So, Italy, it sounds like you were already sufficient in Progesterone, and needed estrogen.  I don't think it's a "one size fits all" with hormones, any more than with food.  It's very individual.

I thought I would cut through the confusion and guesswork last year and I got a BLOOD test to find my testosterone and estrogen.  It showed my estrodial was low,  and my testosterone was in the low normal range.  

Then I took the SALIVA test the same month, and it showed my testosterone was slightly elevated, my progesterone was in the high normal range and my estrodial was slightly high.

So I'm even more puzzled!

Victoria...do you think that this is a good idea= new year, new appartamento, new old car .... and new man
for a better and increase of such *libido*....

ok...I'll give a try thanks for your support

but I'll stay away from getting him into my new-old flat don't want that he might think he could stay more than for some hours  

Quoted from Victoria

So, Italy, it sounds like you were already sufficient in Progesterone, and needed estrogen.  I don't think it's a "one size fits all" with hormones, any more than with food.  It's very individual.

I thought I would cut through the confusion and guesswork last year and I got a BLOOD test to find my testosterone and estrogen.  It showed my estrodial was low,  and my testosterone was in the low normal range.  

Then I took the SALIVA test the same month, and it showed my testosterone was slightly elevated, my progesterone was in the high normal range and my estrodial was slightly high.

So I'm even more puzzled!

I don't know that I was sufficient w/ progesterone, I just think I didn't give it enough time to work. Then again maybe I was okay in the progesterone area, I just really don't know. My NP is really against estrogen replacement and as he's been right in some many things so far, maybe I should have given it more time. However, as it had been 2 mths of no sleep, weeping, mood swings, HOT FLASHES, etc, etc, I was jez a bit impatient for some relief.

I believe I just had my testosterone and estrogen checked in my last bloodwork, so will have to dig that out and check it. Where would you get a saliva test for these things?

Here's one for the guys..............we women and our hormones are a little hard to figure out. .   Bet I won't get a lot of guys disagreeing w/ that comment, huh?  

Italy,
Where I live, only Naturopaths do the saliva tests.  MD's only do the blood tests.  

This may not be relevant now, but for those moods, weeping, etc.:

Motherwort is calming for menopausal women... also helps with hot flashes.  Just avoid during period if still having them.  It can temporarily increase flow.

Vitex is great for hormonally based mood swings....menopausal as well as pms.

Black Cohosh is good for hot flashes, and is also said to increase bone density with regular use.  Good to take a break after each bottle, for a few weeks.

I'm thinking of posting another thread to the attention of any ND's, scientists, nurses, etc. to see if we can figure out how to actually read our hormone levels if the blood test and saliva test differ so much.  Not today, though.  I'll wait a bit and see if anyone who knows, will pick up this query and give us an answer.

Quoted from ISA-MANUELA

Victoria...do you think that this is a good idea= new year, new appartamento, new old car .... and new man
for a better and increase of such *libido*....

ok...I'll give a try thanks for your support

but I'll stay away from getting him into my new-old flat don't want that he might think he could stay more than for some hours  

1.  new year:  You have that.
2.  new/old car:  You have that.
3.  new apartment:  Do you have one yet??
4.  new man:  !!!    Do you have one of these, yet??

Victoria,
Were your blood and saliva tests done at the same time of the month? Might that effect it?

3. yyyyyyyeeeeessssss..... in 2 days I'll have the key.....  

4. noooooooooooooooooooo because of    I think until now no need ...huh
but I asked for your opignion...if this might fit or be well to increase whatsoever  

Isa, the new man works but is temporary. Jayney-0

Quoted from plhartless

Victoria,
Were your blood and saliva tests done at the same time of the month? Might that effect it?

That's a good question.  The tests were done two weeks apart.  I wonder if it matters with someone who had not had monthly periods in a couple of years.

Quoted from ISA-MANUELA

3. yyyyyyyeeeeessssss..... in 2 days I'll have the key.....  

4. noooooooooooooooooooo because of    I think until now no need ...huh
but I asked for your opignion...if this might fit or be well to increase whatsoever  

Great about your new apartment, Isa!!  Keep talking to us as you transition your life.  A lot of changes are in the air!  

New things are exciting, and may certainly increase your libido!  I agree with JayneyO.   New excitements are only temporary because soon they aren't new anymore.

HOWEVER, if your lack of libido is because you haven't been happy in your circumstances.  Then this may be the change you need to get on a new and healthy track and enjoy life again, with all that life brings your way.  

Be happy   Blessings on your move.    

Gals,

I like this thread very much but..... why don't most of you state your AGE in your profile???? Cheryl, Jayney, Italybound and I are open about this  

Why don't you state your age ladies??? Something to hide????  

And talking about libido, no problems whatsoever with that so far
More problems in the male department...

However, after my emotional hectic year in which I divorced and I am quite happy with myself at the moment. I must not think of it, having a guy 'around'   now..
Too busy sorting out my own life, in which I am successful I think..
with lots of support, fun, sharing and caring around here!!!

Just my 2 cents in this awesome thread!!

Cocky soooo looking forward to her Samos holiday with the BTD-gang!!

Cocky,
Are you still around?  Would you happen to know the best way to get hormone levels tested?  And why there is such a discrepancy between the scores of blood test vs. saliva test?
And one N.D. in town prefers urine tests for hormones.
What do you think?

Victoria..... Victoria...... just get Vega-tested ...just right on the track and sure as lab's work
and thanks for your opinion

Victoria,

About this testing of levels. I had it done some years ago, but my MD told me that testing is a momentary situation.. A day later situation can be different.
My levels were okay. And if you consider testing,  it must be repeated after a while, to be able to compare levels..

