[peggy]

Yes, the pharma meds are stronger, but even if they weren't, I take issue with the supposition that the herbs are safer than prescription HRT when taken under the care of an endocrinologist.

I disagree. Of course it's better to take HRT drugs under the care of an endo (instead of buying them overseas), BUT it doesn't make those meds safer only because an endo prescribed them. They still might have the same side effects and risks. I do agree that also herbs might have side effects if taken in large doses and/or without making any research.

First, we don't know the long term risks of taking large doses of PM, for example. The research hasn't been done to be sure of that. Second, the quality of the herbs is not being monitored in most cases by an objective third party or government agency. Third, many are taking the herbs blindly, that is, without regular blood testing and hormone level monitoring. How can that be inherently safer?

Women in Thailand have used PM for well over one hundred years, specifically for its rejuvenating qualities. Of course these women didn't take "Ainterol X-treme spray" or whatever its called but many take PM as an whole food in moderate doses. If PM would be as risky as HRT estrogen, everybody would know it by now. But it's the opposite, it actually can PREVENT cancer. However it's a FACT that HRT drugs are dangerous and studies confirm it. I agree that neither herbs nor synthetics should be taken without regular blood or saliva testing. But does every person who take HRT drugs have regular medical check-ups? I doubt it.

I was attracted to herbs at the beginning, because I could experiment with rebalancing my sex hormones without having to 'come out' to my physician about my gender dysphoria. Now that I'm committed to at least a partial transition, I prefer to work with a doctor and use the meds that they are accustomed to prescribing. It bothers me that the phyto-estrogen in PM, miroestrol, doesn't show up on a clinical estrogen test.

Blood tests are not very reliable. You should make a saliva test for estradiol and estriol and it might show up there.

Peggy