After having a hysterectomy 2 years ago (still have my ovaries) I remain "periomenopausal" according to tests - meaning, from time to time I have symptoms of menopause, but nothing dramatic. However, my last bone density test showed I'm a candidate for osteoporosis, and I've been having hair and skin problems, so I'd like to address hormone imbalance. As sensitive as I am, I cannot imagine what synthetic hormone replacement would do to me. So I've checked into "natural estrogens". Problem is... seems like none of them are beneficial to a Type O. Unless my info is incorrect?

Here are the herbs that are considered natural estrogen promoters. Would appreciate any feedback from other O's:

Anise
Dong Quai
Fennel
Fenugreek
Ginseng
Licorice (this one seems to be the best candidate)
Primrose Oil
Red Clover
Sage
Suma
Wild Yam

Has anyone in this forum had a good experience with any of these herbs?

Lynn

have you looked into bio identical hormones?
a compound chemist can design the right dosage for you.

http://www.stenlake.com.au/showdocument.asp?DocumentID=55

http://www.womentowomen.com/bioidentical-hrt/bioidenticalhormones.asp

please check the maca thread...I'll visit it to keep it active...

jayney,
here s the link to the thread you bumped:
http://www.dadamo.com/cgi-bin/Blah/Blah.pl?b=GC,v=display,m=1166333770,s=25

Mellodrone,
It's not just about estrogen, but most especially progesterone, which is the hormone that dimishes first.  Estrogen dominance is the cause of a lot of serious health problems.  So seek to balance them and not just increase your estrogen.

At this point in your stages, you may get your needs met by use of
Vitex:  pro progesterone
Black Cohosh:  diminish hot flashes and increase bone strength
Eucommia Bark:  encourages bone density
Motherwort:  even moods during hormone swings (avoid during periods, may cause heavier bleeding)

Freshly ground flax seeds.  One of the best for preventing hot flashes.
Licorice can cause increased blood pressure, so use in small doses, or only for short periods of time.

"What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause" is a book worth reading.  By Dr. Lee M.D.

And I forgot to mention Maca, one of the best.  It provides the right type of nutrients for the endocrine system and tends to help the body self-regulate.  So it's not addressing particular hormones, but the side effect is that all hormones end up in better balance and you just feel better.  It's wonderful for menopause or even for men at the same age level, dealing with the stuff that the guys have to go through also.  

I'm taking Royal Maca.  HERE is the link.

call it an 'adaptogen', right?

That's probably right, Lola.  I tend to think of adaptogens as herbs that help the body deal with fatigue and/or extremes of weather, exertion, stress . . but hormone changes as in menopause could certainly qualify for all of the above!!!  **  

meaning they help stabilize whatever needs stabilizing.
either by upping or downing.......lol

I really wanted to start the maca and vitex but muscle tested negitive on the maca when I checked with my chiro. so am only on the vitex. Perhaps I will try again in a month or two. Another wonderful book is New Menopausal Years, The wise Woman Way...by Susan Weed. She puts forth so many alternative ideas. Do you all think that the maca would help my 20 year old daughter regulate her cycles?

One thing about all these herbs is that the use of them is not set in stone.  Since our bodies are constantly changing, especially when we are newly into our reproductive years, and when we are exiting them, what works one month may not work a few months later, and visa versa.  

Maca is relatively without negative side effects.  Just watch for any unpleasant changes such as increased pms or breast tenderness.  I think it's up to the individual body what it's going to do with the Maca.  It might be just what your daughter needs.  Or, it could be that your daughter would do better with Vitex and a chinese formula called Xaio Yao Wan.  

But try any new things one at a time for a few weeks so that you can understand the effects of each and you can tell what works and what doesn't.

Make sure she is getting enough protein.  Also enough sleep and not over-doing the exercise.

also getting enough good fats like olive oil and ghee.....

Oh my...my favourite subject!!! (I don't think!!)  

My question is...will these hot flushes ever leave me or is it possible for me to leave them!!! Either solution would suit me just fine  

I've been reading up on Maca, which is new to me and wonder if it would help me.
Have been taking black cohash for about 9 weeks now....Victoria, what's a good strength?? Am taking 165mgx2
And also some Progest E, but not able to use too much.
Taking Vit E 400IU.
Have stopped taking the Pure Rad C and flax seeds...made my bot sore!!
Still sweating too much every night....am drinking plenty of water and no avoids that would aggrevate this condition.

http://www.dadamo.com/protocols/21.html
I'd follow the right protocol for my type instead....

Quoted from Victoria

Mellodrone,It's not just about estrogen, but most especially progesterone, which is the hormone that dimishes first.

Exactly and most doctors only replace the estrogen, causing a huge hormone imbalance. This is what happened in my case and w/ having a total hysterectomy, it only made things worse.
Mellodrone, welcome to BTD and the forum
I would have a look into your adrenals. FWIU, your adrenals should kick in to replace what is needed. If they are fatigued, this will not happen. Have a look at this if you wish: http://www.drlam.com/A3R_brief_in_doc_format/adrenal_fatigue.cfm
Also a few other books that are helpful are:

Adrenal Fatigue: The 21st-Century Stress Syndrome by James L. Wilson, Jonathan V. Wright
http://www.amazon.com/Adrenal-.....ndrome/dp/1890572152

Your Body's Many Cries for Water by Fereydoon Batmanghelidj
http://www.amazon.com/Your-Bod.....-Water/dp/0962994235

Lights Out: Sleep, Sugar, and Survival by T. S. Wiley, Bent Formby
http://www.amazon.com/Lights-O.....rvival/dp/0671038680

The proper amount of water and truly restful sleep are just as important as having your adrenals strong, IMHO.

