I attempted Bioidentical Hormone Remedy (BHT). Right here’s my sincere tackle BHT: The Good, The Unhealthy & 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 actually, trying again, it wasn’t something too excessive. Nonetheless, understanding the advantages of beginning BHT sooner than later in perimenopause, I made a decision to provide it a attempt. I discovered a neighborhood practitioner and commenced 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—approach sooner than normal (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 intervals. I need to maintain 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 vitality, 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 practically not possible to manage my cravings. Excessive testosterone can improve insulin resistance, that means my physique wasn’t effectively utilizing the carbs I used to be consuming—resulting in fixed (!!) starvation, vitality crashes, and an limitless cycle of consuming simply to really feel regular. I’d even get up ravenous in the course of the evening, needing to eat simply to fall again asleep. Through 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 occurring:
- Testosterone can drive up your metabolism and starvation, making you eat extra, whereas progesterone promotes fats storage—an ideal storm for weight acquire.
- 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 rapidly issues might spiral!
- With my physique struggling to control blood sugar, I used to be caught in a cycle of consuming extra simply to really feel steady, but nonetheless coping with starvation and fats acquire.
On prime of the burden acquire, I simply didn’t really feel like myself. I even instructed my husband, Mal, “I really feel like I’m going by means of a tricky time proper now, and one thing has to alter 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 stability, and I couldn’t ignore it any longer.
So, what’s subsequent?
As I’m penning 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 joyful 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 like the concept of BHT, however trying again, I notice I could have jumped the gun. This expertise made me see that I used to be already in a extremely good place with my well being. Positive, I had some minor perimenopause signs, however I used to be doing an ideal job total of sustaining stability alone. It actually bolstered how highly effective the fundamentals could be and that I didn’t want BHT in spite of everything.
What I ought to have completed was take a step again and actually consider how I used to be residing—taking a look at the place I might enhance my stress administration, diet, and consistency. As a substitute of speeding into BHT, I ought to have targeted on making good, sustainable adjustments. I’ve discovered that once I persist with the fundamentals, they work. And that is precisely the method we use in Match + Fueled. We deal with the 4 pillars of metabolism—mindset, muscle, minerals, and macros—as a result of once you get these proper, your physique has what it must thrive. These fundamentals have served me properly, they usually’ve helped a whole bunch of girls 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 suppose it’s superb for a lot of girls), however I do know it wasn’t the precise 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!
