“I have Lyme disease, which shut down my thyroid glands and p...”
I have Lyme disease, which shut down my thyroid glands and pushed me into early menopause. I was having extremely challenging symptoms - hot flashes, mood swings, vaginal dryness, and low energy. After finding a wonderful doctor that did a thorough blood test on me, she created a compounded HRT that matches my specific needs and my symptoms corrected. I have had very adverse effects from large amounts of estrogen (which I found out from different birth control methods in my 30's) and I did not want to take an estrogen pill in which I couldn't control the dosage. After five years of HRT, I felt like I had a constant UTI and upon looking at some additional tests, my doctor added an internal compounded hormone cream that has completely eradicated that problem and made intercourse possible and not painful.
There is very little information out there for women experiencing perimenopause or menopause. Male doctors treat it as just a rite of passage that women just have to silently suffer through, but the few female doctors and brave women that have stepped up and put a voice to the concerns have brought this massive life change and health issue out of the shadows. Oprah Magazine had a huge issue dedicated to menopause and hormone therapy a year or so ago, but I was absolutely disgusted that they had one tiny footnote regarding compounded HRT creams. "No research has been done to prove that they are effective." If we truly want to have a real conversation about this issue then we need to stop letting large pharmacy companies push their agenda of loading everyone up with pills that we know have adverse effects on woman. We, as women, are not one size fits all, and each of us has very different needs as we go through menopause.
I was truly lucky to find a health care provider that understands this complex issue and a compounding pharmacy that can make the medicine that I need. I am also truly blessed that I can pay for my prescription out of pocket as my insurance won't cover the expense.
Staying healthy is a very delicate balance for me as Lyme disease plays havoc with so many important systems - reproductive, digestive, circulatory; however, compounded HRT's make is possible for me to live my best life.
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