Let’s finish my story so we can move on to YOURS! The intention here is to be open, vulnerable and (maybe too) specific….TMI…about my experience, so others would feel free to do the same. My hope is that through this sharing, we might also share the things that WORK well during this time of transition.
I was told that hormone replacement therapy was not an option for me, “AT ALL”, my ob/gyn said. My mom and aunt had both had bouts with breast cancer and I had already experienced thyroid cancer and a pre-cancerous mole removed. That made sense at the time. This was also based on a popular study that was released in the early 2000s that indicated that HRT was a bad choice for almost everyone. Since then, the study has been refuted and is widely dismissed.
If I had educated myself I would have realized it didn’t maybe didn’t apply to me anyway. But that is all mute now. Lesson learned: educate yourself, you are worth the time and energy!
For me, time, lots of prayer, and a few adjustments to my life allowed me to find ways to function during this trying time. So here is a little list of things that worked for me, maybe something here will lead you to something that helps you, too!
Here is my list of PERSONAL menopause /hormone helps:
- Prayer-I developed a deeper prayer life and it was a LITERAL life saver!
- Exercise-daily movement
- Good nutrition-not perfect, but reasonable and doable for most people. Find a healthy food plan you can stick with long-term and fits YOU.
- Good doctors-I found some doctors who at least listened and tried to help with answers and resolutions, and who did not just want to write a prescription as the first line of fire.
- Ashwagandha-a supplement that does help with hot flashes and anxiety/mood
- Vit D and calcium
- Drink Water-dehydration shows up in weird ways, make sure you drink half your weight in ounces or at least close. Do not count anything else, or at least fully. I give myself a little ‘credit’ for other beverages and the hydration from some foods, but not much. That water is life.
- Spend time with people you love and who care about you. Even when you REALLY don’t want to, even if you never say a word about yourself. Do not isolate yourself.
- Give yourself grace, but not too much – wallowing really doesn’t help…I know, I have tried it J
- Educate and advocate for your self – PLEASE do not leave this one off! It is ok for you to expect and desire to feel better!
So, your turn! What are you finding that helps, has helped or sounds like it WILL help you (depending on where YOU are in your journey)?? Please share so we can all benefit as we travel this road TOGETHER!
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