Hello, how are you, dear friends? Thank you SO MUCH for joining me. It’s been rather quiet on le blog these past few weeks, I do apologise for my absence. The end of the school holidays simply got the better of me and I lost my blogging mojo. Well, I lost my mojo period…Hahaha that’s a double entendre actually because by the end of the Summer I finally said goodbye to that godawful period HoobloodyRAH!
To re-cap briefly read my earlier Menopost about bleeding after menopause. Anyway, I’m delighted to announce since my last Menopost I’m back to being period free. Here’s what transpired…
SEE A DOCTOR IF YOUR HRT ISN’T WORKING
Why oh why did I wait six months to go to a gynaecologist? For such a sensible girl it was a pretty stupid mistake, wasn’t it? I could’ve saved myself and my poor Husband weeks of worry. Actually, by the time I decided to make the appointment I then had to wait three weeks to get in. That was a fun time…not. Poor Mark was convinced I had cancer. Terrified I’d leave him as the sole parent to the devil’s spawn he barely slept a wink. In hindsight, it would’ve been best to book the doctor earlier regardless of my condition. Instead, I was doing the old let’s wait and see shall we? I could’ve easily cancelled my appointment had the bleeding stopped. In any case, the wait became too much so I phoned the receptionist begging her to squeeze me in sooner. Which she ever-so-kindly did. Consequently, it was only two weeks before I saw a gynaecologist in the end.
At the consultation, my new BFF (aka Dr G) listened aghast as I described the debacle of my mirena. Horrified I’d gone down that road she explained how differently they do things in America. It’s true the U.S is scientifically streets ahead of the game although I’m not sure about the general consensus on HRT. Perhaps my U.S readers would like to give the rest of us their thoughts on it? I hear a lot of talk about taking vitamin supplements for menopause which I feel is mostly nonsense. In my opinion, taking supplements for menopause is akin to not immunizing your kids because of a debunked paper on autism. Airy fairy and potentially dangerous conclusions based on absolutely no facts or science. Usually, these theories are perpetuated by companies with a lot to gain fiscally. Although that said, I’m definitely pro-natural remedies for anything and did try a few vitamin options early on. I would be genuinely thrilled if they worked. However, I found absolutely zero effect. A rather disappointing and costly waste of time. Of course, there’s no doubt that mother nature is the ultimate pharmacist. After all, the micronised progesterone (Utrogestan) pill I take is derived from yams. It’s important to check the scientific research behind any claims made by the company supplying the treatment. There’s more info on bio-identical hormones in this past post I wrote about HRT.
Now back to lovely Dr G – Who was totally blown away when I told her my Mirena was provided free of charge by the NHS. In a completely confused manner, head tilted, knitted brow, she said: “Um what do you mean?”. Her inability to grasp the concept of “free” healthcare was actually quite funny. I laughed again later when I got her bill for $765 bahahaha Oh how I laughed hard…erm no I did not. In fact, I called her office to check the invoice was correct, fucking hell! Wouldn’t you?
Anyway, let’s move on shall we? Erm because if I start on the rigged health insurance system (widely accepted as the norm here in the great US of A) I’d probably buy a gun and shoot myself. Which I could easily do thanks to my local Walmart Wahhhhhh mental!
Oh, boy off-topic again sorry…Back to Dr G’s opinion, who by the way happens to have a Mirena herself and is also fifty. She believes if you already have a Mirena it’s a great treatment for symptoms of menopause. However, she said if you do not already have one, it’s probably too traumatic an option after fifty. In fact, she had never heard of using a Mirena to deliver HRT for menopause and was keen to read up on why the NHS is offering it. I told her I suspected it was down to Bayer, the pharmaceutical company that patented it. My theory is they’d like to sell more, have them more widely available across the board and probably give the NHS a nice discount for supplying it to every woman and her dog. By the way, Mirena’s are also widely used for HRT delivery in Europe and have a shelf life of two years longer than the UK. By shelf life, I mean how long they stay up your uterus ladies. FYI – In the U.K it’s five years whereas in Europe it’s seven. Here in America, it’s also five years but apparently, it’s only available as contraception.
