Menopause and Me
I thought I would write about how my symptoms started, what it felt like, how it affected me and what I have done to find a place of health and wellbeing and return to how I felt before my symptoms.
The first sign that I was in Perimenopause was that I started getting periods, despite having the Mirena Coil. They became pretty regular and obviously I am not meant to be having them. I didn't initially connect a drop in my hormone levels and the coil coming almost to the end of it's life.
In January of this year I spoke to my GP as I was aware that if I was actually post Menopausal and bleeding then this could potentially be a sign of cancer. If you are ever concerned you could be post Menopausal and bleeding, always speak to your GP, this could for some women be life saving.
My GP did a blood test which confirmed I was very likely Perimenopausal but they would continue to follow this up to be safe. I had an ultrasound and MRI and the Gynaecologist was happy that there was nothing serious happening and that the bleeding was likely die to the Mirena Coil needing to be replaced.
At this stage I had no signs or symptoms of Menopause. I was sleeping well, and my training was going very well too. I was however aware that I was in Perimenopause and that symptoms of Menopause could come at any time.
By the middle of March this year I had started to get my first Menopausal symptoms. I should preface this with the fact that I have always been an incredibly good sleeper. The sort of person who goes to bed, is out like a light until the alarm goes off. I was also someone who then really struggled if I had more than one bad night sleep.
First signs were, I started to wake up very often in the middle of the night and I couldn't get back to sleep. Then I would wake up very early, almost 2 hours before I normally would and I was WIDE awake and just couldn't get back to sleep at all.
Then I started walking up and could feel light sweat on my body. Then I started to wake up feeling very hot and with a light sweat on my body. I was waking up 3-4 times per night and also struggling to go back to sleep.
My training and my mood started to suffer. I was finding it really hard to get the energy to go to the gym and I felt tired all day, no matter how much I ate or how much rest I tried to get during the day.
Thankfully I have completed a Menopause course with specialist Drs and, so I felt I understood enough of what was happening that is was time to contact my GP.
My GP was very understanding and said it certainly sounded like I was experiencing Menopausal symptoms and discussed a number of options to improve how I was feeling.
I said I would take some time to think about what I wanted to do. As my symptoms gradually got worse (!) I spoke to a few different people, a pharmacist, a specialist menopause nurse and my sister who is a midwife and also has HRT.
During this week, my sleep got worse, the night sweats got a little worse and I started to have hot flushes at all times of the day, not just the night. I also felt much hotter all the time. Especially in the gym I could feel that my body was not cooling me very well at all.
It became very evident that my hormone deficiency was only going to get worse and impact my life more.
A week later I called my GP and said I had enough information and my symptoms were now very bad and I was ready to start HRT.
Benefits of HRT - A Podcast with Professor Isaac Manyonda & Dr Louise Newson
I was prescribed Evorel Conti patches. Evorel Cont is a patch with both estrogen and progesterone. If my Mirena Coil is replaced it is likely that I will move on to an estrogen only patch.
I started using them on Friday1st April. They are super simple to use, unstick them, pop them on your hip or buttock and that's it. They have stayed on just fine and I have been swimming with it on and it's not been a problem. It's also a clear patch about 1 inch by 1 inch and so it's very discreet.
They are replaced twice a week, so I have set up a recurring reminder on my phone to change it over.
I can say writing this on the 14th April that I feel AMAZING again!
Honestly, within a few days my sleep had started to settle and so had the hot flushes and night sweats. They hadn't gone completely but I wasn't as aware of them at night.
Now at two weeks in I am back to sleeping deeply and all night. I have no hut flushes or night sweats. I wasn't sure what to expect and I know that finding the right medication in Menopause can involve a lot of trial and error.
I am grateful that it has improved my life so quickly.
Everything feels easier because I'm sleeping better and I generally just feel much more settled in my day to day life.
The health benefits of taking HRT far out way the negatives for me. This is a personal story and journey but I wanted to share my experience in case it helps someone reading this to start a conversation about improving the symptoms you are experiencing.
Newson Clinic
I am currently on the waiting list to speak to a specialist Menopause Doctor. I want to understand more about my symptoms and if the medication I am on in my circumstances is the best option. Blood tests and further investigations are not available on the NHS. I am very invested in my Health, both professionally as a Personal Trainer and a woman going through the Menopause. It may not be necessary or appropriate to do further investigation but I want to understand what options are available.
I also know that if I am deficient in Testosterone this cannot at present be prescribed on the NHS and women actually produce 3 times more testosterone than estrogen and it drops sharply in perimenopause and menopause.
Testosterone is important for muscle mass, bone health, cardiovascular health and cognitive function such as concentration. It also affects energy levels and quality of your sleep. It also has an influence over your interest in sex. Low testosterone can also affect the impact the estrogen patch has.
I will definitely post about my experience.
Information Links
Balance App A free app with lots of information. Designed by the UKs leading Menopause Specialist Dr Louise Newson
Newson Clinic The website of Dr Louise Newson, lots of free information and downloads. You can also book private consultations, especially helpful if your GP seems reluctant to prescribe HRT (which is sadly very common).
Confidence In Menopause A free course aimed at Health Professionals but honestly if you think you are heading towards Menopause, I would highly recommend watching the series of lectures to educate yourself.
Risks Of Taking HRT HRT will not be appropriate for every woman which is why it's vital that you speak to your GP in the first instance. Please understand the risks and make an informed decision with your GP.
The experts
Social Media
Balance Menopause App - Instagram
Dr Louise Newson - Podcast Not only very informative but lots of episodes discussing case studies to show you the wide and varying symptoms women experience. Very insightful.
My last piece of advice is that Menopause is a Hormone Deficiency that will likely be there for the rest of our life. However, that does mean you need to suffer in silence and there is a lot you can do.
Knowledge is power and any decision you make should be to improve your long term health and happiness x
Comments
Post a Comment