Success using Tri-Est Estrogen Therapy

[Sherry from GA]

Dear Ladies,

I just wanted to pass along amazing results that I am having using a compounded, Tri-Est combination of estrogen therapy. I seemed to be unable to take any other type of estrogen -- tried them all but this natural Tri-Est is having amazing results with the bladder. The standard dose is 1.25 mg twice daily in a combination of 80% Estriol, 10% Estridol, and 10% Estrone. Not once in two months has my bladder flared. My own theory is the Estriol (80%) is making the dramatic difference. Most traditional HRTs do not have Estriol but the normal ovaries produce Estriol in abundance. Traditional medicine has believed this is a very weak estrogen and therefore was discounted as not necessary in traditional HRT. Research is revealing that Estriol is necessary. But the beauty is that a compounded Tri-Est by a Compounding pharmacy produces a hormone replacement that is MOLECULARLY IDENTICAL to our own natural hormones. Premarin and most other HRTs have molecular structures that are DIFFERENT. The body simply does not metabolize these traditional HRTs well. I'm living proof of that! Once I discovered that I could get a natural micronized Tri-Est put in a dye free capsule, I can't tell you how relieved I was to find a hormone I could tolerate! One caution, Tri-Est is a cat and mouse game to get the levels right. Often the 80%, 10%, 10% combination must be increased or decreased to get the same affect as a Premarin. You know ladies-- bring back the libido. Right now, we are trying to get the level right on that. But no kidding, I believe this Estriol is what my body has been missing. Incidentally, my urologist and gyno at Emory in Atlanta are amazed. One last thing, not many doctors are familiar with the natural hormones so you must locate a compounding pharmacy in your area if you are interested in trying Tri-Est. I'm beginning to think that this stuff could help those with hysterectomies and also perhaps those that still have everything. Personally, I'm beginning to wonder if a decline in Estriol is invoking an allergic reaction in the bladder wall. It might not work for everyone but some of you might want to just speak with you physicians about Tri-Est. It is by prescription only. It may not be the complete answer but it is helping me. Good luck ladies and just wanted to pass this along.

Sherry

[Ruthie]

Hi Sherry,

That is wonderful. I have taken natural micronized progesterone in the past for PMS, it is made from yams, I have also taken a form that is now out on the market, it is sopossed to be the same, as the natural micronized stuff, it isn't I noticed a big difference. That natural stuff is great.

Happy Holidays,

Ruth

[carrie s]

Dear Sherry:
Natural hormones are wonderful. However, you may want to check with you Dr. as there is some evidence that the Estrone portion of the tri est can have some negative effects on breat tissue. Your doctor may want to change you to Bi est in a similar proportion of estriol and estradiol-usually 8:2 meaning 1mg of estriol and .25 of estradiol twice daily. But any ratio can be compounded. I am not saying that Tri est is not good-I am just giving some info that my Dr gave to me.

[Deedee]

Yes that is SO TRUE! Estrone is the estrogen that you have to Beware of with Breast Cancer,also thats the one that causes that UGLY ABDOMINAL FAT.My Dr tested mine and mine was sky rocketing off the charts high.He took me off Tri-Est and Switched me to Bi-Est.(Estradiol & Estriol)
My belly fat did shrink up some! [img]cool.gif[/img]
I agree 100% on the Estriol Raving,it is essential for bladder and the top Estrogen for Vaginal Dryness.And it does improve the quality of Sex [img]tongue.gif[/img]
Take Care Of Yourselves,
Deedee

[kimberlyJB]

I am just now reading about hormone treatment and IC. My IC goes into a short remission around the start of my period each month so I have long been searching for this to factor in to treatment. What is the best way to get started with this? My doctor is very hip to IC but he has never mentioned hormone treatment. How do I approach this with my doctor or get started researching?

I am 30 and though I just had an ovary and tube removed my IC started three, oh god four years ago now.

[una]

I agree that there is a great necessity to start focusing more on the effect of hormones on IC. I seem to be worst before my periods but also in mid-cycle. My gyno suggested that prostaglandin levels might be affecting my IC. I seem to intuitively think it has to do with estrogen though, and that when my estrogen levels are high, my IC is better. But again, there is so much guessing and with this disease it takes courage to try new pills because of the fear of WHERE they can send you..!
Hopefully there are more of you out there with helpul suggestions! Thanks,
Una

[songbird7]

Question on the Bi est. Is this also effective for women who have had complete histerectomies? Is it expensive? Better than natural progesterone cream?

[anglico2024]

Irene Moreno

Hello

I'm 76 years old with the horrible pain of Vulvodynia and I've been given many creams and treatments that aren't working for me unfortunately. Does anybody know anything new. Maybe a cream that'll work for me? I'm crying most of the time because of the pain and I'd kill myself if I had the guts.

Please...Anybody

1-310-215-1694 I"ll except the charges if you call collect

[sami4]

