This past year has been a different year, physically, than any other year of my life. At the very beginning of 2008, I had no idea I was about to start a whole new era of my life, and I was not completely prepared.
I had no idea that I would be starting my road to menopause at 42. At first I was shocked. I felt I was too young, but when I realized I really was going through it and decided that I had enough of the hot flashes and sleepless nights, I went for help. My chiropractor had mentioned a compounding pharmacy she liked, so I got the number and scheduled a saliva test.
Once the test came back and I met with the pharmacist, I found out that I was not only estrogen dominant but really low on the progesterone, and my adrenals were worn out. He recommended that I start using a bioidentical progesterone cream formulated for my needs and that I take a calcium supplement and a multivitamin. He also recommended that I take a supplement for adrenal support. When I met with him about my test results, he spent an hour with me talking about the test results and my symptomology. I was confident that he knew how to help me, and he was definitely passionate.
I took the supplements and hormone cream as scheduled and was amazed to see the results after just six weeks. Natural cures don't work as immediate as drugs, but I was willing to see how it went. At about the six week mark, I got a little cold. After I was over the cold, I noticed I was sleeping better and wasn't having the 50+ hot flashes a day. My body aches were gone. I had so much energy! So the question arose in my mind, "Can you help your doctor?" "Can you educate him?"
I started reading up on bioidentical hormones. I started finding articles about it in natural health magazines. I decided to make it my mission to share this information with the women in my life. I was sure they were just as clueless as I was. I started openly speaking with them about my experience and how they need to start monitoring it now before it hits them like a ton of bricks. There are some friends already on top of it but so many had no idea.
I read books to recommend to friends to help them along in their journey. I also drag them to seminars that are conducted by my naturopath and pharmacist. I blog about it, I talk to my sisters who had hysterectomies but who have symptoms.
The person I felt I need to share this information with the most was my OB/GYN. At the beginning of last year, he was ready to put me back on the pill. That would have been disastrous. He did know about the bioidentical because he had to write the prescription for it. There was my opportunity to share with him. Over a year ago, I was heavily bleeding for six weeks, and he recommended progesterone to stop the bleeding, then gave the option to go on the pill or have an ablation. I asked him for natural progesterone and he only offered the "natural" pill form.
When I went in for a visit with my OB/GYN last week, I reminded him of what had gone on a year ago. That I had asked for something natural and that he was thinking of putting me back on the pill. I did so in a kind way. Then he asked when my last period was. I told him last May. It's official, I'm menopausal. He asked what I was currently doing for my symptoms. I told him that I loved the progesterone and that my pharmacist had me on a multivitamin, calcium, vitamin C and adrenal support supplements. I told him that I felt tons better and sleep and have energy and no hot flashes with this supplemental plan.
He seemed OK with it. What I wanted him to know was that I took charge of my own health and worked with what he determined. In a gentle and nice way I let him know that I felt my best option was doing a saliva test and determining what my hormone levels were in a more exact way. I let him know what worked for me in hopes that he might be more willing to recommend such a natural way to treat other women. Can you help your doctor? Yes. Don't be afraid to speak up. A good doctor will not be offended with new information, and that information could help someone else.
Doctors know a lot! They don't know everything. They only know what their teachers have taught them and they only know what they have experienced. Not only can you help your doctor, but you should. If they don't believe in what helps you, maybe they aren't the doctor for you. Maybe they aren't congruent with the type of health care you desire. Share with your doctor the things you have found that help you. You may help them answer some questions that they have.
His expertise helped me know that I'm still healthy and have nothing to worry about. He does a reliable exam to make sure. He knows a lot, but I know me and know the course of treatment I want. We work together now to keep me healthy.