In my most up-to-date “what I’m doing for my well being” weblog put up, I discussed that I used to be assembly with my OB-GYN to debate HRT (hormone substitute remedy). We had truly met and chatted about it a pair instances earlier than however I by no means felt fairly able to strive something.
I used to be hesitant for 2 causes. First, I wasn’t having any extreme signs. Sleep was fantastic sufficient more often than not. I had a couple of extra temper swings than I remembered having prior to now, however who doesn’t, proper? My luteal part was a more and more tougher with fatigue and fewer endurance, however oh effectively. That occurs, proper?
Second, I actually hate the concept of being reliant on something. I get the irony that I take cod liver oil and vitamin D often and rely on that for immune assist, however one thing a couple of prescription felt totally different to me. That is simply my very own psychological block.
After one other good dialog with my practitioner and loads of assurance I may cease at anytime if I modified my thoughts, I used to be prescribed 100mg of micronized progesterone (bioidentical) within the type of a capsule to take as soon as a day at bedtime.
I used to be cautiously optimistic it will be helpful, having heard that 1/3 of girls really feel it’s their saving grace, 1/3 can’t tolerate it as a result of it makes them really feel horrible, and 1/3 don’t discover any type of distinction. Effectively, thank my fortunate stars as a result of it seems I’m within the former group. Insert tacky flexing pic right here as a result of each put up wants some type of picture.
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I wasn’t even certain what I used to be anticipating. Maybe a bit of leveling out of my emotional ups and downs? What I’ve skilled is a lot extra.
I began taking it whereas on day 3 of my cycle as a result of that’s the day I stuffed the prescription and was advised to begin that night time and take each night (no biking it). Instantly I began sleeping tremendous effectively. I slept arduous and woke refreshed. Little issues that have been minor annoyances earlier than (the canine loud night breathing, David respiratory) not appeared to interrupt my means to sleep.
I additionally started noticing I felt extra even-keeled. I used to be much less bothered by issues. I’m making an attempt to consider one of the simplest ways to elucidate it; nearly like one thing irritating would occur and my response can be “oh. okay, effectively, no large deal.” Cool as a cucumber.
A pal of mine who had her personal expertise with progesterone stated it made her nearly too mellow to the place her husband was involved as a result of she didn’t appear to care about a lot of something. Whereas that isn’t my expertise, I may see what she meant. I simply really feel usually unbothered, however nonetheless am capable of expertise emotional ups and downs, it’s simply not the extra dramatic swings I used to be experiencing earlier than. I really feel extra able to dealing with stressors.
The weirdest realization to me is that whereas I might not have stated I felt anxious earlier than, I’m now questioning if I used to be having some nervousness that I didn’t actually understand? This may occasionally sound like bizarre instance of this, however no matter, I’m sharing anyhow:
I don’t love watching myself on digicam. I really like folks and connection, however posting myself on Instagram tales had slowly grow to be tougher. I might analyze the best way I stated one thing and generally simply go delete it instantly as a result of I felt uncomfortable (or anxious?). This had not been the case for years, however over the previous 12-18 months I seen it creep up. I simply felt cringy posting and it made me really feel uncomfortable (once more… anxious?)
Since I began taking progesterone, I’m feeling fantastic to simply present up and share. I don’t care to rewatch it and take into consideration what folks could also be pondering in the event that they watch it. I simply be happy to be me. And I don’t actually care what folks could also be pondering. It’s so liberating. I really feel like ME once more. So perhaps I used to be experiencing some nervousness and it manifested itself in withdrawing? I really don’t know.
It’s made me marvel if I used to be experiencing extra low stage nervousness than I spotted over the previous yr or in order I’ve seen my hormones fluctuating. As a result of by some means that tiny 100mg progesterone has made me really feel extra like myself than I’ve in fairly some time.
I don’t love that I’m making this factor out to be a superhero, however I’ve simply been pleasantly shocked on the outcomes. I felt them instantly, however wished to verify I acquired by way of an entire month (not simply follicular part) earlier than reporting again. And now I’ve!
How does these items work? My understanding is that at 43 years outdated my private estrogen remains to be robust. My pure progesterone ranges could also be a bit erratic because the physique solely produces progesterone after ovulation, and at this traditional “early perimenopause” stage ovulation can grow to be irregular. So the oral progesterone helps hold my stage extra regular.
Surprising to none, I’m not a physician, so specialists be happy to weigh in right here and likewise if it’s one thing you’re interested in, discover a good physician in your space to speak to. Hormone assist in our 40’s and 50’s undoubtedly appears to be an space of quickly rising curiosity and experience.
I suppose I simply wish to share this as brazenly and truthfully as attainable as a result of I’ve been so inspired by my 40+ buddies sharing their hormone altering experiences (the great, the dangerous, the supplementing with HRT, and the going with out HRT). I additionally take into consideration some conditions the place folks I do know have gone by way of a “midlife disaster” or made drastic, life-altering choices proper round their mid-40’s and marvel if hormonal fluctuation was an element and understanding/assist may have made a distinction?
Like my OB-GYN advised me, each lady is totally different, which is what makes HRT difficult. It’s not a one dimension matches all and private wants can change additional time.
That is simply my story of my first month and I hope it’s useful. <3
