Re: Cant get heavy periods sorted out - long

[Guest guest]

I had good results working with a naturopath after getting fed up with the

solution offered by my MD. Homeopathics, eliminating foods I was sensitive

too. Didn’t react well to hormones, so now only take them homeopathically.

So far it works for me. The heavy bleeding just about did me in for years.

Got tested for fibroids, only had one tiny 1/2 inch one, not enough to cause

all the trouble.

Still take iron all the time to help combat copper imbalance which was one

of my main problems. Much improved hormonally speaking now that my copper

levels are down. Iron had the biggest impact on my bleeding problem.

Its a whole body problem, not just one organ or system. Everyone is unique.

I think that some women naturally produce more estrogen and others more

progesterone, so doctors who try the one size fits all are doing a

disservice in my opinion. They also have different reactions to hormone

levels, so someone who has a low level of estrogen could feel fine and

another with the same level could feel like crap. That is pointed out by Dr.

Love in her hormone book. Which may be why the researchers and doctors

seem so confused. They are looking for something that is consistently

applicable to all women.

Karima

Hello everyone,

I have been reading the posts here with interest. I have also been following

some other boards but once again, after much experimentation, am at a loss

as to how to improve my periods. Perhaps someone here has a similar problem

or has discovered something which may help?

A brief history: Started periods at age 14. Am now 38. They have ALWAYS been

heavy and painful, around 31 days and often with clots and flooding.I don't

really have PMS as such but I do have very sore breasts for half the month.

I have hypothyroidism and am taking Armour for that. I also have s

for which I take prednisolone. I also found out last year that I am mercury

poisoned so am addressing that.

With regards to the period problem, here is what I have tried:

*** Treating the thyroid and adrenals!No improvements in periods.

*** Natural progesterone cream from mid cycle onwards. The first month I did

this there was definitely an improvement in both sore breasts and the period

itself. However,after that first month things went downhill again and along

with worsening symptoms I suffered a lot of heartburn and indigestion which

is exactly what I got each time I was pregnant and was definitely related to

the progesterone.

*** Then I saw Dr Hertoghe in Belgium. He prescribed Duphaston saying that

some women react badly to natural progesterone. The same thing happened agin

- first month better, then progressively worse. He said I should increase

the dose. I did and things got much worse - the breast pain and heartburn

mainly. At this time I was also prescribed Estrogel at certain times of the

month too. He also played around with the timing of the progesterone but

nothing helped.Unfortunately, he never listened to me so I eventually got

sick of being told to take more progesterone and didn't bother going back to

see him.

Then I found a very good Doc here in Switzerland who treats with

bio-identical hormones and is quite clued up on things. After doing the same

thing with him (Duphaston again) he suggested Aromasin, which is an

anti-aromatase drug. He insists that I am estrogen dominent still and that I

was probably converting my androgens to estrogens too. he also prescribed a

drug called Parlodel.

None of these have worked (apart from for the first month!)so I am back to

square one.I simply can not go on like this. I have had iron infusions for

my very low ferritin level but within 3 months it was back at the lowest

possible level again becuase of my heavy periods!

I have to take strong painkillers to get through the period and it's just a

nightmare.

Please don't tell me to have saliva testing done at the lab in the US

because I don't have a Docotr to order it for me and can not afford it

especially as the shipping from here is horrendous.

I did initially have a saliva test done (for the whole month) at a UK lab.

It showed that I did ovulate (and I think I usually do)and that my

progesterone and estradiol ratio was fine.Overall estradiol was within

normal limits but it was low for most of the luteal phase so was on the low

side overall.

Progesterone showed poor surge just after ovulation but otherwise OK.

testosterone was low.

So, if anybody has any advice it will be greatly received! I am now so

desperate that I think I may go for the mirena coil and try that. (yes, I

must be desperate!!!)

Thanks for taking the time to read this!