Hey guys looking for some good insight from the great minds here. I know women's health isn't often discussed here but nevertheless here is what I am looking at.

44 y/o W female status post total hysterectomy due to cyst on ovaries after removal mass occurred in uterus. well nourished not obese average weight ~ 140. No other significant past medical history. Complains of frequent hot flashes up to "30" per day without treatment "5-0" with HRT.

Current HRT Combipatch. http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/combipatch_ids.htm

It is obvious that the HRT controls hot flashes, however does the means justify the outcome? i.e, possibility of development of Breast cancer, heart disease etc. If HRT in the form of conventional medicine (combipatch) has too many negative aspects what is a good alternative? Also, what supplement of regiment may help lower risk for adverse effects?
Thanks ahead of time

When I started dating my girlfriend she was 27 and had chronic hot flashes. She has some seriously wacked hormones. FWIW, sesamin seemed/seems to really help, as does GTE and eating low-carb.

GTE? And in what was did sesamin help? Maybe I am missing something but with my surface level knowledge of sesamin I dont see how it would help regulate progesterone/ estrogen.

bump. Jinx? Chemgoddess? any ideas from the female perspective?

The HRT is no different from her own natural estrogen so, at least for the time being, there is probably no increased risk. As she gets closer to 50, she may want to reconsider or see if a progestin-only routine might work. If she does not have familial history of breast cancer or CVD, my guess is she is probably not doing herself any damage.

FWIW, I have had great success treating menopause symptoms with Circumfuga root extract.

Yeah, I personally think regular hormone level checks to make sure there is no spike in estrogen would be fine. I will look into the Circumfuga. I asked my OB/GYN instructor today on her thoughts, and she disagrees with the negative studies and says as long as the signs and symptoms of hormonal dysfunction are present that HRT should be initiated.

Green tea extract




Well, sesamin does convert to a weak phytoestrogen. But, you are assuming that hot flashes are the direct result hormone fluctuation. While they are a result of fluctuation, from what I've read, the actual cause of the hot flash is still a mystery.