My First Month with Micronized Progesterone

In my most up-to-date “what I’m doing for my well being” weblog put up, I discussed that I used to be assembly with my OB-GYN to debate HRT (hormone substitute remedy). We had truly met and chatted about it a pair occasions earlier than however I by no means felt fairly able to attempt something.

I used to be hesitant for 2 causes. First, I wasn’t having any extreme signs. Sleep was high-quality sufficient more often than not. I had a number of extra temper swings than I remembered having prior to now, however who doesn’t, proper? My luteal part was a more and more more difficult with fatigue and fewer endurance, however oh effectively. That occurs, proper?

Second, I actually hate the thought of being reliant on something. I get the irony that I take cod liver oil and vitamin D commonly and rely upon that for immune help, however one thing a couple of prescription felt totally different to me. That is simply my very own psychological block.

After one other good dialog with my practitioner and loads of assurance I might cease at anytime if I modified my thoughts, I used to be prescribed 100mg of micronized progesterone (bioidentical) within the type of a capsule to take as soon as a day at bedtime.

I used to be cautiously optimistic it could be helpful, having heard that 1/3 of ladies really feel it’s their saving grace, 1/3 can’t tolerate it as a result of it makes them really feel horrible, and 1/3 don’t discover any form of distinction. Properly, thank my fortunate stars as a result of it seems I’m within the former group. Insert tacky flexing pic right here as a result of each put up wants some form of picture.

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I wasn’t even positive what I used to be anticipating. Maybe a bit of leveling out of my emotional ups and downs? What I’ve skilled is a lot extra.

I began taking it whereas on day 3 of my cycle as a result of that’s the day I crammed the prescription and was instructed to start out that evening and take each night (no biking it). Instantly I began sleeping tremendous effectively. I slept arduous and woke refreshed. Little issues that have been minor annoyances earlier than (the canine loud night breathing, David respiration) not appeared to interrupt my potential to sleep.

I additionally started noticing I felt extra even-keeled. I used to be much less bothered by issues. I’m making an attempt to consider one of the simplest ways to elucidate it; virtually like one thing irritating would occur and my response can be “oh. okay, effectively, no huge deal.” Cool as a cucumber.

A buddy of mine who had her personal expertise with progesterone stated it made her virtually too mellow to the place her husband was involved as a result of she didn’t appear to care about a lot of something. Whereas that’s not my expertise, I might see what she meant. I simply really feel typically unbothered, however nonetheless am in a position to expertise emotional ups and downs, it’s simply not the extra dramatic swings I used to be experiencing earlier than. I really feel extra able to dealing with stressors.

The weirdest realization to me is that whereas I might not have stated I felt anxious earlier than, I’m now questioning if I used to be having some anxiousness that I didn’t actually understand? This will likely sound like bizarre instance of this, however no matter, I’m sharing anyhow:

I don’t love watching myself on digital camera. I like folks and connection, however posting myself on Instagram tales had slowly develop into harder. I might analyze the best way I stated one thing and typically simply go delete it straight away as a result of I felt uncomfortable (or anxious?). This had not been the case for years, however over the previous 12-18 months I observed it creep up. I simply felt cringy posting and it made me really feel uncomfortable (once more… anxious?)

Since I began taking progesterone, I’m feeling high-quality to simply present up and share. I don’t care to rewatch it and take into consideration what folks could also be considering in the event that they watch it. I simply be happy to be me. And I don’t actually care what folks could also be considering. It’s so releasing. I really feel like ME once more. So possibly I used to be experiencing some anxiousness and it manifested itself in withdrawing? I really don’t know.

It’s made me surprise if I used to be experiencing extra low stage anxiousness than I spotted over the previous 12 months or in order I’ve observed my hormones fluctuating. As a result of in some way that tiny 100mg progesterone has made me really feel extra like myself than I’ve in fairly some time.

I don’t love that I’m making this factor out to be a superhero, however I’ve simply been pleasantly stunned on the outcomes. I felt them instantly, however wished to verify I obtained by way of a complete month (not simply follicular part) earlier than reporting again. And now I’ve!

How does these items work? My understanding is that at 43 years previous my private estrogen continues to be sturdy. My pure progesterone ranges could also be a bit erratic because the physique solely produces progesterone after ovulation, and at this traditional “early perimenopause” stage ovulation can develop into irregular. So the oral progesterone helps hold my stage extra regular.

Stunning to none, I’m not a health care provider, so specialists be happy to weigh in right here and likewise if it’s one thing you’re interested by, discover a good physician in your space to speak to. Hormone help in our 40’s and 50’s undoubtedly appears to be an space of quickly rising curiosity and experience.

I suppose I simply wish to share this as overtly and truthfully as doable as a result of I’ve been so inspired by my 40+ pals sharing their hormone altering experiences (the nice, the unhealthy, the supplementing with HRT, and the going with out HRT). I additionally take into consideration some conditions the place folks I do know have gone by way of a “midlife disaster” or made drastic, life-altering choices proper round their mid-40’s and surprise if hormonal fluctuation was an element and understanding/help might have made a distinction?

Like my OB-GYN instructed me, each lady is totally different, which is what makes HRT difficult. It’s not a one measurement matches all and private wants can change extra time.

That is simply my story of my first month and I hope it’s useful. <3