I attempted Bioidentical Hormone Remedy (BHT). Right here’s my trustworthy tackle BHT: The Good, The Unhealthy & The Ugly.
Right here’s the backstory:
Like lots of you, I began noticing some early signs of perimenopause—nightsweats, complications, poor sleep, and temper shifts proper earlier than my interval. However truthfully, trying again, it wasn’t something too excessive. Nonetheless, understanding the advantages of beginning BHT sooner than later in perimenopause, I made a decision to provide it a attempt. I discovered an area practitioner and started utilizing oral progesterone and testosterone cream.
At first, the progesterone felt like magic. I slept higher, awakened feeling rested, and my physique and temper appeared to actually like it. However then, simply 17 days in, my interval arrived—approach sooner than regular (sometimes I run a 26-29 day cycle). Evidently, I used to be panicked. Your cycle is a key indicator of general well being, and I didn’t need to mess with it. Earlier than that, my cycles have been common, with pain-free, simple intervals. I need to hold my pure cycle so long as I can to take care of the long-term well being advantages, like coronary heart well being, bone density, and safety towards metabolic illness.
Then, there was the testosterone. At first, issues have been nice—extra power, a stronger libido, higher focus, and even constructing muscle (I placed on 2 kilos in just some months). However then, issues went haywire.
My skyrocketing testosterone was fully throwing off my blood sugar regulation, making it almost not possible to regulate my cravings. Excessive testosterone can enhance insulin resistance, which means my physique wasn’t effectively utilizing the carbs I used to be consuming—resulting in fixed (!!) starvation, power crashes, and an limitless cycle of consuming simply to really feel regular. I’d even get up ravenous in the midst of the evening, needing to eat simply to fall again asleep. Through the day, my cravings have been relentless, despite the fact that I used to be consuming loads of protein, fiber, and balanced meals. Regardless of doing all of the “proper” issues, I gained 7-9 kilos since beginning BHT.
Right here’s what I believe was taking place:
- Testosterone can drive up your metabolism and starvation, making you eat extra, whereas progesterone promotes fats storage—an ideal storm for weight achieve.
- An excessive amount of testosterone can impair insulin sensitivity—generally inside just some weeks or months—resulting in blood sugar fluctuations, intense cravings, and elevated fats storage, very like what occurs with PCOS. And I used to be residing proof of how rapidly issues might spiral!
- With my physique struggling to manage blood sugar, I used to be caught in a cycle of consuming extra simply to really feel steady, but nonetheless coping with starvation and fats achieve.
On high of the load achieve, I simply didn’t really feel like myself. I even informed my husband, Mal, “I really feel like I’m going by means of a tricky time proper now, and one thing has to vary ASAP.” I knew one thing was off, so I ran some bloodwork… and the outcomes have been stunning. My testosterone was crazy-high at 441—when regular ranges for ladies in perimenopause are solely 20-80. It was a transparent signal that my physique was out of stability, and I couldn’t ignore it any longer.
So, what’s subsequent?
As I’m penning this, I’ve determined to cease BHT altogether. I’ve been off the testosterone for two.5 weeks, and already I’m seeing enhancements in starvation and cravings. I stopped the progesterone greater than a month in the past, and I’m completely satisfied to report that my final cycle was 28 days and arrived with no signs (shock!). I’m again to specializing in the fundamentals, endurance, and consistency. After stopping the progesterone, my sleep hasn’t been nice, so I added in some slow-release melatonin earlier than bedtime to assist enhance it.
Right here’s the takeaway:
I really like the thought of BHT, however trying again, I notice I’ll have jumped the gun. This expertise made me see that I used to be already in a very good place with my well being. Positive, I had some minor perimenopause signs, however I used to be doing an important job general of sustaining stability alone. It actually strengthened how highly effective the fundamentals could be and that I didn’t want BHT in spite of everything.
What I ought to have completed was take a step again and truthfully consider how I used to be residing—taking a look at the place I might enhance my stress administration, vitamin, and consistency. As an alternative of speeding into BHT, I ought to have targeted on making sensible, sustainable adjustments. I’ve discovered that once I persist with the fundamentals, they work. And that is precisely the strategy we use in Match + Fueled. We give attention to the 4 pillars of metabolism—mindset, muscle, minerals, and macros—as a result of while you get these proper, your physique has what it must thrive. These fundamentals have served me effectively, they usually’ve helped a whole lot of girls do the identical. Early enrollment opens on 2/27, and you’ll be part of the waitlist to be the primary to know when doorways open!
I’m not towards BHT (I really suppose it’s wonderful for a lot of girls), however I do know it wasn’t the best time for me. I’ll doubtless revisit it in my late 40s when it makes extra sense for my physique. For now, I’m specializing in the foundations, which I do know will set me up for long-term success and solely make any future interventions simpler when the time comes.
Have you ever tried BHT? I’d love to listen to about your expertise. Hit reply and share the way it went for you—I’m at all times to study from others’ journeys!