By Cheryl Mattox Berry
You’ve seen them fanning incessantly while proclaiming to everyone in earshot that they’re having a private summer. You’ve witnessed their irritability and keep your distance. The two of you play a game of seesaw with the thermostat.
Women going through menopause are easy to spot. If you ask them, they’ll rattle off a list of complaints, including night sweats, insomnia, weight gain and, of course, those hot flashes.
Then, they’ll shrug as if it’s one of those female things, and there’s nothing you can do about it. Au contraire.There’s medication for menopause – prescription and over the counter.
Unfortunately, many women have heard old wives’ tales about women who took hormones, and they won’t even consider it. Some even brag about going through menopause drug-free as if it’s a badge of honor.
I hate to see women suffer when there’s help readily available. It doesn’t help that research on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has been confusing over the years. At one time, HRT was touted as the fountain of youth. Then came news that it could lead to breast cancer, heart attack and stroke.
According to recent studies, the age that you begin HRT determines whether it is potentially heart-protective or contributes to your chance of heart attack and stroke.
Taking hormones was a no-brainer for me. I couldn’t sleep, and everyone and everything got on my nerves. The tipping point was when I looked into the linen closet one day and went off because someone had folded the towels the wrong way. I knew that I needed help. Fast.
After several herbal products failed, I sought help from my gynecologist. He said at the outset that I should be on HRT for the shortest period of time. After two years, my symptoms had subsided, and I stopped taking medication.
I can’t imagine what I would’ve done had I not gone on HRT. I was thisclose to burning down the house, which would have left me homeless, husbandless and hormonal.
To determine whether HRT is right for you, talk to your doctor. Make an informed decision, not one based on what your grandmother, auntie, godmother or girlfriend say they heard.
I had tried every OTC, herbal and home remedy that I heard of.
My female gynecologist had previously suggested HRT, but I was being stubborn, wanting to go natural. Since I didn’t have any family history or other medical issues there was no reason not to use HRT. I also had taken birth control pills for many years. Hormones – Yeah! Well, a long story short – after taking two showers within 15 minutes, I started to cry uncontrollably. First thing the next business day I was at the doctor’s office. I love my Climara Pro Patch.