Remember how hard it was for me to convince the doctor to remove my Mirena? I guess it’s a pretty aggressive thing to do to your body. Although It’s a tiny piece of kit that couldn’t cost much more than pennies to manufacture, I daresay it’s all a numbers game having very little to do with women’s health. Looking back, I made the mistake of thinking I could merely “try” the Mirena and if it didn’t work I’d just remove it. No no no WRONG, way too blasé.
Dr G and I discussed the very real possibility of my body storing too much progesterone, what with my idiotic change of meds. Probably because I went straight back to taking Utrogestan after removing the Mirena. Ironically my former GP insisted on this to protect me from cancer which can sometimes result from too much estrogen and not enough progesterone. You will recall that it’s crucial to offset the estrogen with progesterone when taking HRT to prevent the womb lining from thickening too much. Finally, Dr G and I agreed that a biopsy and blood test were essential to rule out infection and disease. Meanwhile, I’d stop taking the Utrogestan for two weeks but still use Evorel patches to keep getting my lovely estrogen.
Literally, three days later the bleeding stopped. Yep, I hear ya, cray cray. That’s hormones for you. So to anyone who doubts the enormous impact of hormones on a woman’s body, frame of mind and general well-being. Just SHUT UP.
Coincidentally Dr G called me with the test results the same day my bleeding stopped. All my results returned completely normal and yes that was fast service. By the end of the fortnight, I was well and truly back to a happy state of play. I re-started taking Utrogestan the following week which has been ticking along nicely. I have a feeling I’ve cracked this sucker. Basically, I was overdosing on progesterone and now that has levelled off I can revert to my regular dose.
Turns out too much HRT IS a bad thing. Just remember, we are all different and what works for some may not work for others. I’m sharing everything about my menopause (post and peri) journey in the hope of making it slightly easier for other women.
I did learn something else that I wanted to pass on to you guys. If anyone using patches or considering using patches this is just a little tip to remember. Don’t apply the patch straight after your shower. I did that once and ended up with a very sore, angry rash underneath the patch. That area of skin really hurt actually it was quite hot, raised and inflamed after I removed my patch. Evidently, I’d inadvertently trapped moisture underneath the patch when I applied it. Therefore bacteria had begun forming over three days when I noticed the pain and redness. It was incredibly uncomfortable and took a good week to calm down.
WORKOUT GEAR FOR A FLAT BOTTOM GIRL
hallelujah praise Sweaty Betty you wonderful gorgeous brand! Now I’m clearly not being the least bit coy when I tell you my arse hasn’t looked this pert since I was 45. Seriously it was about that time when the muscle tone began disintegrating and my butt started sliding south towards my knee pits. I remember clearly the day my five-year-old Jassy smacked me on the bottom saying with sheer joy and laughter in his voice “Mummy’s bum fallen down”. Cheeky little boy that one. True though, I couldn’t deny it.
Since then my posterior has all butt disappeared heehee….What is that about by the way?
Yet here I am about to turn 51 all tight and peachy thanks to Sweaty Betty’s new Zero Gravity Leggings. These bum sculpting leggings are ultra-lightweight so I almost feel naked yet the compression technology is literally defying gravity! How? Geez, I dunno but they feel great on and look pretty amazing so who the hell cares right? I ask (nobody in particular) in all seriousness, can I wear these leggings underneath all my outfits? I don’t see a problem with that in winter, do you?
I have to say the matching bra is equally comfortable and supportive plus I love the sexy shape at the back. I wear the bra quite a lot even if I’m not exercising, it’s that comfy. There’s also a matching sweater in the range but it was so hot the day I shot this I just couldn’t bear to put it on. I know I’ll wear the sweatshirt a lot when the weather finally cools down so I’ll probably photograph it at some point. Meanwhile, you can have a proper look here.
