starme

Hi All
I have really low estrogen levels and I mean menopausal low. I think my testosterone is coming down because my acne is improving (i'm on metformin and BCP), but I wonder how is there any way of improving my estrogen. I think it's a problem because my periods are very light and i get a lot of dryness. I do take soy and dong quai but it hasnt been helping. if i go off bcp, i worry that my uterus won't line properly to get af or that i won't be able to conceive.
Thanks - any help is appreciated.

August

You could take estrogen . . . . not necessarily in the form of birth control pills -- one option might be bio-identical estradiol -- am I assuming correctly that you would be trying conceive? Generally when I women who still has her uterus need to take estrogen - she also take either progestin (like in birth control) or progesterone (like your body produces) in order to protect her uterus from the harmful effects of estrogen that is "unopposed". A good source of info for you one this subject might be Dr Vliet's book "The Savvy Women's Guide to PCOS". Also you might try to find a endocrinologist who specializes in menopause and female hormone issues.

bostonlawgal

i just had bloodwork done too that showed REALLY low estrogen. i am 30 and have been on and off of BCPs for about 10 years and am currently on them. the endocrinologist said that this sometimes happens with women who have been on BCPs for a long time, and also that having levels checked while on the pill is not totally accurate since the pill lowers FSH and LH.

Like you, though, I am worried about TTC (when the time comes). I think i will go off BCPs for a few months and have my levels checked again. I am looking into taking vitex (there's some good threads on vitex in this section) to help regulate things while i am off the pill.

I'd love to hear from any other cysters who had low estrogen level on BCPs! I thought taking BCPs was supposed to INCREASE estrogen!