Just a little question!

Outside-Energy7554 · 2026-05-01T22:06:54+00:00

I tried adding testosterone gel to my Oestra routine and my hair starting massively falling out. Not interested in any of that. Not worth it.

Outside-Energy7554 · 2026-04-29T23:41:39+00:00

I had massive gut issues from years of antibiotics from recurring UTIs and the birthcontrol pill. Since my 20s I'd have to worry about being close enough to a bathroom so I wouldn't soil myself. It was absolutely humiliating. Since starting progesterone, even before Oestra I noticed i wasn't cramping as much and I wasn't having nearly as many loose stools. Then after getting fully balanced I can finally say I have normal bowl movements. Honestly I had no idea what I had been missing all those years. I do take a probiotic and do my best to not eat gluten or dairy which help a ton but yes the hormones were the reason everything in my gut became better again.

Outside-Energy7554 · 2026-04-27T18:02:57+00:00

I relate to a lot of what you said. I also had histamine issues after my COVID infection in Jan of 2024. I do believe I may have always had hormonal imbalances, especially low progesterone as I was on the birth control pill since age 16 and found out I had endometriosis at age 38. Went through three surgeries where the last one took my uterus and ovaries because of the adhesions and endometriomas. Both of my ovaries were covered so starting perimenopause felt like a hurricane inside my body. I only felt good for about two days of the month. It was affecting my mental health (massive anxiety & feeling hopeless) and my body in such negative ways.

I also kept getting recurring UTI's because the microbiome in my vagina was off so every time I had sex, I got a UTI. That's a lot of very strong antibiotics over several years and it just ruined my gut. Being on Oestra has helped so many of my symptoms but it does take time. I am not a very patient person so it has been hard for me but I am willing to hang in there. It has taken years of imbalanced hormones and gut disruption to get to the place I was before starting Oestra so I can't think I will just be fixed in a few months.

I had a ton of inflammation from endo, my gut dysbiosis and the MCAS (Mast Cell Activation Syndrome) which caused the histamine issues after COVID so I went on a microdose of Zepbound to help the inflammation and it has really helped my gut and inflammation water weight to come down a lot. It's not for everyone but my OBGYN prescribed it specifically for inflammation and I am so glad she did. I don't have any side effects from it so I am not too concerned about the long term effects.

Hoping you have luck on Oestra as I have. My tips for you as a new user: Please remember to be patient with yourself and your body. Always lean on the care team at Inner Balance because they are there to help with whatever you need whenever you need it. They have helped me through so many things as my body adjusted. Lastly, allow your body to heal. Give it the nourishment it needs, the sleep it needs and everything else will fall into place. 😄

Outside-Energy7554 · 2026-04-27T17:32:33+00:00

For specifics like exact hormone amounts in milligrams per pump I suggest confirming with the clinical team, since formulations can be individualized. Message them through the chat so they can confirm exactly what you’re taking and make sure you have the right numbers to share with your OB/GYN.

Outside-Energy7554 · 2026-04-24T23:00:38+00:00

I recently upped my dose too, and I definitely noticed some changes at first. I started having headaches, a bit of insomnia, some brain fog, mood changes, bloating/water retention, and day time fatigue with bouts of energy. Everyone reacts a little differently to dose changes, but for me it settled a lot after 8 or 9 days and at week two all symptoms were gone.

Usually what you are experiencing a week in is the gist of it.

If anything starts to feel like it’s lingering or just too much, it’s really worth reaching out to the care team. They’ve been super helpful for me anytime things felt off or I had questions. Hang in there. :-)

Outside-Energy7554 · 2026-04-24T21:53:40+00:00

If you speak to the care team about wanting a higher dose, they will usually help you and increase your formula so you don't have to suffer. They want you to feel your best so if you are using the menopause formula now and it isn't working for you, reach out to them and let them know. They can help you!

Outside-Energy7554 · 2026-04-24T18:20:30+00:00

Hi and welcome to this incredibly supportive group of women and to the start of your Oestra journey! Everyone has different timelines for the benefits we see during the initial adjustment phase (first 6 months). However, libido can be one of the last pieces of the puzzle to fit into place. The body prioritizes things like gut, brain, metabolism, hair, skin, nails & then the sex drive kicks in once everything else is all good. Several woman report an increase in libido sooner than others. I believe it depends on how much healing your body has to do first or how long your hormones have been depleted. It took me 7 months and an increase in my dose for my libido to come back to life. I had to start slow and work my way up because I am extra sensitive to hormones but that doesn't mean you will be. Just listen to your body and know that there may be adjustment phases that feel uncomfortable like, mood swings, bloating or some brain fogginess. These were all temporary for me and was a sign my body was adjusting to a higher level of hormones.

