Ask Larry:

Question: I am going through perimenopause and started compounded armour thyroid (15 mg); topical creme form of estradiol/testosterone and progesterone about 3 years ago and had problems with itching and rashes from the get go. The physicians assistant and then my doctor said it was just my hormones and adjusted the dosage a couple of times but the itching got worse and was spreading from my face/neck area and then to my chest, arms and legs. I slowly weaned myself off the hormones over the last few months and the itching went away. But I am having mild/moderate hot flashes and fuzzy thinking now (absentminded) so I thought I could use just the progesterone (1/2 teaspoon) to help. but now the itching is back... Wondering if there is an alternative...
Could allergy testing help to identify what might be in the creme that is bothering me? Or will all progesterone cause this itching issue?

Yes, I know it's popular and common, and considered a step in the process of achieving hormone balance. That does not automatically equate to necessity. At least for me.

Just because we CAN measure levels of hormones in saliva (blood too), is not rationale for actually doing it, especially if the goal is to help determine a person's imbalance - and offer suggestions for correcting it.

No matter what you believe in regards to this topic, remember that your beliefs have little, if nothing, to do with fact.

This is a BS story that is unrelated to the topic at hand. I agree that the meeting in question was bogus, but reporting an incident where birth control pills might have prevented a cyst is pushing the envelope. Mainly because they've been pushing the idea that the birth control pill is a treatment for cysts for decades but have yet to show that it ever works. Progesterone maybe, birth control pills? Nope.

Question: My daughter's doctor has suggested that she take shots that will put her into temporary menopause in order to treat possible endometritis. When she researched it online, other people having the treatment have said it is the worst thing they have experienced. She is also wary of taking a shot that will not be out of her system for three months. The symptom that lead her to the doctor was extreme pain when having sex. The ultrasound did not show any problems. Do you know of any alternative solutions?

Larry's Response: Endometriosis is inflammation and it IS associated with hormone imbalance, primarily excess estrogen activity.

Just about a week ago Cher asked me if I had any suggestions for treating "the blues" that didn't involve drugs. Cher's daughter, Victoria, recently gave birth to a beautiful baby. She did not take any drugs during the pregnancy and also reported that she didn't think she needed them. Even after delivering, it seemed her depression episodes were in the past. In time, though, the moods began to creep back. Victoria hadn't said much but Cher saw the old signs. That's when she asked me for a suggestion that didn't require going back to the prescription drugs.