Looking for answers & learning about hormones
Hey there, my wonderful friends!
So, let's catch up. You might remember that not too long ago, I had a heart-to-heart lunch with a dear friend who opened up about her hormone journey. Little did I know that this conversation would kickstart my own quest for answers about my hormonal health. Buckle up, because it's been quite the rollercoaster ride!
My journey took me to a local clinic called Underground Strength. There, I had to coordinate my visits with specific days of my cycle to get my blood drawn, ensuring my hormone levels were just where they needed to be. After about a week of waiting, I returned to have the results read and figure out the next steps.
Surprise, surprise! It turned out that I not only had low levels of testosterone but also an issue with estrogen dominance when the progesterone numbers came into play. To top it off, there was a pesky protein in my blood blocking testosterone absorption, and I needed a boost of vitamin D and potassium as well. I'd already suspected the potassium issue due to my high blood pressure meds.
With newfound hope and a stash of prefilled shots and supplements (shoutout to boron and DIM-plus), I embarked on this hormone-balancing adventure. As they say, Rome wasn't built in a day, and the same goes for hormonal harmony. I was told it might take around three months to see any changes in my body composition, but I might notice other effects sooner.
However, reality didn't quite match my expectations. After completing two months of shots, my body remained stubbornly unchanged. Instead of the promised boost in libido, I seemed to be dealing with more acne on my back! But hey, I'm not here to throw shade at the clinic – every body is unique, and what works wonders for one person may not do the trick for another. I've made peace with that.
Fast forward to my annual checkup time! I paid a visit to my primary care physician, armed with a list of specific requests, including another round of hormone testing, vitamin D levels, and potassium. My blood pressure was thankfully A-okay, but when it came to my hormone issues, it felt like hitting a brick wall. My labs were deemed "normal," but let's face it – "normal" is a highly subjective term, especially when it comes to women's hormones. I was flabbergasted to learn that doctors aren't extensively trained on the intricate details of women's hormones during med school. I mean, isn't that mind-boggling? The lack of information out there is a whole other topic for another day! My primary suggested trying a sublingual B12 supplement for my energy slump. At this point, I was game for anything, and lo and behold, the B12 tabs did wonders for my energy levels! Of course, always consult your doctor before trying something new.
Next up, my yearly visit to my OBGYN had me buzzing with anticipation. I thought, for sure, I'd finally get some answers. I refused to accept that my "normal" labs were truly normal. But my testosterone shots didn't sit well with my OBGYN. She believed there wasn't enough solid research backing their benefits and suggested that this might be the reason behind my extra acne and shorter temper. She also reassured me that, since I was having a regular cycle and my labs looked decent, everything was A-okay. And then came the kicker – she said it is likely just AGING and that can bring a heap of changes to the female body, and every decade brings its unique set of challenges. Um, excuse me, but no thanks! I'm 39 and determined to feel my absolute best!
She even brought up the idea of upping my Paxil dose, but that was a hard pass for me. I felt just fine in that department, thank you very much. What I really wanted were answers to this unexplained weight gain. And to those who might blame Paxil, I was on the lowest dose, and I'd been taking it for six months when the weight gain started. So, that theory didn't hold water.
So, there I was, sitting in my car, tears flowing, and frustration building. I felt like I'd hit a dead-end. Where on earth do I go from here?
It's funny how God has a way of guiding you. Instagram must have been eavesdropping on my conversations because The Women's Health Company suddenly started popping up on my feed. And then, during a trip to the salon, my stylist suggested reaching out to someone named Brookes Vaughn – who, as it turns out, is the owner of The Women's Health Company! It felt like God was pointing me in this direction.
Now, I'm on her schedule for the first of October, and I couldn't be more excited about this next step in my journey. I didn't go back to Underground Strength, for reasons I can't quite put my finger on. Maybe they didn't follow up with me, or perhaps I just needed a bit more personalized care.
I'm looking forward to what the future holds and will never stop seeking answers. After all, we only get one life, and I'm determined to live it to my fullest potential!
Stay tuned for more updates on my journey to hormonal harmony – because we're in this together, ladies! 💪🌟
YES YOU CAN,
Morgan
