Just thinking about the title is bringing on a hot flash. I am mad at menopause and although I am excited about being in the 50 club, I am not enjoying the hormonal changes that my body is experiencing right now. I will be talking very candidly about my experience with hormone changes and my body in this blog, and this is not meant to offend anyone, but this is a subject that many are afraid to discuss out of embarrassment, fear, and the belief that these things are to be the “kept secret” of women. I say bullshit to that. Health involves discussing all things as it relates to the human body and aging, and I for one am all about sharing, learning, and getting feedback from others on the subject.
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I have been frantically researching hormone imbalance for a few years now, have tried supplementation, herbals, transdermal creams, and natural moisturizers at an attempt to restore balance in my body. I am very aware of the foods that help with hormone balance and eat my share of raw pumpkin seeds and watermelon. Being a trainer and walking the talk of my profession and passion, I exercise consistently which is another way to help with the stresses of hormone imbalance. Some women may sail right through without a hitch in the get along, but not this girl, and through my research I have discovered I am not alone in a big way with those that are suffering.
I began experiencing night sweats years ago, which I easily managed with a transdermal OTC progesterone cream, and that seemed to be the biggest drag of my premenopausal time. However and for a few years now, my periods began to dictate when they would come, or not, and if I would need super plus everything or not. I do not know from one month to the next if I am in full menopause. According to my doctor, I am required to not have a cycle for one full year. Also, I enjoy my gynecologist and have to say she is easy to talk to, and I respect her opinion and am able to share my desire to go through this process as natural as possible. The thing about most western medicine doctors is non-support of bio-identical hormones, and they are generally not covered by insurance. So be prepared for such roadblocks, but also do not be afraid to be yourself and cover every concern with your doctor.
Menopause has been a thief of my womanhood, has plagued me with sleepless nights, is cooking me from the inside out, caused frequent UTIs, and the worst part … a broken “ya-ya”. This may sound funny, but I am at the point of frustration and working very hard at making the best decisions for me and my body. I am sure that many can relate to what I am sharing and I am hoping for lots of comments so that we can all support and share what has worked or not worked. This can no longer be a hide behind the door subject, but as women, it is important to be brave, embrace who we are, what we are going through, and create a voice for answers. I will get off my soap box now and dive right into my journey of being mad at menopause.
The dreaded hot flash comes at all hours of the day and night, and for some reason, I am bothered most at night. It is so frustrating to not get a full night sleep and that alone can really put me on edge. I have discovered that I am best under a light sheet with one leg covered and one leg exposed. I also sleep with the ceiling fan going which seems to help. Lord help me if I have a glass of wine in the evening as that will trigger a hot flash before I finish the glass and will definitely haunt me during sleep time, so the key is to stay away from the triggers. What has helped, and with my doctor’s recommendation, with many of my symptoms is Maca Root powder, an herbal that I mix in my green shake each day. Before taking the product, I put in the necessary research of pros and cons, and decided to give it a go. What I am sharing has worked and not worked for me, and it is important for each of us to be our own health care advocates and not jump into the “try this” without putting in the research time. Do not take my word as gospel, as my body is different than yours, and what I share is helpful and informative, and hopefully a motivation to start your own journey of research.
Moving on to other mad at menopause symptoms: decreased sexual sensitivity, increased bladder discomfort and UTIs, and the dreaded “dry vagina” or what I like to call the broken ya-ya. Talk about the worst of the worst and are you kidding me?? This has got to be the most unfair situation ever as sex is a very important part of a healthy marital relationship, and we as women need to feel confident about our bodies, our abilities, and not feel guarded about the act because our minds get so focused on things like: “will I orgasm, am I too dry, will it hurt too much, it is too much trouble … and the list can go on and on”. Personally, I refuse to be a woman on the edge with the inability to get over the fence and I am referring to orgasm here. I enjoy this part of my life in a very positive way so research focused in this area has been very thorough. I have discovered a new vaginal suppository with a coconut oil and vitamin E makeup that works better than most of the OTC products out there. I use ½ a suppository daily and that keeps me naturally moisturized for the day and into the evening. My goal is to prevent vaginal atrophy and yes this is what occurs during menopause and in laymen terms, we women start drying up like a prune with a sandpaper interior that clearly states “do not enter or else”. I refuse to allow any such nonsense to happen, and am fighting for my sexual right as a woman and wife.
Decreased sensitivity during sex can also occur as the body no longer carries the blood supply to the vaginal tissue and clitoris. Research sent me to L-arginine supplementation which is an amino acid naturally occurring in our body, and studies have shown help with blood supply and flow to the sex organs. Well, this turned out to be a huge waist of my time, and contributed to cold sores which I can be prone and my research lead me to discover that although it may assist with increased blood supply, L-arginine use also stimulates the virus causing cold sores and so that really ticked me off. I tossed that out and refused to walk around with a mouth full of hurt in order to supply my other lips. Thank goodness I also keep a supply of Lysine, an immunity boosting amino acid which works to prevent cold sores and I increased the dose to counter act the negative side effects of the L-arginine. L-arginine will not be a part of my program.
