laurie wrote:
> Only the oral medications are systemic, so they may offer heart benefits,
> but may also sustain or increase risks for other hormone-triggered
> conditions.  Topical treatments such as creams or rings are generally for
> dryness/pain only, although if used enough, they can often also alleviate
> the specific kind of female incontinence caused by lack of hormones.

I don't think this is true. Creams with progesterone bypass the liver and go
through the skin where they are absorbed. My wife uses the cream and tastes
a metallic taste in her mouth within seconds. It is definitely absorbed and
then is available systemically.

In Dr. Lee's book he points out that a lot of creams do not have enough
potency or bioavailability, but a few brands apparently do.

I have talked to a woman who felt this was too small a quantity and she uses
a progesterone (natural) created by a forumulating pharmacy and sees a lot
of benefit in the form of better mood, better sleep, etc. let alone benefits
to bone mass for which there is some evidence

--Richard