Hi Ya'll,
I'm working with a 39 year old mother with a 6 week old fully breastfed baby.
 She had one ovary with a tumor removed several years ago, then had her
second ovary removed during her fifth month of pregnancy, also with a tumor.


She knows the birth of her baby (healthy, full-term) threw her into immediate
menopause.  She has had no menopausal symptoms yet.  Her doctor wants her to
begin hormone replacement therapy in the next few weeks because this mother
has a strong family history of osteoporosis.  Her doctor consulted an
endocrinologist who believes the mother should wean immediately before giving
 artificial estrogen.  Her doctor will not prescribe estrogen until the
mother weans.

The reasons given for weaning are:  1. Estrogen may decrease her milk supply
(so will weaning, says mom).  2. Baby is a boy and doctor does not give OCPs
to mothers of boys.  3.  Endocrinologist says she must wean.

Mother is not satisfied with any of these weaning reasons.  She would also
like to look into natural hormone replacement.  Her biggest concern is
calcium loss.  She is taking calcium supplements, eats a balanced diet, and
does not smoke or drink.

My question is:  What are some natural hormone supplements that may work for
her?  Is there any reason for her to have a hysterectomy before she exhibits
difficulties with the endometrial lining?  (That's another one of the
doctor's recommendations.)

Thanks so much,
Jeanne Fisher
Austin, TX