September is Menopause Awareness Month. And while this may generate an eye roll and the thought, “As if I’m not ALREADY aware,” it’s an important topic to raise.
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There are at least 34 symptoms of perimenopause and menopause.
And many of them can be confused with other hormone imbalances like hypothyroidism or adrenal imbalance. There is an overwhelming amount of conflicting information about how to manage all of this. In fact, this past week, a woman let me have a cyber-earful for what she perceived as my promotion of a therapeutic option (progesterone) that she believes causes cancer. This woman is an OB-GYN nurse and a breast cancer survivor and yet she is clearly confused about the data and the facts. You can read more about current hormone recommendations here.
A member of the Hormone Harmony Club was actually scolded by her physician for using progesterone and testosterone because “they cause blood clots and cancer.” Again, this is untrue. And extremely unhelpful for this woman who now has no idea where to turn! You can read more about progesterone and cancer risk here.
We have healthcare providers who are sharing information with patients that is just wrong. We all need to become savvier consumers and learn what benefits (or harms) us, and how we can achieve optimal health before, during, and after menopause.
Remember, YOU know your body better than anyone else and you are your own best advocate when it comes to making healthcare choices. Knowledge is power, so learn all you can about your body, how it works, and what your options are when it comes to managing perimenopause and menopause. Click here to learn more about how to work more effectively with your healthcare provider.
If you are past menopause or in the middle of it with all the awareness you can possibly stand, I need you to do me a favor. Be like my friend, Marella. She looked around her neighborhood for younger women. And bought 4 copies of my book to share with them. If we, as women who have already been there, take the time to share our stories and have conversations about what’s coming, we can potentially save a lot of younger women a ton of anxiety and worry.
If you need help, please feel free to reach out to me. I am happy to answer your questions! I also offer customized hormone testing and balancing using a functional approach that’s based on lifestyle, supplements, and mindset work instead of pharmaceuticals.
If you’re looking for reliable resources, here’s a list that I trust:
Books
- Perimenopause: The Savvy Sister’s Guide to Hormone Harmony. www.perimenopausebook.com
Websites
- Dr. Anna Garrett: my blog, resources, and products for women who want help and support through their menopause journey. It’s all about maximizing your mojo!
- The North American Menopause Society: (NAMS): While I don’t always agree with NAMS’ official positions on menopause and menopause treatment, it is an excellent site for general information on menopause. If you’re into research (like me), there are always links to academic publications and recent research on the site.
- Menopause Chicks: My friend Shirley Weir is cracking open the conversation on menopause here!
- WebMD Menopause Center: One of my all-around go-to sites for everything health. Their menopause center provides good, solid, unvarnished medical information on menopause.
Facebook Groups
- Hormone Harmony Club. This is a private group where we’re talking perimenopause, menopause, and general women’s health 24/7.
- Menopause Chicks PRIVATE group
- Estrogen Dominance Support Group (this is a private group)
There are MANY groups for perimenopause and menopause. The ones I have listed tend to be more educational and less bitch-fest. But remember, one person’s experience and remedy that works may be different than what you need. It’s up to you to do your due diligence about the advice you are given.
And always remember…you are not too young, you are not alone, and you’ve totally got this!
Dr. Anna Garrett is a menopause expert and Doctor of Pharmacy. She helps women who are struggling with symptoms of perimenopause and menopause find natural hormone balancing solutions so they can rock their mojo through midlife and beyond. Dr. Anna is the author of Perimenopause: The Savvy Sister’s Guide to Hormone Harmony. Order your copy at www.perimenopausebook.com.
Dr. Anna is available for 1-1 consultations. Find out more at www.drannagarrett.com/lets-