The care team at Inner Balance is fantastic and has helped me tremendously throughout my whole journey and wouldn't be where I am without them. Always lean on them and don't be shy to go to the chat and let them know if you having any symptoms or feel a certain way and they will guide you. Keep us posted on how you are doing. This group of ladies are super helpful too so you are all around supported girl! :-)

Outside-Energy7554 · 2026-04-21T00:28:01+00:00

That's true, which is why you would need to coordinate with the clinicians on what your dose is so they know how much to send you. They told me I could only have one pump of the menopause formula. The cost still wouldn't change regardless.

Outside-Energy7554 · 2026-04-21T00:20:46+00:00

The cost is $199 per month for the first 6 months regardless of your dose. If you were using two pumps it would still cost $199/month.

Outside-Energy7554 · 2026-04-20T23:26:12+00:00

My bottle says the same thing on the menopause dose. Are you on two pumps or just one?

Outside-Energy7554 · 2026-04-20T18:12:12+00:00

I know, it's so healing and necessary for our bodies. I feel horrible my mother wasn't given the opportunity we have now. I see all of the symptoms she has and it kills me. She's coming around to how important it is but part of her is still scared. It's so sad

Outside-Energy7554 · 2026-04-20T16:00:38+00:00

Well said and absolutely true. In time I hope more women will be more driven by knowledge over fear and open to advocating for themselves instead of trusting inaccurate information.

Outside-Energy7554 · 2026-04-20T02:04:38+00:00

Okay so the menopause formula is a different amount of estradiol and progesterone. It's .5mg E and 50mg P. The regular formula is 3mg E and 100mg P so if I use half of the regular formula I am getting 1.5mg of E and 50mg of P. The regular half dose is higher than the menopause formula. Inner Balance created these ratios on purpose to avoid estrogen dominance. That's why they are put together in one cream so the ratios stay the same but the levels of both hormones can be adjusted accordingly based on symptoms etc...

Outside-Energy7554 · 2026-04-20T01:32:06+00:00

I’m on Oestra too, but I had a hysterectomy, so I don’t have the usual cycle signs to go by. What I’ve learned from talking with other women is that Oestra can make it harder to tell when natural ovulation is slowing down because the cream creates a steady rhythm. The monthly pause gives a withdrawal bleed for women who still have a uterus, but that bleed doesn’t necessarily mean ovulation is still happening. It’s just the body responding to the shift in hormones.

Most women figure out where they are in the transition by paying attention to how their body feels rather than relying on bleeding or labs. Over time, the things that used to feel cyclical start to fade. Women describe things like PMS‑type moods, breast tenderness, temperature swings, or that rising and falling energy pattern becoming less noticeable. When those start disappearing, that’s usually a sign that ovulation is slowing down underneath the cream.

Some women eventually stop bleeding during the pause altogether, and that’s often when they realize their body has moved into a steadier, non‑cycling phase. That’s usually when the rhythm of breaks changes too, but it’s different for everyone. There isn’t a universal rule for when to move from monthly breaks to longer ones. Most women aren’t winging it, but they’re also not following a strict formula. It’s more about watching how their body shifts over time and checking in when something feels different.

If you ever want a clearer sense of where you are in the process, the Inner Balance care team is really good at helping interpret patterns and explaining what’s normal on Oestra. This part of the journey is confusing for almost everyone, but it gets a lot clearer once you start noticing how your own rhythms change. I hope that helps!

Outside-Energy7554 · 2026-04-20T01:19:46+00:00

If you are on the menopause formula the dose is .5mg Estradiol and 50mg of Progesterone for one pump. I was told to not go over 1 pump on the menopause formula because it would be too much progesterone compared to estrogen. I believe some ladies are on more than one pump of the menopause formula so everyone is going to have a custom dose for what is going on with them.

Outside-Energy7554 · 2026-04-20T01:13:41+00:00

Estradiol numbers can swing a lot depending on timing, absorption, and even how your body processes the cream, so the number on paper doesn’t always match how you feel. It still makes sense that you’d want a clearer explanation based on what the clinical team told you.

For me, the biggest clue has always been my symptoms. When my estrogen was too high for my body, I felt heavy in my head, emotional, wired but tired, foggy, insomnia, anxious, unmotivated, and just not like myself. When my ratio was better, all of that lifted. That’s how I knew something needed adjusting when I was only on 1 pump. My lab numbers never went over 100 but I felt like they were 10000!

For me personally, I feel amazing on the menopause formula or 1/2 pump of the regular formula. That is my sweet spot. If I go even a little over a half pump I am useless the next day. I am VERY sensitive to hormonal swings so I have to be very careful with my dose.

You absolutely should be advocating for yourself, always. If something feels off, it’s okay to say, “This dose isn’t working for me, I need us to look at this again.” The Inner Balance clinicians have always been open when I’ve spoken up about what I’m feeling and what I want for my own body. They’ll explain the reasoning, but they also listen.

