Does someone use or used the BiEst?
My doctor tells me that the 'expiration date' is short. So it's a problem to get it, because it has to be shipped to The Netherlands. How short is the expiration date?
And why is dr. T's first choice the BiExt and not another bio-identical estrogen?

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I use BiEst but I'm afraid I don't know the answers to your questions. I get it from ITC pharmacy. Their web site is www.itcpharmacy.com Phone: 1-305-565-3688 or 1-888349-5453.
I am sure the pharmacist would be happy to answer your questions about the expiration date.

Thanks Mary, I will contact them. I saw on the website that I can also e-mail a pharmacist. Maybe easier, with the language barrier.

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Step by step..

Mary, or someone else,
I still have problems to get the BiEst. The pharmacist here doesn't know how to make it. I have e-mailed ITC Pharmacy about the ingredient list, if it is possible to give it, and they did not respond.
So I think that is a no.
Are you willing to tell me what the cream costs in the US?
You could PM me, if you do not want it on the board.
That way I have an indication, then I maybe let it ship in from the US.

And do they sell an applicator (or something) with it? Because here they do not have it. I could try with a syringe (my doctor told me), but I don't know if that is possible. And I don't like to use every day approximately....I want the exact dose.

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Step by step..

The Biest that I use costs me $54.00 and seems to last nearly two months. Of course that could vary depending on the prescription strength, although in my experience with ITC, the cost seems to be mostly in the preparation rather than the strength. I use two pumps a day.

The Biest is in the form of cream that comes in a pump dispenser. You simply rub the cream into the skin of your inner thighs or arms. It's very simple. Is it possible for you to get a prescription through a U.S. doctor and order it directly through ITC? Or maybe you can have your doctor order it from ITC directly. Have you tried calling ITC? They are very good about answering my questions whenever I call.

Thank you again Mary,

I have e-mailed Cheryl about the ingredients list. Maybe she knows. If she doesn't know, I am going to buy it from ICT, only the shipping time can be a problem. Sometimes it takes 3 weeks to get it, when I order from this website.
With the supplements running low or having nothing for days is not a big deal, but with hormones it would be a problem.
I will call them first, maybe they have a solution for the shipping problem.

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Step by step..

Men joke around about women and menopause, but sometimes I forget to add my testosterone or run out, WOW the night sweats and feeling crappy.

My doc ordered the BiEst and testosteron cream at ITC pharmacy. I thought maybe best to start with it seperately, to see how my body handles it and to try which dosage is best for me.

But another problem occur. The Testosteron cream could not be sent to me. Some U.S. rule, I needed an American doc to prescribe it! ITC told me I could order it at a German pharmacy.

Finally two weeks ago I got the BiEst. I was so happy after three months purchasing it.
I started almost right away on the second day of my cycle.

Almost immediately I got frustrated. After two days of taking it, the frustration was so severe, that I had to stop the BiEst. I had heart palpitations/racing and the frustration. I couldn't get rid off the frustrations. Normally I can let it go (negative feelings), but with the BiEst I couldn't.

Now I'm planning to start with the BiEst again in the second half of my cycle. Has anyone any idea's about it?

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And the costs were different from Mary. Thought maybe good thing to know for others who also live abroad, like I do.
I ordered:

* BiEst 2.5 mg (= 0.5 mg estradiol and 2 mg estriol) + 30 mg Progesteron in 2/10 cc of topical vaginal cream.
Price for 100 days supply = $129.95 or 200 day supply = $207.85
Mailing $33 + delivery costs/tax $34.83. Total: $197.78 (for 100 days)

* Testosteron 3 mg in a different topical vaginal cream.
100 days supply = $145.60 or 200 day supply = $236.80

The dose you are on is different from mine. I take Biest 2 with 1 mg estriol and 1 estradiol. The testosterone is 2.5 mg. Progesterone is 30 mg. They also are in a different delivery medium--the Testosterone and Estrogen are creams that I rub into the skin of my outer thighs and arms while the progesterone is a capsule that I take orally.

I am really surprised at how expensive your preparations are but maybe all the differences I mentioned account for the differences in price.

For me Bi-est is $54.00; Progesterone is 43.60; Testosterone is $74.80

My experience is bound to be different from yours since I am older and in menopause but I can't help but wonder if your dose is too high and that could be causing your symptoms. Or maybe there is an imbalance since you haven't yet been able to start the testosterone.

Also, ITC offers an automatic refill program that will give you a 10% discount. Once you get stable on your doses, you might be able to save some money that way.

As for the testosterone. Why don't you send an email to Cheryl? I seem to remember her saying something about being able to help in getting a prescription. She may also be able to guide you regarding your symptoms.

Thanks Mary for your reply,

I'm still wondering why the Testosterone cream is so different in price, but I can't get it from them...so....

I have a drawing with it, where I can apply the cream. The BiEst with Progestrone can be rubbed in to inner thighs or inner upper arms and inner lower arms.
For the Testosterone that are the inner thighs or labia.

Dr. T says in FFTF that you can start with the BiEst and add later (four to eight weeks) the Testostrone, because that can give less side effects from the Testosterone.
But I'm not sure if I need the Testosterone cream anymore.

I thought maybe Cheryl would respond on the board, but I will email her. I don't think she can help with the prescription. She said on the board that she can help giving a order form from the Cape pharmacy.