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[Lisa]

I've just read an article in the Daily Mail from Carol Vorderman who shared her dreadful experiences with the menopause who, after speaking to a menopause specialist, started using bio identical hormones in gel and cream form and appeared to solve her problem with depression almost instantly.  Unlike Ms. Vorderman I don't suffer from depression, but after more than 10 years I'm still struggling with hourly flushes.  I've reluctantly used HRT patches for about 3 months at a time over the past year, but they prevent me from swimming (the patches come off!), they caused my breasts to become larger and very sore and I'm concerned about the risk of breast cancer which is why I waited so long before trying them out.  Is there anyone out there who can share their experience with bio identical hormones and also tell me if there's any reason - other than cost - that the NHS are reluctant to recommend this form of treatment rather than HRT patches.  Thank you.

[CLKD]

The breast cancer risk is minimal.  I'm sure that someone will be along, didn't want to read and run  . We have a thread on here about Carol's recent media interview.  Can't remember the name though, there's probably a thread about that too 

[Jenna]

I've just read an article in the Daily Mail from Carol Vorderman who shared her dreadful experiences with the menopause who, after speaking to a menopause specialist, started using bio identical hormones in gel and cream form and appeared to solve her problem with depression almost instantly.  Unlike Ms. Vorderman I don't suffer from depression, but after more than 10 years I'm still struggling with hourly flushes.  I've reluctantly used HRT patches for about 3 months at a time over the past year, but they prevent me from swimming (the patches come off!), they caused my breasts to become larger and very sore and I'm concerned about the risk of breast cancer which is why I waited so long before trying them out.  Is there anyone out there who can share their experience with bio identical hormones and also tell me if there's any reason - other than cost - that the NHS are reluctant to recommend this form of treatment rather than HRT patches.  Thank you.

The article in the Daily Mail:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-4501426/Carol-Vorderman-says-NHS-offer-women-bespoke-HRT.html

[Mary G]

Welcome to MM.

As CLKD rightly points out, breast cancer risk is minimal so don't worry about that.  The studies responsible for HRT scaremongering have been completely discredited now.  I do hope that you are not one of the millions of women who were scared off taking HRT on the back of those misleading and destructive studies. 

I am not sure of the exact regime Carol Volderman is referring to but it sounds similar to the transdermal, bio identical regime that I am on which used by many other MM members, namely 2 pumps of Oestrogel everyday, testosterone everyday (optional) and Utrogestan (progesterone) capsules used vaginally for a few days each month - I am on a very low dose due to severe progesterone intolerance. 

How do you tolerate progesterone?  You mentioned breast pain which suggests you are using a combination patch at the moment.  Synthetic progesterone always gives me breast pain but interestingly, I never have breast pain while using Utrogestan vaginally. 

I am not sure what CV means by the cream, perhaps it is some sort of progesterone cream?

I didn't get on with patches either and much prefer the gel.  It is easy to use, dries in about 1 minute and it is very flexible i.e. you can adjust the dose quickly and easily to suit your needs.  I think you will find it works much better than the patches which you say keep falling off when you go swimming.  I didn't like wearing a patch either but that is a personal thing.   

You should be able to get Oestrogel/testosterone/Utrogestan regime from the NHS if you ask for it directly and push the point by showing them the new NICE guidelines.  If all else fails, you could consult a private specialist and ask them to write to your doctor recommending this regime and then you could get it prescribed via the NHS thereafter. 

I hope that helps.

[babyjane]

this is all well and good but what about the women who don't have the luxury of money or status and are limited to their GP or the NHS.  what are they meant to do Carol?

[Megamind]

this is all well and good but what about the women who don't have the luxury of money or status and are limited to their GP or the NHS.  what are they meant to do Carol?

Plus this particular Professor gets a lot of free advertising! I wonder how long Carol had to wait for an appt with him?

[Cassie]

The bio identical hormones she is referring to are more than likely the Oestrogel, and
Utrogestan with some testosterone rub on gel thrown in. Many woman get these on NHS, and I agree, it is a wonderful combo, despite the side effects that some ladies get on the Utrogestan and really worth pushing for.

[Jenna]

I've had utrogestan and oestrogel on the NHS for nearly 5 years now. I'm sure I'm right in saying there are women on the forum who have testosterone prescribed also. The main problem is out of date or clueless GPs I'm afraid.

I'm not sure what someone is supposed to do if their GP flatly refuses to prescribe what they're asking for and they can't afford to go private. There should really be some kind of complaints procedure ... maybe there is.... does anyone know?

CV is saying in the article today that the NHS should be prescribing them. However my feeling is that the NHS should be willing to prescribe a wide variety of remedies, since as regular forum members know only too well, this particular regime can by no means be considered a cure all for every woman!!

Do you think PALS could help if the GP is refusing to prescribe these items?

http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/1082.aspx?CategoryID=68

[edelweiss]

Hello everyone, I've sent a request for a correction to the Daily Mail online because as we know the gels Carol uses ARE available on NHS and many GPs will prescribe, but the article implies they won't or are 'loathe' to.

I hope they change it because this info is potentially misleading for millions of women given the DM online readership. You can see in the comments section lots of women have taken it to mean they can't get hold of the same as Carol and that's not true.  xxx

[Lisa]

Thanks to everyone who responded to my initial post re. bio identical hormones.  Very grateful indeed.  I was recently informed BY THE RECEPTIONIST at my GP surgery that I have osteoporosis.  I got an appt. with a GP who immediately looked at my DEXA scan results and then went on to Google to try to understand what the results meant!  I was then told that I should take a weekly pill ... and I said I had no intention of taking any form of medication based on what she had seen on Google!  (As much as I love Google!).  I asked for a referral to see a specialist and was told by the GP that medication is how osteoporosis is treated in my surgery.  I wouldn't take no for an answer and after making a complaint to the practice manager (and was prepared to go further, if necessary), I got the appt. with a specialist who said that I was in the early stages of osteo. and medication is not required at least for a couple of years.  I was told to take calcium and vitamin D supplements at this time.  If the specialist had told me to go on medication I would have done so, of course.  The moral of the story is that you should insist on referrals if you're not satisfied with what you're told to do by very busy GPs regarding any form of medication.