Estradiol treatment

Devita · 06-13-2006, 08:18 PM

Hello all,

I've been reading the Savvy Woman's guide to PCOS by Elizabeth Vliet recently. It is a well written book and definitely one of the better ones I've read recently. It seems to me, that she is a strong proponent of Estradiol treatment ( either BCP or Estradiol patches). Even in cases with Metformin, she says she has better results when in conjunction with Estradiol.

I was wondering if any of you had taken this course of treatment at all... and if so, how did it work? What meds did you take? I am meeting my doc in a couple of days and I guess he will be prescribing Met. Should I ask about this at all? I don't think my Estradiol levels were even checked.

On a completely different issue: Did anyone else here have problems with breakthrough bleeding. How did you get it to stop? I've been bleeding for almost 3 months now. A couple of weeks ago, Doc put me on Provera for a few days to 'clean it all out'. So, after the Provera I am bleeding heavily again. Is it just the 'cleaning' and is there really an end in sight? Would love to hear from someone else who has been through this. Its pretty scary.

thanks,
Vita

MintChai · 07-13-2006, 08:02 PM

Hi Vita

The books by Dr.Vliet are great

I have'nt had the chance to read The Savvy Woman's Guide to PCOS yet but I have read and recommend Women, Weight and Hormones, and It's my Ovaries Stupid. In both books she speaks highly of the benifits of estradiol (especially the 17 beta estradiol patch). I also plan to ask my Endo about it and having estradiol levels checked. It would be great to hear from someone who has looked into this too

. I hope all goes well for you.

Devita · 07-17-2006, 10:48 PM

Thanks for the reply Mintchai.
Unfortunately my doc just sort of blew away my enquiries... if thats the right expression. He has put me on Met for now, without having done a GTT though. He said that my problem was excess Estrogen and didn't seem to care much when I brought up the topic of Estrone vs. Estradiol.
Its frustrating, but at least he seems to know more than other docs I've met from around here..
So for now, I am doing only Metformin, especially since I am also TTC.
However, if in 6 months I don't see a significant improvement, I plan to put aside my plans of TTC and go on BCP (the type Vliet recommends).

MintChai · 07-19-2006, 05:04 AM

Sorry to hear that your doctor was not very open to discuss the option of estradiol treatment. Excess estrogen but estradiol is the good estrogen compared to the other two, estrone and estriol. Frustrating it is.

Hopefully taking Met will help improve your situation soon. I am also going to have my BCP changed from Demulin (progesterone dominant) to one of the lower dose ones, either Diane 35 or Yasmin since they are suppose to be anti-androgen and said to be better for women with pcos.

Good luck!

Devita · 07-19-2006, 08:05 PM

Thanks Mintchai. Good luck with getting your meds changed as well.
And I'd love to hear if you see improvement with the new BCPs.

MintChai · 07-22-2006, 05:46 AM

Hi Devita

I'll keep you posted on how the new meds work out

In September I have an appointment with my endo and that's when he'll decide what other meds I should try besides bcp's (which I don't like taking, they make me feel so ill). Perhaps I'll be on Met too.

Feel free to IM me if you would like to talk