DESPITE WHAT YOU SEE ON INSTAGRAM NOBODY’S PERFECT
Just so you know there is loose skin around my middle from having three babies. Sometimes it’s noticeable, other times not so much. I actually couldn’t care less, I only mention it so you know that a great figure starts with posture. That, and I’m fed up with women aspiring to an image of perfection that doesn’t exist. I know I’m not thirty-five any more nor do I ever look at a thirty-five-year-old and yearn to be her. That’s just dumb.
Bye for now my darlings xxx
*A peachy thank you to Sweaty Betty for partnering on this post.
Comments ( 22 )
abby@Midlifecrisisnut
I’m so happy to hear from you Michelle! I’ve been so worried about you, with the bleeding and all. And what do you say? Progesterone overdose? Remember my last comment? It’s the scariest sh*t beside Hashimoto’s, let me tell you. As I said I’ve been taking huge (dr prescribed) amounts of progesterone to counteract estrogen for two years, stopped it completely TWO YEARS AGO and still bleed like hell (and when I say like hell, then I mean amounts of blood similar to miscarriage that I had never bleed before) two years after when I don’t take estrogen, or when I get stressed, or emotional etc. Be extremely careful with progesterone Michelle! It builds up in our bodies (unlike the placenta that a pregnant woman expels during delivery and she’s done with it) and honestly nobody knows how long it takes for it to clear. I’ve been reading that it can take up to two years, but hey look at me, it’s been two years and I still bleed like hell. Add to it the 300 symptoms of low thyroid due to Hashimoto’s and I’m wandering by what miracle I’m still able to survive. And then you might wonder why I’ve stopped blogging etc? Honestly, I have no energy left to do the. tiniest things, am housebound 99.9% of the time and wonder how on earth I can go on like this. It’s comforting to know though that at least you are doing better and that you’re on the right track. Looking HOT as usual! ❤️ xx Abby
MT
Oh darling I hate to hear you’re not doing well. Why is this happening to you! It’s so unfair and must be extremely difficult, stressful and upsetting with two kids that need their Mummy?
Yes you were right and I did clock that Abby. I agree there is just not enough research going on about this to even find the information in the first place. As we say if it was a man problem, they’d be all over it. I think the fear of not balancing our oestrogen is pushing doctors to over-prescribe progesterone. Yet that in itself is a major issue although I suppose lesser of two evils? Again, we need more research. Menopause isn’t going away any time soon so although I post menopausal I still require HRT. I hope we get more comments on this, it could really help someone else. Thank you for sharing with us Abby and I hope you feel better soon my love xxx
Linda Coffman
I found you through a messy bun video. Love your videos and sense of humor. I was forced 14 years ago through menopause after barely surviving advanced metastatic breast cancer stage 3C at 42. Estrogen was my cancer’s crack. After chemo my hair came back so fine. I could put a curling to it, hold for 30 seconds, and no curl. Now 14 years later, it is long, thin, and fine. I tried messy buns on my own. Got them right, but they were so small. Found your video after watching others. All those messy buns for thin hair, yet the models did NOT have thin hair. Yours I loved, subscribed and found your blog. Your upbeat attitude made my day! As a cancer survivor, I have many long term side effects from treatment and I cannot take HRTs even natural ones. No crack for any lingering cancer cells no way. I still work full time as a 7th grade math teacher. I love my work, but know soon I will not be able to keep the pace. I am hoping I can hang on for 3.5 more years. I can fully retire at 60. I keep my hair long except I have fringe or bangs. I hate to cut it after watching it fall out and then my poor 13 year old son shaved the rest after my first chemo treatment. I lived my hair, and he lived his. Afterwards with tears in his eyes he made the most heartwarming gesture. Ge shaved his head. The hair he lived and bragged about for 5 years. Two weeks before he started 8th grade, at the same school I taught and still teach. So I wanted to try messy buns, but too old for a pony. I did wear it twice before seeing your fantastic video. This Friday i made one, wrapped a fluffy pony holder around the outside that matched my school shirt color. The bun was still too small, but got tons of compliments about the fluffy colored fabric pony I put around the bun. I only used it because my darn cat had batted my bobbies all over my room. I just used those fabric big pony holders that were popular a few years ago. Just thought you might be able to incorporate that into one of your great videos. Sorry for oversharing about me, Your sense of humor in the video reminded me of mine. I look forward to trying the braided bun, but not sure about extensions. I hated wigs when I was bald. Instead I made messy buns out of my scarves and used decorative pony tail holders to keep scarf bun in place. I knew people would stare, but I tried darn hard to make sure my head looked good! But worried hair extensions would still be uncomfortable and feeling of hair not mine, well might being out some bad feelings. So trying your braided bun with just my thin hair. Thanks so much, I had fun watching your video and then trying to do my hair. My youngest son in college still lives at home and had fun along with me. So I had a great evening with my son, a definite memory to keep, and your videos inspired that! Looking forward to your blog as well!
