[bryony]

However..........I do have an issue suggesting taking more PM is the answer, especially at 3000 mg. It's been documented increased dosages of PM/hrt (and phytoestrogens too) are ineffective.

Documented where? In the literature or anecdotally? Also, ineffective for what? Breast growth? Don't care. It certainly isn't ineffective for my GD.

I can quite categorically say that, for anxiolitic and anti-depressive effects, in my personal case, 1 gram of PM lasts about 4 hours. If today is not a bad day I can get by on 2g. If today is a bad GD day, then it could be 3,4 or 5g. That's been how I've been dealing with life for the last 3 years.

And btw, PM does carry health risks, which has been certainly documented by our BN members, (research posted on BN).

Which health risks? Anything other than vague concerns or were they positively diagnosed as related to PM? I'd certainly appreciate a reference, because I have had no problems, other than some early lower back spasms (which I now think were testicular).

I would consider taking some time off from extended use of PM, (include phytoestrogens with that statement). And that's simply because the proliferation of cancers, breast, bone, prostate. Everyone carries the cancer gene, continued stimulation of breast and other receptors increase the odds of cancers, better play it safe along the way. Adding some preventive safeguards in NBE is a smart move, we want normal growth, not malignant growth.

I'm not against playing it safe, but I've come across clinical papers that indicate a protective effect against breast cancer with PM. It certainly seems safer than Pharm E. Have you used Google Scholar for "Mirifica" and "Cancer"?

E.g.
http://www.siamnatural.com/documentation/articles/Phyto-oestrogens_Published2011-09.pdf

"These preliminary results are indicative of a potential anti-cancer action of PM that may be of use in the treatment of breast cancer. Further studies are
required to confirm this possibility"

Also:

http://journal.hep.com.cn/fmd/EN/10.1007/s11684-012-0184-8

"...fairly considerable scientific researches, both in vitro in cell lines and in vivo in various species of animals including humans, have been conducted to date to address its estrogenic activity on the reproductive organs, bones, cardiovascular diseases and other climacteric related symptoms. The antioxidative capacity and antiproliferative effect on tumor cell lines have also been assessed. In general, P. mirifica could be applicable for preventing, or as a therapeutic for, the symptoms related to estrogen deficiency in menopausal women as well as in andropausal men."

In fact the preamble to the abstract of that last reference starts off:
"Pueraria mirifica is a medicinal plant endemic to Thailand. It has been used in Thai folklore medicine for its rejuvenating qualities in aged women and men for nearly one hundred years."

So if it was dangerous, you'd kind of think that the Thai authorities would know about it by now, wouldn't you? Instead, their research shows it has protective anti-cancer qualities.

However, getting back to your original comment "I do have an issue suggesting taking more PM is the answer" - let's have some context: In the case of someone experiencing sufficient GD to endanger their marriage, and contrasted with the known and proven dangers of pharmaceutical HRT (the route that a transitioner ends up with) - the real, proven dangers of breast cancer and thrombosis - I think, absolutely that a century old traditional Asian root, taken by thousands upon thousands of Thai people, where research indicates that it actually protects against cancer, then, yes, yes, yes, take as much PM as required to make your marriage work.

Because, the alternative will almost certainly be transition and the much more dangerous HRT when the GD gets bad enough, and almost certainly the end of your marriage, and definitely the end of your relationship as it was.

Over the years I've seen several people start on PM and then move on to HRT, and I conjecture it was because they saw and improvement in their mental state but not enough of an improvement, due to fears of taking more than 2g per day.

Let me state now, for the record, that I have often had 4g per day, sometimes 5g per day over the last 3 years with no ill effects, only the ability to live life like a normal human being.

Every decision in life means taking risks; I am one of the most risk-averse people that I know.

Choice 1 - take no PM - RISK: suffer GD; marriage in danger of failing

Choice 2 - go to psychiatrist and get diagnosed with extreme GD - RISK: HRT; risks of cancer and thrombosis if I don't have an orchiectomy, possible slippery slope towards an unhappy transition.

Choice 3 - take PM as needed to control GD - RISK: none that I have found documented in clinical papers as yet (but I await correction).


B.