Perimenopause & Hormone Imbalance

A Little Knowledge is a Dangerous Thing

Be very careful when self-treating your hormones or thyroid. You may exacerbate symptoms if you use over-the-counter remedies, such as natural progesterone cream . Always work with your doctor before manipulating your hormones. You don't want to cause more problems. There is a lot of emphasis on "bio-identical" hormone replacement, which uses natural hormonal substances (like yam) to provide the additional treatment you may need. However, a small percentage of women, like me, have symptoms worsened by this "natural hormone," even at very low doses.

According to Dr. Helene B. Leonetti, author of Menopause: A Spiritual Renaissance and a highly respected expert on the use of progesterone cream, says, "You should get the highest quality progesterone cream and start very, very slowly. Perhaps just use a minute amount on your arm or breast to start, and build up slowly over time. Many of my patients have been helped tremendously by a combination of progesterone cream and other products." But again, it is vital to work with a health care practitioner experienced in this area. And realize that what may work for one women may not work for you.

This is a case where acceptance may be the best treatment of all. Accepting our imbalanced hormonal state, while our lives are shifting into third gear, will help us ride the waves. By learning about our symptoms, and taking the best care of our health possible, we can move through perimenopause to the calm after the storm.

A Personal Experience

"Over the last two years, I've had every thyroid and hormone test multiple times over. I've had blood tests, urine tests, saliva tests. Some tests showed slight elevations, some tests showed nothing at all. Finally, an endocrinologist did a huge battery of hormone tests, including a 24 hour urine test. She determined that my thyroid was fine, absolutely fine.
"More disturbing were the female hormone tests. A menopause specialist had me take the tests at very specific times of the month. She found that I had TOO MUCH estrogen. This, despite a previous doctor's findings (through two series of blood tests) that I was in perimenopause ... and then not.

"I've come to realize that this is just part of the game. Some women suffer more than others through this period. Some women may have clear-cut results. But most women have a similar experience to mine. Doctors often think it's 'all in your head,' because they only judge your condition by tests ... not by symptoms.

"Perimenopausal women suffer from a lack of validation. If you have a doctor who doesn't understand or believe you, it's time to find a new doctor. Perimenopause is not in your head. This transitional period causes changes in you that affect your body, mind, and emotions. You aren't going crazy. You just need to surround yourself with those who can relate and understand."

Don't Depend on What You Read

I cannot emphasize enoght that when dealing with hormones, which are so fragile and needed to be treated with caution, it is best not to make decisions based on reading alone. Find a qualified specialist in perimenopause or endocrinology to see if taking hormone or thyroid medication will help to balance your hormones. Be aware that the nature of perimenopause is imbalance.

Please do not be disappointed if your thyroid and other hormone levels test normal and there is no magic pill to make it all better. The good news is that perimenopause passes eventually ... and with it, many of these symptoms.

There is a great deal of information on this topic out on the Internet. However, there are also plenty of con artists who promise instant relief. I've researched and put the best sources I can find in the Other Resources page.

Other Resources