MT
Hi Linda, WELCOME! Thank you soooo much for sharing your story with us. When I got to the part about your son shaving his head you made me bloody cry woman! Gosh you’re amazing, truly such an inspiration. I totally understand how a silly thing like hair can have such an enormous impact on our self esteem. Losing hand fulls of hair in perimenopause was what made me search for answers which is crazy consider there were far worse side effects than that. Now when you say pony tail holders do you mean scrunchies? The scrunchie has made a bit of come back so there are some fabulous designs around at the moment. Also wearing a headscarf is a very fashionable look right now and easily disguises thin roots. Perhaps you’ve tried that? If not have a look at my short demo
Thank you for the huge vote of confidence Linda, it means more than you know xxx
No Fear of Fashion
Oh my goodness what a story. I had’t read your previous article about bleeding as I thought it was general advice. For me (post menopause) that was of no interest. But it was yourself you were talking about!!
Poor you, poor Mark, What a stress. I am glad you are well again. And eh.. bum or no bum, loose skin or no loose skin, you are still stunning! A model as far as I am concerned.
Hang in there girl.
Greetje
MT
Thank you gorgeous girl, you’re always so generous and I adore you for it xxx
No Fear of Fashion
You know I have been your fan since the first post I saw of you. 😉
Rozanne swift
So glad you have the all-clear and the bleeding has stopped, that is fantastic news! Another great post in which your funny and feisty personality shines through. X
MT
Hi Rozanne, thank you for saying that I appreciate the feedback. When I did the final spell check and edit, it came up as poor readability so I really wasn’t sure how the post would read. Sometimes I come off overly wordy then I go through a slash it to pieces ending up with an illegible bunch of unrelated words hahahaha
fatima
Thanks for this Michelle. I am fascinated reading this and I’ve just clicked on your Peri post too. I am convinced that I am per-peri (not Nandos haha!) Mood swings, sweats and although I am very regular, the heaviness really varies each month. I’ve had all the blood tests and everything has returned normal. When did you first start noticing the signs? xxx
Lisa the Sequinist
Such amazing information, Michelle. Thank you for sharing the good, the bad, and the ugly sides of HRT and menopause. I’m going to have to investigate some options for myself soon, because my bleeding is insane right now. I have two days a month where I literally cannot leave the house… such a bore.
You look fabulous in your Sweaty Betty kit! I do love their things for gym..
Big hugs to you ,you hot menopausal mama! I’m so glad you’ve got to he bottom of this and are back to normal again.
Lizzy
Oh Michelle, it’s so good to know you are back to normal after your extensive bleeding. It is beyond exhausting and so incredibly anti-social isn’t it!! You, my friend look amazing. You have a beautiful body and one that is now behaving again! This gym kit is fabulous. I will investigate because as you know, I’m a regular gym-goer and am always on the lookout for flattering gear. Lots of love beautiful xxx
Rhiannon Duffin
This is such an incredibly informative post and I truly admire your honesty Chelle. I’m so glad to hear you’re well again darling xoxo
MT
Thanks honey bee xx
Michele
Thank you for sharing this. I re-read your peri post too. I noticed it was 2 years ago. Is that ‘average’ peri? Mine was about that long. Different symptoms. Exhaustion. Palpitations (frightening until I read up this is not unusual) feeling constantly low. No sweats or flushes. No change to periods they just stopped. But after feeling okay for 4-5 months after last period suddenly all the symptoms returned. Low dose HRT without a bleed was amazing. It turned on the light. Yippee. Then 2 years on began to feel not quite right so I tried a pill with more progesterone. Bad idea. Began to bleed all the time like a leaky tap but stopped it after a couple of months. What’s the point? Went back to previous pills. Normality restored. So decided to put up with needing loads of sleep but retained spring in step and no weeping and palpitations. Interesting to read experience of others, however different.. How else does one find out? Must have been dire for previous generations who didn’t talk about it.
