I started menopause at 48, I had just moved to New Mexico with my husband and was really stressed about money and starting a job in the Forensic psychiatry department and yet at the same time, happy that my fibromyalgia was getting a relief in the dry sunny climate, so I couldn't really separate menopause symptoms from overall turmoil and change....

I didn't use any hormone supplements then, but recently my gynecologist is insisting that I use Estring, which is topical estrogen and is inserted into the vagina like a diaphragm and stays for 3-4 months until needing replacement. Does anyone on this blog have any comments on Estring (manufactured in the Netherlands by Pfizer) ?

I don't know anything about the Estring, but I do use an Estradiol cream that is inserted vaginally every other night and I swear by it. I was getting so dry without it that it hurt to sit down.

@Ruth thank you for the response. I believe it is the same thing as Estradiol cream but a slow release version. I was just wondering if anyone had any adverse side effects. My doctor was very confident that it would not increase risk of cancer as it wouldn't be a system wide therapy, but more for local treatment. So far, sounds good.

Hi All, my vision is quite blurry right now so just need to write rather than direct responses. Got to get off this computer!

I'm 48 and just starting the hot flashes. It was hard to tell for sure because my illness causes flushing already. But a hot flash...now I know...wow...definitely different. Still have regular periods but just off chemo so wonder if that has played a role in setting off menopause or peri-menopause...whatever this is.

Due to nature of illness I can't do many pharma meds. This includes nearly everything for menopause. Doctor prescribed Premarin. I reacted badly. Friend told me "bio-identicals are better and safer" but I'm afraid to try even that - another drug. Found this link saying Estradiol is one of the new bio-identicals (my friend who told me about this has had breast cancer so she's hyper focused to be safe and all over this) so that's good - http://www.hystersisters.com/vb2/showthread.php?t=234939

I'm doing natural supplements. After much research and trying things, I'm using Replens right now (for dryness) but soon to replace that (I hope) with Vitamin E Suppositories which women are raving about and safer apparently. I'm taking 40mg Black Cohosh and 3000mg Flax Omega-3 ALA for hot flashes, headaches, sleeping problems. When need extra sleep help (insomnia happening off and on), taking 2mg or so of melatonin for sleep. Oh and taking Calcium + Magnesium with Vitamin D3 in triple dose daily. Between illness pills and these supplements, feel like i'm eating pills all day and night .... ugh.

Apparently amazon.com has a sale on right now for the Vit E stuff mega cheap. Friend called to tell me today LOL In Canada, Vit E in suppository form is NOT SOLD ffs...friggin gov't. So we're going to import it from USA.

Hope this helps. Shoot forgot to say....Black Cohosh, Flax and Vit D stuff wiped out the hot flashes. The rest is slowly getting under control too.

Well, even my neighbor who is a PA, who wouldn't be behind HRT, totally supports the Estradiol cream because it is so locally administered.

Caribou, I have to say I am so glad that I never had the problems that you have had. I guess menopause was payback for all the years of horrible horrible cramping I had with my periods.

Ruth, payback for all the years of horrible cramping...I hear you. Wish I could do more than vitamins and supplements but my cells are not having it. :/ I've been waiting for this since I was 13 though..lol..never wanted kids and this monthly thing has been hell all my adult life. Yay for menopause! lol Sooner this stuff ends the better. 🙂 I hope you feel better soon too.