"I don't believe in Rx HRT because of the possibility of causing breast cancer."
Yet, you were blindly dosing yourself on phytoestrogens?? Do you realize you were doing no different and do you at all understand why such claims are made in the first place? Although it is a fact that cancers and the like feed off of hormone like substances, you need to remember, judging by your age, you are NOT in this category of having excessive hormone levels, being that you (hypothetically) have low hormones. Unless you are currently with cancer. But if you had done your tests, you would know where you stand.
You NEED hormones. We are talking Bio Identical Hormones (not synthetics or poor substitutes like Premerin horse pis pills) under the supervision of an MD. Most MD's should understand why any woman would wish to do HRT. We in this day in age are aging too fast because we are extremely deficient. I heard of a woman in her 50's took progesterone and started her period and freaked out, so she stopped cold. She truly believed her biological clock was supposed to be dead in its tracks. She was very ignorant to think such things. I will always be on HRT from here on out unfortunately, but I am just grateful I can get these bio identical hormones to keep my sanity, health and youth.
It sounds like you'll have to do some research. I can give you a great reference for a Dr. for HRT but he is in San Diego, Ca. just look up Stephen Center. Many women fly from tim-buck-tu to see this man.
Stephen Center
BodyLogicMD of San Diego
5030 Camino de la Siesta, Suite 290
San Diego, California 92108
Phone: 619-419-2655
http://zionpharmacy.com/hormone-saliva-testing/
The rest your DR. will have to have you do blood tests. Expect to spend about $800-1000 in tests but sounds like you are due anyway
Good luck, you should be on your way from here.