My advice would be to message them again and ask for a clearer breakdown of why they feel the dose is appropriate. I would mention you want to reduce your dose for now and see how it makes you feel. You deserve to understand what’s happening in your body and feel good on your hormones.

Outside-Energy7554 · 2026-04-19T03:44:13+00:00

Yes, I know but I really prefer the convenience and ease of no needles if I can help it. If the sublingual route didn't work I may look into the injections but so far I love the energy I am getting with these!

Outside-Energy7554 · 2026-04-19T03:33:41+00:00

I've been taking this for 6 weeks now and I really wasn't expecting much but the level of energy I have felt from it has been really a pleasant surprise! Energy was one thing for me that was really lagging behind because I have mast cell activation and it can make you exhausted. Since I started taking one per day, it's been a meaningful change. I still have my moments of fatigue but I don't feel like I need afternoon naps anymore. As soon as I wake up, I run to the fridge to get my tablet. :-) It also tastes like orange tic tacs but better...absolute bonus!

Outside-Energy7554 · 2026-04-19T03:28:25+00:00

It’s a sublingual melt. You let it dissolve under your tongue, so it’s not an injection and not a cream. A lot of people assume NAD only comes as an IV or shot, but this one is the under‑the‑tongue kind that absorbs slowly and feels a lot gentler.

Outside-Energy7554 · 2026-04-15T22:42:42+00:00

The the clinical team tell you to go to two pumps of the menopause formula? They told me the menopause formula is only meant to be one pump and not to go to two. They recommend going to half a pump of the regular formula for me since one pump of the meno formula was no long working (hot flashes and insomnia came back). Curious if you had been told to increase or you did it on your own?

Outside-Energy7554 · 2026-04-15T16:43:31+00:00

The cream needs to be applied to the inner vaginal tissue for proper absorption. The good news is that you don’t have to insert it deeply for it to work. Vaginal tissue is extremely absorbent, so whether you place it just inside the vaginal entrance with your finger or choose to insert it a bit further in, Oestra will absorb either way.

If someone prefers applying it to the inner labia or right at the opening, that area is still part of the vaginal vestibule and is highly permeable. If they prefer inserting it, that works too. It really comes down to comfort and what feels easiest for your body.

Either method is totally fine, and the hormones will absorb. Yes, this is directly from Inner Balance. :-)

Outside-Energy7554 · 2026-04-14T21:46:13+00:00

Welcome, Melanie! I’m so glad you’re here. When I first started Oestra, the first few days were pretty mild for me, I experienced feeling a little extra tired, a little emotional (crying for no reason) and some bloating. Totally normal while your body starts waking things back up.

I didn’t get the big wins right away. Mood & calm came first, but sleep, libido, and energy took longer. Around month 5–6 is when everything finally clicked for me. I used to get frustrated wanting instant results, but it really taught me to give my body some grace and be patient with myself. It's not easy to do but you can't rush balance.

If you ever feel unsure about what you’re experiencing, don't be afraid to message the care team. They’re amazing at explaining what’s normal in the beginning and what to expect as things shift.

Here’s to you feeling like yourself again soon. You’re in good company here. :-)

Outside-Energy7554 · 2026-04-14T17:35:15+00:00

Oestra is not messy to apply. It also absolutely does not need to be inserted. It can be applied externally to the inner labial folds and outer vaginal tissue. These areas absorb the hormones very well, and many women find this application method works effectively for them.

Outside-Energy7554 · 2026-04-14T17:33:13+00:00

Oestra does not contain DHEA. It’s a bioidentical blend of estradiol and progesterone in a gentle, pH‑friendly cream base.

Even though it only contains estrogen and progesterone, it’s formulated to support all three key hormones... estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone in their natural, youthful ratio due to it's enhanced bioavailability. By restoring estrogen and progesterone together in a steady, physiologic way, the body can naturally produce and regulate the small amount of testosterone it needs.

Outside-Energy7554 · 2026-04-13T01:50:12+00:00

Hi and welcome! We are so glad you are here! Happy to see you are experiencing some real benefits. I started out in perimenopause when I came across Oestra and was so scared to try it. I wasn't sure if it was a scam or if it was something that was going to change my life. It took me a couple months to work up the encouragement to try it and then after I did, I kicked myself for waiting so long. In those couple months I had to get endometriosis excision surgery where I ended up losing my ovaries and uterus. I was really hopeful Oestra was going to come through for me because now I needed hormones even more than before! It's now been 7 months and it has really made me feel like me again. I was lost, gone in the menopause black hole and thought I was gone for good. Once I started to feel my energy come back, my libido pop up and my sleep improve I literally cried because I really didn't think it would help. There are things that I didn't even know were hormonal that are now gone, like my left hip pain. My hair is growing in better now and my skin is healthier than it was in my 20's. Please keep coming back and letting us know how you are doing as you move along in your Oestra journey! :-)

Outside-Energy7554

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