![]() As a society, we overuse the phrase that something has "changed my life". The creams are in no way an inconvenience, They come in a little dispenser jar and it took me less than a week to remember my three daily doses. By using creams, I am able to bypass the liver and the absorption rate for my hormones is faster. I am also often asked why I take my hormones transdermally (using creams on my skin) rather than just pop a pill. I am very excited about that-and I attribute it to the bioidentical hormones, exercise, and supplements (including Vitamin D). I had a repeat scan done in June 2009-not only do I no longer have osteopenia, the bone density measurements in my hip, femur and spine show that I am COMFORTABLY in the normal range. July 2009 update: Three years ago when I had a DEXA (bone denisty test) the results showed that I had a mild case of osteopenia, which is the precursor to osteoporosis. The Bi/Est cream, like my other hormones, is compounded at the pharmacy and I take it transdermally, twice a day. Although I was not having any hot flashes, I began to notice over the winter of 2010-11 that I felt a little cognitively "off"-grasping for words occasionally, and not quite feeling on top of my game. Until October 2010, my FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) and estradiol levels indicated that I did not need supplemental estrogen. Oh, yeah, did I mention I am down over 120 pounds from my high weight (and still working on it)! I began taking Bi/Est cream in April 2011. I now work out at our local YMCA 5-6 days per week, which has tremendously benefited the back, hip and pelvis problems I have from a car crash in 1992. My mind is much clearer, my focus much sharper, and my anxiety level has decreased dramatically. Besides the obvious health benefits of not poisoning my body with all the medications listed above, I honestly have more energy now than I did when I was 30, and I turned 52 in June 2010. I took longer to wean off the antidepressant I was taking as those meds must be gradually tapered off to minimize side effects. Within two weeks, I was off five medications: antihistamine (cured severe seasonal allergies), acid reflux medication, sleeping medication (now I use Melatonin), blood pressure medication, and most importantly, the Ritalin/Concerta I took for Attention Deficit Disorder. The results were nothing short of astonishing! Within three days, my restless leg syndrome disappeared. I started with progesterone cream 3 times a day, and a small amount of testosterone cream every other day. I began taking bioidentical hormone therapy in September 2006. Yawn-yep, tiny little power nap after lunch and I will be good to go. Speaking of sleep-although I rarely do this, I might get in a quick nap this afternoon, I was so wound up last night after a long day that I didn't fall asleep until after 1 am, and I was up at 7 to limber up enough to go work out. It's a health issue and a safety issue-far too many people in this country drive when they are sleep deprived (I so often have women tell me that as they reach peri/menopause, they have to stop at Starbucks on the way home from the office just so they are alert enough to drive-that scares me more than I can tell you!) First of all, since sleep issues are such a common problem for women at this stage of their lives, doctors need to be more proactive in asking patients about their sleep, and secondly - don't be afraid to bring up any health concern with your doctor! If he/she tries to blow you off, stop them, stand in front of the treatment room door to bar them from leaving if you have to (I actually had a patient tell me a few months ago that she did this-good for her!) You know if you don't sleep well, it affects every aspect of your life - partner relationships, your ability to deal with your children, coworkers, friends. The study talked about in the article reveals that well over half of the women polled had not talked to their doctor about sleep issues in menopause, and that of the women who had talked to their doctors, over 90 percent of the time it was the patient who initiated the conversation about sleep issues with their physician. ![]() This morning's article is from -and there are a couple things I want you to take away from it. Getting on bioidentical hormones (along with melatonin and regular exercise) has improved my sleep greatly, although I still do have a little issue with it because of chronic pain in my back. I remember saying all those things to my doctors before I got my hormones balanced. Next to hot flashes, the most common complaints I hear from women in peri/menopausal transition is "I can't sleep", "I'm exhausted", "I'm so tired I can't stand it". Hi everyone, I am back from my day at the NC State Fair (pictures later!) We had a wonderful time, I ate too much, so now it's back to daily workouts (and my blog!) ![]()
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