Another unfortunate menopause related problem that occurs with me has been severe bouts of UTI (urinary tract infection) type symptoms that will wake me in the middle of the night, send me to the floor, and in a fetal position. I have a low-dose antibiotic on standby when these events occur, OTC Cystex, and cranberry supplements. I found that a heating pad also helps along with OTC pain reliever like Aleve. Also, I begin a protocol of increased water and additional 100% cranberry juice to flush out my system. I am very in tune to my body and can feel when this starts coming on so many of the times I do catch it early and am able to not lose too much time or days off work. The night may suck getting the symptoms calmed down, but once manageable, I can function pretty well at work and in general.
I have also looked into HRT (hormone replacement therapy), and currently researching bio-identicals which is still HRT, but with hormone closely related to our own body production. I have decided I will not take any systemic estrogen by mouth because I do not want the hormone to metabolize through my liver and into my bloodstream. The incidence of cancer is greater with such therapy so this door is forever closed for me. I am trying a vaginal insert pill of very low dose estrogen which is localized to the vaginal tissues and in an effort to plump up and restore natural vaginal lubrication and reduction of UTI issues. I even had doubts and fears regarding cancer with the vaginal insert, but after discussion with natural doctors, and those doctors prescribing bio-identical hormone, their first course of treatment is this very thing: vaginal cream, pill, or ring. My online research also reduced my fears, and I am willing to give it a go for a few months and am hoping for a positive outcome. I will need to report back with my personal findings. I do welcome feedback from women, or husbands whose wives are currently using vaginal insert low estrogen and how it has been helpful or not.
I have had many discussions with women going through the same issues from menopause and that alone is a help that I am not alone. It can feel like such a desperate and frustrating time not knowing the best course of action to take, and most important not to subject ourselves to cancer or other disease in the process of discovery. It feels unfair that very little research and clinical studies into women’s dysfunction caused by menopause have not been completed so that we may have more options, and feel more confident in our decision making. If anything, I hope my personal share on the subject has been helpful, and provides a comfort that you are not alone in your frustration. Keep up the research and find what works best for you and your body. We are all on this journey of life and the transitions along the way and all we can do is our best. Take good care and Stay Healthy!
I dedicate this Blog to my fabulous husband who is always supportive and understanding. Thanks Don for your patience, and always knowing the right words to say at just the right times. I love you forever and a day!
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Darla
Instead of being mad at menopause, I am now calling it a journey through menopause. The drastic symptoms have softened thanks to research, talking with my doctors, and making treatment decisions that best fit my body. As women we will all experience menopause and the havoc placed upon our bodies during this transition. Menopause is part of life and health and not a subject to be hushed and brushed under the carpet. There is no shame or embarrassment discussing anything that relates to health and fitness. We have lived too long with our heads tucked between our tails and still thinking how dare we use the term "vagina" in public. Come on now, we are all grown women and men for that matter and this is a `need to take care of issue` for women and the men who support them.
One year later and I am feeling fabulous. I no longer take OTC herbal blends and decided to give bio-identical hormone therapy a try. I have been on the bio-identicals for 10-months now and the improvement in menopause symptoms is remarkable. In addition, I have continued the low dose estrogen vaginal insert pill and very happy with the `plumped up` results. I also use natural coconut oil and vitamin E suppositories regularly for internal vaginal moisturizing. My hot flashes went away within 2-weeks of bio-identical therapy and as the months have gone by, I feel like my old self again. Emotionally and physically my body feels like it has been brought back into hormonal balance and I am functioning at what I would call a normal level.
My confidence is renewed, my thinking is clear, and sex is great. I am taking an additional herb that I will not disclose right now until I can provide fair feedback. I will share that it has to do with increased vascular functioning. My lifestyle of eating healthy and exercising regularly continues to help residual menopause symptoms. The only thing remaining is irregular bleeding which is normal on or off bio-identical hormones. I may go 3 months with no cycle and get that surprise period which can be light or heavy.
I do not know how long I will require trans dermal bio-identical hormone therapy but am happy that I made the decision to go this route for my body. It has changed my frustrations into stress free days of going through the transition and I look forward to no longer having periods...sweet freedom. Sharing my journey through menopause is not only informative but to support you are not alone in the process. However, we are all individuals needing to be our own health care advocates. It is important to make the best choices for ourselves through research and doctor discussions. If anything, be motivated there is hope to feeling better going through menopause and always be pro-active when it comes to your health.