Estriol

Estriol is the hormone of pregnancy and is not found in the menopausal womans body at all. It is found in the pregnant womans body in large amounts, but the amount of estriol in the non menopausal, non pregnant womans body is so small to be hard to measure.
In post menopause Estrone is the dominant estrogen. It is made by the body even without ovaries. It is made in body fat and in the adrenal glands
Estriol does not have the brain, nervous system, or other benefits of plain old 17-beta estradiol the bio-identical estrogen that costs $14.00 a month for the generic brand.
Estriol is a good lubricator and good results have been found in using it for vaginal application.
Tri-Est 1.25 twice a day actually contains about 2.0 mg of Estriol which is equal to about a dose of 0.3 Premarin or 0.5 mg of 17-beta estradiol in the body. Add the .25 mg 17-beta estradiol to the 0.5 and that is the true estradiol dose in the combination. As for the estrone, I am at a loss to understand anyone would want to take more estrone since it is the metabolite implicated in breast and endometrium over stimulation. It is also a dominant metabolite after menopause, which is the time of the highest BC rates.
Studies have shown that you need pretty high doses of Estriol to give relief from hot flashes, and vaginal problems. Studies have also not shown that Estriol is not any more breast protective than 17-beta Estradiol. The study usually touted was one done in a test tube on cancer cells. When they added Estriol they didnt grow as fast, so they decided that estriol was somehow protective against cancer. Studies done recently are turning up other evidnce. You have about a 1% chance of having a BC stimulation with any estrogen. But estrogen does not cause cancer, but will cause one to grow.
If this tri-est formula is working for you, I would have to guess that you apparently dont need much estrogen to feel good, at least for right now.
Also, understand that any oral estrogen has to be metabolized in the liver and what you are taking in your mouth is not being used by your body in the ratio or even that type of estrogen.
If it were me and I wanted a designer mix, I would cut out the Estrone and as the other poster suggested take Bi-Est or plain old Estradiol. All the hype about estriol was largely touted by the compounding pharmacists which view this a job security. What ever works!
Sammi

[Debe2]

***Irene: I hear you. I have felt the same way. No creams work for me either. If you look at my meds list at the end of this post you will see what I'm taking. The gabapentin is for the vulvodynia. I'm at a very low dose at 900mgs--I have read you need a much higher dose to get relief, but I just don't want to go higher. I have had good and bad days--before my new hrt and the gabapentin all the days were bad. Are you taking any of the usual suspects for the pain; ie gabapentin, lyrica, or a tricyclic medication? Have you seen a Dr? How long have you had vulvodynia? Please hang in there--I know how hard it is. I have not been able to wear undies in months.....
Debe2

[sami4]

Irene

Irene, here is a written summary of our conversation: Because you are 76 a lot of doctors don't think you need to continue on hormones--wrong! When you become estrogen deprived it effects the mind and the way the brain functions, the urinary bladder, skin, eyes, and vulva. You most likely have a blood level of estrogen 4-20 range, which is postmenopausal level for a woman not on hormones. Your level for basic health should be 100, minimum.
If I were having your problems here is what I would do: Make an appointment with a gynecologist (woman's specialist), not a general practitioner, for a pelvic exam. The specialist can tell by looking if you have Atrophic Vaginitis (low vaginal estrogen). Ask them to RX you some oral estrogen to take daily, and some vaginal estrogen to use inside and around the outside. When your tissues are very red and sore due to lack of estrogen the estrogen cream may burn slightly, that is because the nerve endings are dry and raw. As the nerves absorb the estrogen this will stop and the redness will begin to go away. This whole process will take 6 to 8 weeks, but get better every day.
It is always better to do something simple first before you assume the worst. If what I suspect is going on with you, it isnt classic vulvadynia, its simple atrophic vaginitis. I have had this myself, and it feels like you are sitting in sand. Like yourself I know what you mean by underpants hurt.
Remove all dyes and irritations from the vulvar area. Put your undies through a last wash cycle without anything in the water to be sure all the soap is rinsed out. Try to wear only cotton underpants. If you have a leaking problem, change your pad every time you pee.
Life will get a lot better, make that Dr's appointment; it will make a world of difference in your mood and health.
Sammi

[anglico2024]

Thank you Sami4...Thank you everybody for your help. Dr Berman gave my mom the medications she believes will help her. But shes not taking them. Maybe she wants to suffer? I don't know. I know by being her son I'm suffering because shes in pain...

These are the meds:

1. Metabolic Synergy 180 Vegetarian Capsules
2. Inflammatone 120 Capsules
3. Brain Vitale 60 Vegetarian Capsules
4. Omega Synergy 90 Softgels

[OrlandoP]

I agree that there is a great necessity to start focusing more on the effect of hormones on IC. I seem to be worst before my periods but also in mid-cycle. My gyno suggested that prostaglandin levels might be affecting my IC. I seem to intuitively think it has to do with estrogen though, and that when my estrogen levels are high, my IC is better. But again, there is so much guessing and with this disease it takes courage to try new pills because of the fear of WHERE they can send you..!
Hopefully there are more of you out there with helpul suggestions! Thanks,
Una

It's also important to note that hormones affect pain signaling and how sensitive you are. So, in essence, your hormones could be normally balanced, but at times when one or the other is higher during your cycle, it is causing you greater sensitivity.

[soozans]

vaginal estriol

I have had Ic for about 9 years...just prior to menopause.
I started topical Triest 6 years ago...and an my iC symtons kicked up for about 6 months..but not terrible.
I started topical vaginal estriol (compounded in aloe) about 3 years ago..and nothing happened- till they tod me to put it INSIDE ! duhhh!...within a month my IC calmed down considerably! Controled by diet I was pretty good! The this fall because I was spotting (too much triest as it turns out) I cut back the estriol 80%...and by January and now for ten weeks I have warp 10 pain!!
Nothing else changed..but cutting back estriol (and 40% triest) I think it is pretty clear that the hromones..vaginally helped me hugely..and now I am upping my dose slowly ...my receptors I think as very sensitve..cuz I hurt more as I add more..but I feel this is it..my vaginal wall has thinned...my uterine wall has thinned (I had a hysterscopy in Nov) so why not my BLADDER wall also thinning wiht meno!??

So yes..I agree...estrogen plays a huge part in IC..
I just wish my 'reseptors' would chill down...I burn burn burn!

[sami4]

Soozans

Soozans:
I replied to your private email on this subject. Hope things get better.
Sammi