I attempted Bioidentical Hormone Remedy (BHT). Right here’s my sincere tackle BHT: The Good, The Dangerous & The Ugly.
Right here’s the backstory:
Like a lot of you, I began noticing some early signs of perimenopause—nightsweats, complications, poor sleep, and temper shifts proper earlier than my interval. However truthfully, wanting again, it wasn’t something too excessive. Nonetheless, understanding the advantages of beginning BHT sooner than later in perimenopause, I made a decision to present it a strive. 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 actually find it irresistible. However then, simply 17 days in, my interval arrived—method sooner than ordinary (usually I run a 26-29 day cycle). Evidently, I used to be panicked. Your cycle is a key indicator of general well being, and I didn’t wish to mess with it. Earlier than that, my cycles had been common, with pain-free, simple durations. I wish to hold my pure cycle so long as I can to keep up the long-term well being advantages, like coronary heart well being, bone density, and safety towards metabolic illness.
Then, there was the testosterone. At first, issues had been nice—extra vitality, a stronger libido, higher focus, and even constructing muscle (I placed on 2 kilos in just some months). However then, issues went haywire.
My skyrocketing testosterone was fully throwing off my blood sugar regulation, making it almost not possible to regulate my cravings. Excessive testosterone can improve insulin resistance, which means my physique wasn’t effectively utilizing the carbs I used to be consuming—resulting in fixed (!!) starvation, vitality crashes, and an infinite 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. Throughout the day, my cravings had 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 feel 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—generally inside just some 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 dwelling proof of how shortly issues may spiral!
- With my physique struggling to manage blood sugar, I used to be caught in a cycle of consuming extra simply to really feel secure, but nonetheless coping with starvation and fats acquire.
On high of the burden acquire, I simply didn’t really feel like myself. I even advised my husband, Mal, “I really feel like I’m going via a troublesome time proper now, and one thing has to vary ASAP.” I knew one thing was off, so I ran some bloodwork… and the outcomes had been stunning. My testosterone was crazy-high at 441—when regular ranges for ladies in perimenopause are solely 20-80. It was a transparent signal that my physique was out of steadiness, 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 completely happy to report that my final cycle was 28 days and arrived with no signs (shock!). I’m again to specializing in the fundamentals, endurance, 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 really like the thought of BHT, however wanting again, I notice I’ll have jumped the gun. This expertise made me see that I used to be already in a extremely good place with my well being. Certain, I had some minor perimenopause signs, however I used to be doing an important job general of sustaining steadiness alone. It actually strengthened how highly effective the fundamentals might be and that I didn’t want BHT in any case.
What I ought to have achieved was take a step again and truthfully consider how I used to be dwelling— the place I may enhance my stress administration, vitamin, and consistency. As an alternative of dashing into BHT, I ought to have centered on making sensible, sustainable modifications. 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 effectively, they usually’ve helped tons of of ladies 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 towards BHT (I truly assume it’s wonderful for a lot of girls), however I do know it wasn’t the correct time for me. I’ll probably 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!
