Why I wish I had started HRT Earlier

2 years ago this month without a period and I only started hormone replacement therapy 5 months ago

HRT plus Weight Training plus A Nutrient Dense Diet helps support my journey through menopause

I wish I had started HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy) sooner. What I’ve learned is that menopause isn’t just about mood swings, hot flushes, sleepless nights, and the end of periods. When estrogen starts to decline, the impact goes beyond those obvious symptoms. For instance, your risk for high cholesterol, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis and even diabetes increases. Replacing estrogen through HRT can help reduce these risks and keep you healthier for longer. And those aches and pains many of us chalk up to aging? They’re often linked to estrogen depletion, not just getting older. Have you heard of The Musculoskeletal Syndrome of Menopause? It's a thing - a very real thing and if you would like to read more about it click the link under this paragraph. So, for anyone navigating peri menopause, menopause, or post menopause, I strongly encourage you to consider looking into HRT.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39077777/

At first, I chose to go through menopause naturally. At the time I believed, like so many women, that menopause was just stopping your period and that once a year had passed by, you were considered done with menopause, right?... and then you'd just get on with your life after that... But in actual fact, just like we age, menopause is something that continues on until we die and as we age our bodies continue to break down. That means that menopause, like aging, doesn't just stop. It continues and we continue to lose hormones, collagen, muscle, bone density etc. So, as I began thinking about the lifestyle I wanted, particularly considering the cardiovascular disease in my family, I realised I wanted to stay strong, fit, and healthy and preserve as much muscle as I could and decrease the chances of cardiovascular disease, etc. Weight training, maintaining bone health, and staying active HAS ALWAYS BEEN MY PRIORITY and I had noticed that even though I was still training, my muscle mass had slightly decreased. That’s when I started looking into bioidentical hormones. Like many women, I was initially concerned about the risks associated with synthetic hormones, such as breast cancer. However, after learning more about the differences and benefits of bioidentical and body-identical hormones, I realized they were the right choice for me. I truly wish I had started sooner.

On reflecting back now, one particular thing that stands out for me is throughout my life, I always had perfect cholesterol. Doctors were consistently pleased with my cholesterol levels—I had the perfect amount of both. They’d even ask if I was on cholesterol medication because it was that good. But in my 40s, a routine blood test showed my cholesterol levels were slightly higher than usual. The doctor mentioned it wasn’t a major concern, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off. I went home wondering what I could do to bring it back down. Looking back, I realise it wasn’t anything I was doing wrong; it was the onset of peri menopause. Knowing what I know now, it all makes sense. But back then, I felt like I had let myself down. That’s why finding a doctor who specialises in menopause and has a genuine interest in it is crucial. Their understanding can make all the difference in navigating these changes.

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned, both through my journey and by working with a diverse group of women, is that we are all unique. While we may be experiencing similar stages of life—peri menopause, menopause, or post menopause—our experiences, bodies, and needs are different. It’s essential to find a healthcare provider who listens to you, understands your individual journey, and supports you in a way that’s tailored just for you.

At the end of the day, this is a personal choice. Whether you decide to go natural or opt for HRT is entirely up to you. This is not about pushing anyone toward one decision over another; it’s simply about sharing my personal experience. I initially wanted to go through menopause naturally. However, after doing my own research and finding a doctor who truly understood my concerns, I realised that replacing the hormones I was losing was important for my long-term health. What works for me may not be the right path for everyone, and I respect that. My hope is that, regardless of the path you choose, you find the support and information you need to make the best decision for your body.

What I take:

Progesterone in troche form

DHEA in troche form

Estrogel in gel form