However, they must understand there are different types of hormones, doses, and delivery systems. Some women in the perimenopause benefit by the hormone balancing effect of low-dose birth control pills. All women need to work on reducing stress and take good vitamins. Herbs can be added or natural hormones compounded for symptom relief as needed. We have a triangle in the book that illustrates this approach.
Doctors tend to start at the peak instead of the base.
Whatever choice is made, a woman should know the reason for it and that it is the best dose and delivery system for her. There is a tendency for women to self-treat by combining a lot of natural products. No one knows the long-term effect. Our purpose for writing the book was to give women a systematic plan to evaluate their health, empower themselves, and take to their health care provider for help in implementation. If a doctor won't consider a woman's concerns and reasonable choices, she should find someone else who will listen and discuss her particular needs.