Over the past few years, I have had the ‘pleasure’ of experiencing all kinds of physical symptoms due to hormonal fluctuations. I went through a roller-coaster of emotions, with sudden feelings of nervousness and irritation, swinging from being ‘over the moon’ to ‘do I want to be buried or cremated?’—a kind of bipolar episode. Aching joints, muscle pain, inflammation, and fatigue weren’t exactly ideal for my profession as a Pilates teacher and personal trainer.
To complete the profile of a menopausal damsel in distress, my hair started thinning, and my usually fair skin decided it was the perfect time to bring out the acne I had skipped during my teenage years. There were moments when I wished I were a man.
Even so, I managed to cope and was convinced that I should go through this transition ‘naturally,’ without the help of external hormones. If Mother Nature intended for women to experience this change, then so be it—I would get over it eventually.
That’s what I believed until I found myself getting out of bed three times a night to pee, with my sleep further disrupted by increasingly frequent and intense hot flashes. I can handle a lot, but night after night of poor sleep was my limit. How could I stay physically active and motivate others when I didn’t even have the energy to walk up the stairs? Sleep deprivation was affecting me both physically and mentally. The hell with nature—the human body has its design flaws!
It was time to explore options for improving my sleep and finding natural menopause relief through diet and supplements. Unfortunately, this wasn’t effective for me—I already led a healthy lifestyle, and the recommended menopause supplements made no difference.
The other option was HRT. Though I had read about it, I had never researched it thoroughly, as it not only went against my principles but was also surrounded by controversy and negative portrayals. I decided to put my biases aside, and explore medical research online to gain a better understanding of how HRT works, weighing the pros and cons. I found that there were still many contradictions regarding its benefits and risks, making the decision to try it a challenging one.
The best course of action seemed to be contacting a menopause clinic to learn more about HRT and determine whether it was right for me.
My Personal Experience with HRT
I am not a medical professional and, therefore, will not advise or suggest that women try HRT. I simply want to share my personal experience to offer insight.
Before HRT was prescribed to me, I underwent a thorough assessment by a doctor at a menopause clinic. This included cervical and breast cancer screenings. I have follow-ups every six months, during which my hormone levels are monitored through blood tests, and my HRT is adjusted if needed. The clinic keeps me informed about the latest menopause-related news, and I can always reach out with concerns or questions, which I find very reassuring.
I have been on HRT for nearly two years, and it has made a significant difference, particularly in my sleep quality. Within just five days of using a bioidentical estrogen topical gel and progesterone pills, my sleep improved—I only woke up once a night, and my hot flashes reduced. Within two weeks, the hot flashes disappeared entirely, and I was sleeping well again. Needless to say, a good night’s sleep has a positive effect on overall well-being. I had enough energy to be active and felt emotionally stronger to handle daily life.
I don’t believe that HRT will resolve all menopausal symptoms. It may reduce them, and some may disappear entirely—like my hot flashes and frequent urination. However, it didn’t improve my hair quality, and while my mood swings decreased, they still happen occasionally. The same goes for acne breakouts and muscle aches. Menopause is inevitable, but HRT has made it a bit easier to navigate.
As I mentioned, this is just my personal experience with HRT and menopause. I have met women who noticed improvements in their hair and skin through HRT, as well as fellow personal trainers who were able to lift weights again without pain or weakness. We are all wired differently, and our bodies are truly unique. Therefore, the effects of treatments like HRT will vary from one woman to another.