Debbie,

I can't thoroughly answer your questions but I can tell you that I took
premarin for fertility.  It can restart your period after menopause.  I won't
take it.  My own GYN suggested that I try birth control pills but I asked him
why should I start now?  I never took them and don't need birth control now.
He never answered that one.

Good luck!

Vickie B.

Debbie I thought this was so cute and fitting, to your question.
I dont have any answers but hope you can enjoy a little humor
janice

The Seven Dwarfs of Menopause

My GYN switched me from Premarin (which I was on for years) to Cenestin, .3
mg.  I also take Prometrium (progestin) at bedtime for night sweats.  I know
the risks, advantages and disadvantages of HRT and have decided to go with
this treatment.  Nanny

My ovaries are gone and I've been on Premarin ever since.  With no ovaries,
I'm on .625 mg.  Once we rebuild some of this osteopenic bone though, we plan
to taper me off of it.  I had been planning on using natural help for normal
menopause symptoms though.  Black Cohosh is also supposed to be really good.  
It seems to me there is yet another supplement as well, but I can't dredge
the name out of my sluggish brain right now.  Also soy products are supposed
to help a lot.  If you can, start eating tofu and drinking soy milk.  There
are also supplements with soy, but I don't think they are as effective as
dietary soy.  I think that is what studies have shown though I can't swear to
it.

If you want more information on natural options, you might check with
Melinda.  She is usually a great source of information on natural options for
just about everything.

Debbie,

I am keeping an eye on this post with you. I don't have any suggestions but
go thru alot of the same things. But I do have bad hot flashes also.

Wishing you the best of luck with finding something that works.

Hello,

The ingredients you all have been mentioning are in our female support
formula called "Feminene."  My mother had a hysterectomy and swares by
this product.  My wife also uses this for PMS control and loves it as
well.  I have included information from my website about this product.
At the very least I hope I can provide some information on what the
various ingredients listed earlier in the thread do.  Please e-mail me
and I will be glad to send you a broucher on this product.
corey@coreybell.net

Please visit http://www.coreybell.net for more information.

Click Helath-Nutrion
Click Womens Health

Here is a listing of the ingredients found in Feminene™:

Black Cohosh
Black Cohosh is a shrub-like plant native to the eastern deciduous
forests of North America. It has been used for centuries to help
counteract the symptoms of PMS and menopause.

Vitamin E
Vitamin E, or d-alpha tocerpherol, is considered to be a highly
effective anitioxidant. Vitamin E has also been shown to play a part
in the reduction of hot flashes associated with PMS and menopause, can
reduce breast tenderness, and helps support normal heart health
maintenance.

Soy Isoflavones
Soy is one the richest dietary sources of isoflavones available.
Isoflavones are compounds which function as phytoestrogens
(plant-based estrogens) in the body, providing health maintenance
benefits from their subtle estrogen-like effects.

Dong Quai
Dong Quai has been referred to as the female ginseng. Used in
traditional Chinese culture, it is prescribed to help maintain proper
female health related to menstruation.

Evening Primrose Oil
Evening Primrose Oil, also referred to as EPO, contains gamma
linolenic acid, or GLA. GLA is a fatty acid that the body converts to
prostaglandin, a hormone-like substance. It has been shown in studies
to dramatically reduce the symptoms associated with PMS.

Wild Yam
Wild Yam has many beneficial effects. It was discovered to play a role
in the controlling of blood sugar levels. It also contains
anitioxidant properties and possesses strong antispasmodic and
anti-inflammatory qualities.

Vitex (Chaste Berry)
The use of Vitex dates back to the days of Hippocrates. It has been
shown to offer relief from breast tenderness, cramping, headaches and
acne, and promotes the proper level of prolactin, which can reduce the
severity of PMS.

Horsetail
Also known as Shave Grass or Bottlebrush, Horsetail is rich in silicic
acid and silicates. It also contains potassium, and over a dozen
bioflavonoids.

Red Clover
Similar to Soy, Red Clover also contains high levels of isoflavones,
well known for their subtle estrogen-like properties. Red Clover has
been considered as a possible alternative to estrogen in some
menopausal women.

Passiflora
Also known as Passion Flower, Passiflora has shown to contain
flavonoids that have relaxing properties believed to help reduce the
anxiety associated with PMS and /or menopause.

Valerian Root
Valerian Root contains many essential oils that can have a calming
effect. It has also been shown to have a positive effect on sleep
quality without increasing total time spent asleep.

Sage
Sage has one of the longest histories of use as a dietary supplement.
It is a leafy herb used for a variety of purposes, including helping
control hot flashes. Some essential oils found in Sage are also
considered to have powerful antioxidant qualities.

St. Johns Wort
St. Johns Wort is herbal-based mood regulator that has gained a great
deal of popularity in the last few years. It works by inhibiting the
reuptake of the nuerotransmitters dopamine, seratonin, and
norepinephrine, allowing more of these nuerotransmitters to be
available in the brain.

Vitamin B Blend
Featuring seven different B vitamins, Feminene™ packs a potent blend
of these beneficial ingredients into each serving. Vitamin B
deficiencies have been associated with a wide range of health
challenges, ranging from moodiness to cardiovascular complications.
Vitamin B6 and B12 also help reduce homocysteine levels, which has
been shown to be a key risk factor in maintaining a healthy heart.