have one ovary it may take a couple of months to determine my cycle. I have been on HRT for 4 months now and no longer have any breast tenderness which I believe I used to get when I was about to ovulate so I will have to rely on the cramping and keep a calendar. I have purchased 2 of Suzane Somers books and hope to get through them completely very soon. I will look for Reiss books today.

I saw in one of your posts that you were going to put up something about where all the hormone levels should be. I would love to know your thoughts on the range for these which you believe will result in the most balanced life. I know things are moving in the right direction because of the positive effects I have already seen. This may not sound like a big deal to alot of people on this site because they are much more fit than I am but we have been working out including cardio and weights and for the first time in my life I was able to do 3 sets of 12 push ups and I have very wimpy arms so I am looking forward to increasing my overall muscle and becoming a toned happy healthy lady who does not look 48!

Other positive effects I have already experienced include the cessation of pain from fibrocystic breasts, increased libido (a little), great sleep, increased strength, better memory and a general feeling of well being. I can't wait to see what being balanced completely will bring to my life.

Thanks for all your answers, it is great to hear from those who have actually done it.

Awesome progress on the push ups! You go girl! Sounds like you have already made many improvements.

As to levels. Each women is so unique, there are no cookie cutter optimals. In his book, Dr Uzzi Riess talks about female body types and how the way we are built will greatly determine where our "sweet spot" hormone levels will rest. On the whole, curvy women, those with greater hip, waist, bust ratios may need a whole lot more estrogen than more athletic type women. These females probably made more estrogen during their developing years as estrogen is the hormone that stimulated the growth of our breasts and hips. Curvy women often find menopause horrible, since they endure bigger losses.

Natural athletes and dancers usually have more testosterone than the rest of us. We know this because higher levels of testosterone enable, balance, muscle tone and endurance. So they may feel best at the top of the range while someone like me (more curvy) will feel only aggressive with super high T levels.

Progesterone, again it's so unique for each women. High progesterone can cause bloating, drowsiness and weight gain in one women while for another those same levels reduce anxiety, allow better sleep and shed water weight!!! But there are some general guidelines to follow.

Estrogen: Below 100, you are not getting enough brain, skin and bone support. Some women never need much higher levels than 100, but below that depression can creep in. Estrogen increases serotonin so that helps with a more positive mood. Most docs think 250 is about the limit when supplementing with an exogenous source but young women often peak out near 400 naturally. Many blood lab levels are age adjusted and while 200 may look high on paper it may not be too high for the individual.

Testosterone: I've read where they have measured Olympic female athletes who have natural T levels around 100. I''m not a doctor but I'm surmising that most athletic women would probably feel great anywhere from 60-100 for total T. Lower T body types might do just fine from 40-70.

Progesterone: A women who is still menstruating should have a progesterone level of at least 12 after day 14 of her cycle to ensure a long enough luteal phase and a mature uterine lining that can shed properly. But it's important to know that in the first two weeks of a woman's cycle, female P levels are negligible, about the same as male levels. They shoot up after ovulation. Dr Uzzi Reiss believes between 18-24 gives the ultimate in uterine and breast protection. It's harder for menopausal women to get P levels anywhere close to that with supplementation. You are taking a hefty dose and you got to 9. Most Docs think between 5-15 is fine for a women on BHRT since her E levels will likely be lower than a young women ovulating naturally.

These are only my thoughts but I hope they help you somehow.

[Gonzo877]

Thanks to all for putting this info out there!!!! My wife has had alot of the symptoms for years(since giving birth to our last child) she has no energy, low libido, can't sleep at night and foggy memory. We have discussed in the past that we thought it possibly could be hormonal but after reading this thread I'm almost convinced that it is.

I need to find a Doc. that has an open mind to the above treatments... Anyone know of any in or around the Houston, Texas area that will not break the bank??

Again thanks for the information, Great Stuff!!!

[Moparman]

Great post. Lots of good info here

[pappybay]

I haven't been able to find any good and affordable one's in TX, so I'm like you and work with one based in FL. I've already informed them we'll be including my wife now too, they are just waiting on her results.

Term, can you PM the one you are dealing with in Florida?

[Heels]

Wow, after reading this I need to do some research into my own hormones as well. I'm 33, and just had my first child 7 mo. ago. Libido is zilch, I'm tired often, and having sleep problems at night and having foggy memory as well. Its becoming a problem in my marriage, and I don't know why this is happening because I've always had a healthy libido before.

I know pregnancy throws everything crazy out of whack, but I'm not nursing anymore and its been 7 months. When should I see the doctor to determine if something is wrong or is this normal?

[SEOINAGE]

Wow, after reading this I need to do some research into my own hormones as well. I'm 33, and just had my first child 7 mo. ago. Libido is zilch, I'm tired often, and having sleep problems at night and having foggy memory as well. Its becoming a problem in my marriage, and I don't know why this is happening because I've always had a healthy libido before.

I know pregnancy throws everything crazy out of whack, but I'm not nursing anymore and its been 7 months. When should I see the doctor to determine if something is wrong or is this normal?

It is pretty common for hormones to go out of wack after stopping breastfeeding. You might want to give it a little time to see if things change. Also are you on any form of birth control? I know for my wife birth control hurt her libido, after our first child it started to come back but not fully, but after she had twins her libido was 10 times stronger than before, and even though it slowed down after stopping breastfeeding it was still much better. Sometimes these dramatic events can change your physiology, but it also doesn't necessarily make it permanent.

She's also experiencing sleep problems lately, eventually we want to get her blood work, at minimum to check if she is healthy, although she seems to be doing well now, when her libido was basically crushed for a couple years I was really concerned. So it is kind of a wait and see how she does kind of thing right now. I would suggest letting your body adapt and see where you end up in a few more months.

[bass]

Wow, after reading this I need to do some research into my own hormones as well. I'm 33, and just had my first child 7 mo. ago. Libido is zilch, I'm tired often, and having sleep problems at night and having foggy memory as well. Its becoming a problem in my marriage, and I don't know why this is happening because I've always had a healthy libido before.

I know pregnancy throws everything crazy out of whack, but I'm not nursing anymore and its been 7 months. When should I see the doctor to determine if something is wrong or is this normal?

good on you Heels for taking charge of your health and taking the time to look into it, it shows how much care about you husband and your marriage. we are here to help inform you so don't hesitate to ask any questions you may have, simply start your own threads and everyone will chime in. best of luck to you on your journey to a better life.

[hisexywife]

I am pretty simple...injecting T has made sex amazing!