Riding the roller coaster of hormones in our 40s is proving to be confusing, a little harrowing at times and also empowering.
Dear friends,
The topic of perimenopause seems to be everywhere all of a sudden and yet there is so much conflicting information it is becoming clear to me that we are at a new frontier in women's health. Below are some of my personal thoughts, concerns and solutions - I am not a doctor nor an expert, just a traveler on the path.
We know that women have been understudied and focused on in medicine and also that HRT (hormone replacement therapy) is largely misunderstood and administered even by doctors. I've been conducting some of my own laywoman research and most doctors receive 4 hours of education on menopause in medical school, if that. HRT, which has brought many women relief from symptoms was demonized by a now debunked study saying it caused breast cancer. This led to women older than us missing out on it and then our generation missing out on being able to turn to those older women in our lives for help and advice on how they navigated this chapter in their lives with HRT.
Some friends and myself included have had some of the symptoms most people talk about- trouble sleeping, the occasional hot flash, joint pain (didn't know about that one!), and extremely heavy periods. These are rough yet roughest for me has been generalized anxiety lasting for weeks while on HRT (the estradiol patch and progesterone at night). All of the other symptoms have gone away, but this anxiety is overwhelming. And I know it is hormone related as I have never had it before with the exception of early pregnancy and my boobs are killing me! What makes it worse is not know who to trust and turn to for guidance- do I go off HRT? Do I up my dose? This week, I had an appointment with MIDI, a Telehealth platform devoted to women in this phase of life. Several friends have turned to these focused platforms and I was frustrated enough to give it a go. I felt good about my appointment and am going to see how I adjust to my nurse practitioner's prescription.
Here are other things I am doing. I hope these suggestions help and please share your tips!
1. Working my daily practices of qigong, meditation, journaling and deep breathing.
2. Exercising several times a week - hiking in the sun (Vitamin D helps), yoga, bouncing on a trampoline, strength training with and without weights.
3. Taking more baths with Epsom salts.
4. Doing my own research. I am loving Naomi Watts' book, "Dare I Say It."
5. Brewing my own red raspberry leaf and nettle tea which helps support our hormones and helps with keeping hair thick and luscious.
6. Taking tryptophan, l-theanine and magnesium glycerinate before bedtime which really helps me sleep soundly through the night most nights.
7. Using our essential oil perfumes. Open for when I am just a raw puddle and The First when I am needing and wanting to get stuff done.
8. Talking about what's happening for me and asking for help! As women, we will all go through this transition and most of us may have been going through it for years and not known what was happening or that there are options available. I believe we can support each other in feeling and radiating our best!
With love,
Mary xoxo