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 truthfully, trying again, it wasn’t something too excessive. Nonetheless, realizing the advantages of beginning BHT sooner than later in perimenopause, I made a decision to offer 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, awakened feeling rested, and my physique and temper appeared to actually adore it. However then, simply 17 days in, my interval arrived—approach sooner than ordinary (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, straightforward durations. I need to preserve 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 have been nice—extra power, 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 inconceivable to regulate my cravings. Excessive testosterone can enhance insulin resistance, which means my physique wasn’t effectively utilizing the carbs I used to be consuming—resulting in fixed (!!) starvation, power crashes, and an limitless cycle of consuming simply to really feel regular. I’d even get up ravenous in the course of the night time, 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 feel was taking place:
- 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 dwelling proof of how shortly issues may 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 informed my husband, Mal, “I really feel like I’m going by way of a tricky time proper now, and one thing has to vary ASAP.” I knew one thing was off, so I ran some bloodwork… and the outcomes have been surprising. 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 scripting 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 understand 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 by myself. It actually bolstered how highly effective the fundamentals will 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—taking a look at the place I may enhance my stress administration, diet, and consistency. As a substitute of dashing into BHT, I ought to have targeted on making good, sustainable modifications. I’ve realized that after I stick with the fundamentals, they work. And that is precisely the method we use in Match + Fueled. We concentrate on the 4 pillars of metabolism—mindset, muscle, minerals, and macros—as a result of whenever you get these proper, your physique has what it must thrive. These fundamentals have served me effectively, they usually’ve helped tons of 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 towards BHT (I truly suppose it’s superb for a lot of ladies), however I do know it wasn’t the proper 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 be taught from others’ journeys!
