More than ten years ago, I struggled with standard hormone replacement therapy. Bottom line, it made me increasingly sick. I recall we tried different brands, but nothing worked. Finally, I stopped taking hormones altogether. After a couple years, I began seeing an integrative medicine doctor who ordered blood work on me. The result on my hormone level came back so low it didn't register and a few areas had already atrophied in my body. At this point, I began compounded bio-identical hormone replacement. It took some time, but eventually my hormone level returned to normal and I experienced positive physical and emotional changes.
I have my hormone level checked regularly to maintain a consistent balance. I found that, for me, bio-identical hormone replacement was the safest, most effective, and healthiest option for my body.