I'll answer you MaryG - in my opinion,to be honest having exhausted the NHS options I would agree there was not NHS alternative except for a hysterectomy or the "unregulated channels". It was your choice, as is everyones!
In my view its simple, here cannot be one rule for posting on "regulated hormones" and another for "bespoke hormones". none of us are doctors (well some might be and others have sciency occupations which puts themin slightly advantageous position
) and the opening introduction to the forum and forum rules state things about that but really when any of us post here, it is based on our own experiences and information gained elsewhere. The majority of it is "experienced based". I can see no reason why any of this should be viewed as controversial, nor why anyone who has experience of these treatments should hide themselves away as long as it is posted in an appropriate manner and in a correct section of the forum.
Despite the differences of opinion
I would stake my life on it that not one of the people with that experience is going to be suggesting to a "newbie" forum member running out of options on progesterone that their first reply or even their 5th reply would be to try "unregulated" "bespoke" treatment or what ever you want to call it.
I really think we need to put this in perspective a little more and look at the wider picture because the whole thing seems to being discussed on a micro manage basis...(sorry peeps, I'm not sure if you know what I mean..I probably haven't worded that right.
Information is power, others experiences help but at the end of the day what each person does with that information and experience is absolutely down to them. I believe irresponsible posters on this forum are shut down by others anyway and I can say personally I dont think any of this discussion is "irresponsible" in any way. There are plenty of things I wish I had known years ago that would have made my life infinitely better but I didnt have the opportunity to find out. If I had done anything on the basis of someone elses say so without the proper research when I did find out, then well...that's down to me isn't it?
I'm in the "post away on all your experiences as long as you do it responsibly" camp including bhrt, bespoke progesterone, cbd oil, menopace, anything else you can get in H&B, yams, essential oils, black cohash yada yada yada. When you read it, you don't have to agree with it, nor do you have to take it up immediately but if you don't know, you don't know? - what I mean is why should menopausal women only hear about what is considered NHS mainstream?