I began perimenopause at age 45 with hot flashes that would begin in the center of my chest and spread throughout my chest cavity, neck and face within seconds. I found that my skin was dry and needed lotion on a constant basis. I just figured it was something that I would have to live with as so many women do.
After a scare of bleeding vaginally, my OB/GYN prescribed two different chemically based drugs to help with vaginal dryness and hot flashes. Both medications gave me constant heart palpitations and extreme fatigue. After 2 months of medications, I stopped taking them and found that my heart settled down and my energy returned. Hot flashes continued to be a major factor, along with dry flaky skin.
I went to a ND who ran blood tests to determine my estrogen levels and started me on a compounded hormone. Over the last seven years, the dosage has decreased but I still take the compounded hormone every day. A year ago I weaned myself off of the compound hormone and did well for 3 weeks, but unfortunately, the hot flashes returned. I have continued the low dose daily and do not have any hot flashes.
The compounded hormone has helped in balancing my perimenopause and giving me confidence in going about my daily routines.