Next decision when to stop HRT. Can’t take it forever………
MT
Hi Michele, How fascinating that your bleeding returned when you upped your progesterone dose. I’m absolutely amazed we’re not warned about this as it’s become clear to me how common it is! Needing loads of sleep is a pain for me but I do it anyway otherwise I struggle through the day. I guess it’s a small price to pay for feeling good throughout the day. Consequently my “fun times” are best executed in the form of ladies who lunch 😉 I can’t remember the last time I partied into the wee hours hahaha.
As far as stopping the HRT…I can’t say I’ve considered that yet so it’s a way off. I know I can’t take it forever but I have no cut off age in mind. When are you thinking of stopping?
Stars and Stems
Hi Michelle. Having a little catch-up on your posts here. You look fab in tgese photos and have a really positive outlook. Sod having to look younger when you’re not; I’d rather look and feel the best I can for now. And love the story about Jassy! 😄
Glad your distressing situation righted itself. Horrible not knowing what your body’s up to.
My HRT problems seem to have vanished for now. I was proscribed a pill form – Kliofem – after ballooning when I was on a patch. I’ve lost 10kg since switching, but some of that may be because I had to change my diet when I was having radiotgerapy on my vocal chords. I couldn’t manage anything other than soup and smoothies. But I do think the Kliofem has sped my metabolism up. Xx
MT
Hi Emerald, I’m so sorry for my tardy reply and I’m sorry to hear you’ve been unwell. It sounds like your treatment is over, how did it go?
Regarding your menopause, I’m happy that Kliofem is working for you. I think finding the right form of HRT is really the key to getting the most out of it. Some Women give up too quickly when they try one or two that don’t help. In my situation the symptoms of menopause far outway the inconvenience of trialling HRT. When I think back to those days of being afraid to drive…Well let’s just say I’m in no hurry for those days to return. Although there will come a time when I can stop taking it, I’m not there yet.
xxx
Gladys Wisener
Hi, i just started HRT 3 weeks ago, i started with the Climara Pro patch, but it does not last the whole 7 days. I switched to the Combi Patch.
I am 42 went into menopause a year ago, i had no menopause symptoms until this past October. I went into the Emergency room with a panic attack on Oct 31. I have been suffering debilitating anxiety, panic attacks and depression these last two months. I have some muscle stiffness and stiff joints, and an occasional hot flash, but that is nothing compared to the anxiety and Depression. The black intrusive thoughts are absolutely awful, panicking over everything and just being fearful all the time.
HRT is a life saver and is keeping me SANE, within 3-4 hours of putting on the patches my anxiety and depression goes away and i actually feel alive. I am so glad my doctor listened to me and prescribed the HRT.
I am still learning how to manage my emotions in between patches. I notice when the patch wears out, my anxiety and sleeplessness returns with a vengeance.
I was prescribed an anti-depressent too, but i really don’t need it, the HORMONES make me feel normal and like myself
HRT is my ANTI-DEPRESSENT AND MY ANTI-ANXIETY!
I Totally understand why you say HRT is a life saver.
Hormones are so neccesary for us to be able to function normally.
MT
This is such an insightful and frank comment, it’ll help other Women tremendously. I truly appreciate you took the time to write and join us here, thank you so much for sharing your story Gladys. I think we can never over-stress how quickly HRT can turn everything around. Thank goodness you’re doing well now xx
This Main Line Life
Really helpful info, thanks. Saw your post on #ShareAllLinkUp. You have a great blog.
X, Julie
MT
Hi Julie, Welcome!
Thank you for the huge compliment xx