Quoted from lola

http://www.dadamo.com/protocols/21.html
I'd follow the right protocol for my type instead....

Lola, I note that the recommendation is to take these for 6 weeks, any thoughts??

it won t hurt to try and see how you re doing from week to week.

Maca was too powerful for me, but I loved it.  Like an thyroid hormone or adrenaline rush that didn't quit--but one eventually crashed.  It tasted like butterscotch, and was very tempting.  Everyone above has pretty much made the points I would make.  There was a time when progesterone was just what I needed--eventually, it became too much. I stopped when battling candida a year or so ago, and never went back.   Vitex alone did wonders early in the game.  At this point, I have no signs of anything (no flashes, no cravings, no "rubber skin").  I do note that I have gone to Polyvite, which has a touch of sarsaparilla in it, which brings up testosterone in women.  I finally had a spit test--very low estrogen (although I am not extremely thin), middling progesterone, and high testosterone.   No complaints, nothing to "fix" at this point, although I will be interested in the next bone density.  The progesterone period did help measurably.

Quoted from janet

My question is...will these hot flushes ever leave me or is it possible for me to leave them!!! Either solution would suit me just fine  

I've been reading up on Maca, which is new to me and wonder if it would help me.
Have been taking black cohash for about 9 weeks now....Victoria, what's a good strength?? Am taking 165mgx2
And also some Progest E, but not able to use too much.
Taking Vit E 400IU.
Have stopped taking the Pure Rad C and flax seeds...made my bot sore!!

I think the hot flashes will leave you, Janet!    They will eventually find someone else to annoy!    
We have to be willing to try different things and if it doesn't work, try something else.  Don't get "stuck" on any one thing, and also if something doesn't work, don't assume it won't work in a few months.  Because this is the Change of Life.  Everything is changing with our hormones, and it's diferent from month to month.
Maca is great for me, but last year it did nothing for me.  I like Royal Maca because it is steamed.  The locals don't eat it raw, only cooked.  So it makes sense to me to buy it in supplement form that is pre-cooked.
Black cohosh and ground flax have been the best for stopping hot flashes for me (at THIS time).  When I stop either, the flashes return.  I can't really advise you on dosage.  I've been using Eclectic Institute's Black Cohosh Tincture in organic grape alcohol.  Right now, one full dropperful/day is just right.  I experiment!  
I'm not opposed to capsules either, just presently tired of swallowing things and tinctures are easy.  I generally start with the smallest recommended amount and see if that works before using higher amounts of anything.  Periodically it's good to take a break of a few days and give the body a rest.

Pure Radiance C has black peppercorns I think.  That may be irritating!    
Maybe you can just use Camu, Amla, Rose Hips or Acerola as single bulk sources.  I can help you find sources if you need assistance.
With Flax, be sure to drink PLENTY of water with it since it bulks up so much.

Thanks Victoria for your words of encouragement...I know that nothing lasts forever except for one thing...and that's not hot flushes!!!!

The only thing that concerns me about Maca is that it says it's 'Peruvian Ginseng'....ever heard of anyone falling asleep through taking ginseng?? That was my experience a few years back!!

Yes I remember IB saying that Pure Rad C had peppercorns in them, probably the cause of the irritation.

One of my probs re trying lots of different things is financial...plus I mostly have to send for things online and the mailing charges are mega for europe!!
Anyway....I'll plod on.....  
 

Thank you all for the extremely helpful information. I neglected to mention in my intro that I also suffer from heart palpitations. Went through the whole cardiac workup and my cardiologist surmised that I had an "imbalance". That made me immediately think of hormones, yet everytime I have my hormones checked everything is fine, that I'm periomenopausal. So, it's confusing. I've had my cortisol checked, twice, and I'm told it's fine. But when I consulted with a nutritionist a year ago, she asked me what happens to my body when I was under stress. I told her stress gives me worse heart palpitations, and flu symptoms. She told me my adrenals were compromised and recommended as much Vitamin C as my body could tolerate. (Thank you to the person who posted the link re: adrenal fatigue - that's pretty much me!) I had Epstein-Barr in my 30's, and have never felt fully "recovered" from that. Although, thanks to homeopathy my chronic fatigue is so much better. Anyway, long story short, while my homeopath works on "balancing" me, I would like to supplement his work with one or more of the things suggested here.

If I were to start with, say, Vitex, to see how it goes, how long should I give it... a month?

Quoted from mellodrone

I neglected to mention in my intro that I also suffer from heart palpitations. (Thank you to the person who posted the link re: adrenal fatigue - that's pretty much me!)

Hi mellodrone, are you taking anything w/ psuedophedrine in it ?   This causes my DH's to have this same symptom. Just a thought.
Twas prob I who posted re: adrenal fatigue, since I can't seem to stop yakking about it.    I'm glad it may have helped in some way.

Vitex tends to be slow acting, so I would give it 3 months before making a decision.  It is long lasting once it begins to show changes, and is very stabilizing.

Maca is not from the ginseng family.  Peruvian ginseng is just an advertising label to give people the concept that Maca is a good tonic, as Ginseng is a tonic.

Adrenal fatigue can certainly cause palpitations.  I had them so bad this summer after a particularly stressful and tiring period in my life, I went for medical diagnosis and wore an expensive moniter for 24 hours.  My heart tested out fine, but now I have come to see many fatigued adrenal symptoms, so it's all making sense.

Quoted from Victoria

Maca is not from the ginseng family.  Peruvian ginseng is just an advertising label to give people the concept that Maca is a good tonic, as Ginseng is a tonic.

Surely that must be against some trade description act??? very misleading IMO.