I attempted Bioidentical Hormone Remedy (BHT). Right here’s my trustworthy tackle BHT: The Good, The Dangerous & 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, wanting again, it wasn’t something too excessive. Nonetheless, realizing the advantages of beginning BHT sooner than later in perimenopause, I made a decision to provide it a strive. I discovered an area practitioner and started utilizing oral progesterone and testosterone cream.
At first, the progesterone felt like magic. I slept higher, awoke feeling rested, and my physique and temper appeared to essentially like it. However then, simply 17 days in, my interval arrived—method sooner than common (sometimes I run a 26-29 day cycle). Evidently, I used to be panicked. Your cycle is a key indicator of total well being, and I didn’t need to mess with it. Earlier than that, my cycles have been common, with pain-free, simple durations. I need to preserve 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 in opposition to 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 only a few months). However then, issues went haywire.
My skyrocketing testosterone was fully throwing off my blood sugar regulation, making it almost unimaginable to manage 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. In the course of the day, my cravings have been relentless, regardless 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—typically inside only a few 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 shortly 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 secure, but nonetheless coping with starvation and fats achieve.
On high of the load achieve, I simply didn’t really feel like myself. I even advised my husband, Mal, “I really feel like I’m going via a troublesome 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 girls in perimenopause are solely 20-80. It was a transparent signal that my physique was out of steadiness, and I couldn’t ignore it any longer.
So, what’s subsequent?
As I’m scripting 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 pleased to report that my final cycle was 28 days and arrived with no signs (shock!). I’m again to specializing in the fundamentals, persistence, 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 concept of BHT, however wanting again, I notice I could have jumped the gun. This expertise made me see that I used to be already in a very good place with my well being. Certain, I had some minor perimenopause signs, however I used to be doing an amazing job total of sustaining steadiness by myself. It actually strengthened how highly effective the fundamentals will be and that I didn’t want BHT in any case.
What I ought to have executed 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, diet, and consistency. As an alternative of dashing into BHT, I ought to have targeted on making good, sustainable adjustments. I’ve realized that once I persist with the fundamentals, they work. And that is precisely the strategy we use in Match + Fueled. We deal with the 4 pillars of metabolism—mindset, muscle, minerals, and macros—as a result of whenever you get these proper, your physique has what it must thrive. These fundamentals have served me effectively, and so they’ve helped lots of of ladies do the identical. Early enrollment opens on 2/27, and you may be part of the waitlist to be the primary to know when doorways open!
I’m not in opposition to BHT (I really assume it’s superb for a lot of girls), however I do know it wasn’t the appropriate time for me. I’ll possible 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 all the time to study from others’ journeys!