- More around the middle
- Night sweats
- Wine in the evening to relax
- Sore boobs
- Reduced energy
- Anxiety
Perimenopause.
The word alone should make me shutter. My husband and I have been looking at houses with bigger garages. I have to wonder if he is dreaming of man cave where he can hide for the next 10 years.
We both watched my mom go through this though. She almost didn't make it out alive (one more year and I'm sure one of us would've killed her and hid the body... I say this with much love) 'They' say your mother is a good indication of how it will go down for you. Nope! HU UH! Not gonna happen!
These are things no one talks about. They are too personal. Embarrassing even! Fact is, we talk about it so little, that it is best that we just suffer in silence and hope our loved ones don't notice. Bullshit!! This is a health matter! This affects our quality of life, and I'm talking to the men here too!!! Guys, if she ain't happy....... Neither are you my friend!
So what do we do?? Well, I'll tell you what I'm not going to do. I won't go to my family physician and ask him for help. Why? Glad you asked! He is an idiot!! Yeah, I said it. When it comes to female issues, he is about as clueless as a door knob trying to heat a house. He will take the first course of action needed to heal all women everywhere.
Birth control pill + antidepressant fixes all female things!!
My course of action?
READ. EXPLORE. LEARN. EXPERIMENT.
STAY EDUCATED, INVOLVED, AND PROACTIVE IN MY OWN HEALTH.
I'm starting with the book, The Hormone Cure by Dr. Sara Gottfried, MD. I absolutely love her philosophies, logic, science, and approach to women's health. She is also supported by, and partnered with leading doctors such as, Dr. Chistiane Northrup, M.D., and Dr. Mark Hyman, M.D. . She deals in functional medicine and talks in great detail about lifestyle, how we move, breath, sleep, eat, and supplement. She also educates on how to find out what hormones are imbalanced and how to balance them using multiple methods, not just limited to pharmaceutical.
I have only just begun my quest for balanced hormones. When I talk to people about this, they sarcastically wish me luck . Seems many have been down this road with little, to no avail. That won't stop me from staying proactive and educating myself. Doing what I am doing is undoubtedly going to make more improvements in this journey than doing nothing at all and leaving it to be my family physician's problem.
Steps I have begun to take thus far?
(I am in no way suggesting or prescribing methods for anyone who reads this. I am simply sharing what I am trying in my own journey)
- yoga everyday! (whether I have 15 or 90 minutes, for my personality, this is imperative) I'm on day 13 right now with success =)
- Maca 1 TBSP/daily Brand bought from Marlenes Whole Foods Store: Healthforce SuperFood MacaForce-vanilla spice ( maca described by John Gray, Author of Men are from MarsWomen are from Venus )
- Stepping away from my nightly glass (or 2 ) of red. ~ this one is scary because wine relaxes me at the end of the day when I am otherwise wired, or anxious.
- Letting go of unrealistic expectations of myself (so hard!)
- learning about supportive vitamins that assist with my hormone imbalances
- Researching Gynecologists in my area that practice functional medicine and specialize in perimenopause
- Asking my husband for help and support. (this one is the hardest for me! I don't ask for help easily. I have serious baggage with this one.)
I have only been actively at this for about a month, and there are many more steps to take in this journey. Today, I am sharing this with all of you because, no matter your age, you too will have to think about this (guys too!). It is my hope that we brake the chains of being quietly helpless, while our doctors load us up with hormones and antidepressants. I'm sure I won't get through this with zero issues, but I know I (and those around me) will be much better off if I take responsibility for my health, and do my part. I hope to inspire others to do the same.
And one more peace (word play) of advice for myself; don't take life so serious. Stay light. Have fun!
If you have ideas/inspirations, throw em my way! Frustrated? Talk to me! But, let's keep it positive. The last thing anyone wants to hear is, "I've tried it all and NOTHING helps!" Let's change that dialog.
More resources I have found:
Dr. Sara Gottfried's Free online hormone quiz
The Health Bridge FREE Podcast : Full of lots of great stuff!!!
The Health Bridge's youtube page (wellchannel) incase you don't have itunes
Yoga by Candace Youtube page 10-60 minute sessions Love her
How do you take your maca?
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DeletePowder form, in water. I tried it in my pre-workout smoothy,in the afternoon but it really irritated my stomach. My system takes it better in the morning with breakfast since that is a high protein, high fat meal for me. =)
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