I really do not know if saliva or urine testing is better.
Perhaps Isa can shed her light.


BTW how old are you Victoria???  

I think that emotional support by partners play an important role in these hormonal levels as well.
I take FEMbalance every day and that during more than 1 year.. I feel great!
Although I had my last period in september 2005. Hhhmmm.. so I think I must be about perimenopausal, but.... no irritating symptoms like hot flashes, no waking up at night.. No way, I sleep more than 8 hours and like a baby...
I do assume I am an exception perhaps?? Or maybe I am not as yet in menopause..  I did and do experience emotional upheavals now andthen,that I fight with St. Johns Wort... This is more due to my divorce I think..
Friends of mine are in menopause for more than 8 years already.. They are terribly 'irritated' by my good, sound sleep and absence of hot flashes.. I tell them it is the Diet that makes adjusts my body to allegedly menopausal symptoms!!!   Better!!

I must admit that since on the diet as from 1999 (I was then 45) my periods came back with monthly frequency and were heavier than ever before!
But now since 1 year I am really very irregular..
But with FEMbalance this Femme is in Balance!!!

Take care and stay balanced!!

Cocky not terribly bothered by menopause yet!!

I did ask my ND about hormone testing, and her response was, that she could tell what needed treatment by my symptoms, not from the results of a test.

Like Cocky said, a test, any lab test, really, is just a snapshot of that day and like bloodwork, it is really the trends visible over time that is valuable.

...Just my two cents on the subject.  

And for Cocky... I am 44 years old   and  experiencing the other side of the libido issue, as many women do in their 40's.    Although, I am not complaining, but it can be a little bothersome at times...  

ok cocky, I am 58, and have not had a period for about 3 years actually.  I don't put my age out there generally because I find that there is some age related prejudices in the world, and I am really about 45 in terms of health and mind.

Anyway, back to the hormones.  I did not really have any problems that herbs could not handle until I had been more than 2 years past my periods.  Then things got confusing.  On a fulll-body level, not just isolated symptoms such as hot flashes, moods, etc.  I just suddenly felt that my body had changed and I didn't feel at home in it anymore.

Victoria,

It was not at all my goal to put labels on people, only in this matter of menopause age can make a difference.

When I had my third baby I had some hormonal problems. I was then 35 years old.
My MD told me then I might have entered menopause already
The look I gave him then,   never made him make any suggestion in that direction again....

I think I am lucky up till now regarding menopause..
I just want to stress that  hormons are subject to nutrition, emotional support, stress, relational problems.. Too many to mention.
Herbs can alleviate the symptoms.
Well I am 52 for a month now, and do not know what the coming years will be like.
My mom did suffer from hot flashes at a certain age at night. Menopausal problems can be 'inherited' I am told..
I do not know. I think we have to 'live' it..  

take care and stay 'cool'  
Cocky

Cocky,
I hope you continue to have a Great Change!  
My mother said hers was a piece of cake!  My grandmother, on the other hand, took to her bed, and declared that her life was over, and she would never get out of bed again!!   Fortunately that didn't last long.

You're right, of course about all the factors affecting how our bodies adapt to it.  I think I'm doing pretty good on all those fronts.  Just taking it a day at a time.  Most days are great, some are challenging and a few are downright tough.

Thanks for your reply.

Victoria,

I do try live by the day.. Live in the now. And when I experience a terrible off-day I think of it as being on the bottom, no worse day is possible, so the  next day must be better..
And this works.. The next day the sun shines again..

Try not to be 'overwhelmed' by your sadness, unease, irritations or whatever.
What I do is going out, walking, biking, and I always feel so much better when coming home again.. Contact with nature makes me feel so good, so at home.

Try to focus on things outside of yourself, talk to others and exchange feelings..
This always prevents me from 'drowning' in my own feelings...

Well, just my 2 cents..

Cocky, always going out when the sun shines

At this point in my 'pause, my problems with it are physical, and not emotional.

Not much of any trouble to speak of with hot flashes.  I take chinese herbs for cooling, plus vitex and black cohosh.

I don't have problems with depression or weeping.

I just have sleep disturbances low energy and aching joints.  I've been sharing about my shoulder problems on another thread, but just in general, my body doesn't feel as comfortable as it used to.  I was a yoga teacher for over 20 years, and I still have a flexible body and normal weight, but I don't feel that awesome sense of wellness I had before the 'pause.  

Of course, sometimes I forget that I went through chemo and radiation 3 yr. ago, and I'm still recovering from that.  Most of my struggles may relate more to that than change of life.

It's two steps forward and one step back.  (But I'm grateful for the steady gains!)

The Cockepelli is becoming very wise  good statement

infp goes to ENTJ = bravooooooo with love and real respect to you...truly yours amiga

                                    Isa the Tomatilla I.

Cocky,
I got up this morning and read your words of wisdom again.  This time, I read them with an open mind instead of an uptight and anxious overwhelmed mind.

And, you know what???

This time it sunk in.  Thanks for the light on the path girlfriend!  

Forget ageism...with us boomers, old is cool...60 is the new 40.So at 58 I am hoping to find my libido again (for my husband's sake....if nothing else) but other than that my Pause is going okay...more importantly i am very young inside....I think the kids at the high school I teach at keep me in a younger frame of mind....Jayney-0

ps. To be honest, I've had sleep issues for many years that you could attribute to the pause...OR, to my way of eating, because they are gone now.....!