Hormones

If you’re not familiar with what started a few years ago, please read Sick & Tired to gather some background information.

Through that debacle, we learned that I had no progesterone and very low estrogen (which meant I was still estrogen dominant). I was put on the Depo shot because that was deemed the best course of action. My uterine biopsy showed no cancer, so I went forward with my life assuming the shot would solve all my issues and that I wouldn’t need to worry about anything anymore. For almost two years, everything seemed to be ok! 

Late last fall, as I was prepping for NAS Nationals, I got my period and it didn’t stop... I bled for almost 3 weeks! I called the OBGYN and was fortunate enough to schedule a phone consultation where we talked about options. She and I both wondered if the shot was to blame because my hormone levels were obviously fluctuating [assumed without blood tests] around the time when I’d need my "next shot" and decided that a hormone IUD would be a good option. The IUD has a lower dose of progesterone, but is directly in the uterus and releases consistently. So, right after Nationals, I had one put in. 

A few weeks later, I started my new Strength program and I felt weak. I had no clue why. I started to break out with painful, cycstic acne and, again, I had no idea why. It seemed my depression was on overload and I couldn’t get a break. I was snapping at everyone and my world was getting darker and darker... My psychiatrist had me try a new medication, but I quickly stopped that as I knew there was something we weren’t seeing. 

Why didn’t my OB have me get a blood test? Why didn’t my Psychiatrist ask about my birth control? Why am I getting acne at 35? Why have I been depressed since I started puberty?

I decided to do some research on my own. I needed answers. I purchased The Women's Book and started to read. McDonald has gathered TONS of research and compiled it in one place. I realized that this IUD was likely the cause of my acne & I found the recommended BC for a strength athlete was a gen3 pill w a specific combination of hormones... so I immediately made an appointment with the OB and had the IUD taken out and was prescribed the pill I requested. 

My skin cleared, my strength seems to be back... I’m a little less crazy... but I’m still dealing with quite a number of physiological issues that I am certain are due to my hormonal imbalance. Hopefully the new Functional Medicine practitioner will have answers for me next week!! Stay tuned.

Post-competition Blues

I stopped updating this blog a few years ago... I never really had the audience and it just took a backseat to the quick posts I could get out via Instagram. 

Recently, I was encouraged to get more content out there. While I’m working on starting my YouTube channel, I figured getting some blogs written would be a great place to start.

I’ve been competing in Strongman for almost a year now and I’ve noticed that after each competition, no matter how I perform, I seem to get the blues. I am lethargic and my depression really seems more prominent than it "usually" is. I was doing some research and I found a few studies of high level athletes (Olympian) who reported similar feelings. When you have an intense high and the adrenaline + dopamine overload of a competition, returning to "normal" neurotransmitter levels can feel like depression; moreover, for somebody who already battles depression, that contrast can feel even more extreme!

So how do we overcome this? Many athletes seem to distract themselves with the next competition on the calendar. While I don’t consider this to be unhealthy, I’m curious what other coping strategies people use!

It may sound weird, but I find tanning can help. If the weather outside doesn’t allow for me to soak up some Vitamin D (boosts serotonin), then I will use a low-level tanning bed to help get those feel-good chemicals going in my brain. Additionally, I get a massage, my nails done... maybe a facial #teatYOself 😁 A little extra self-care goes a long way in pulling me out of the funk. Then setting up my plan for what’s next... always having new goals to set and chase--that’s my game plan!

If you have a post-competition routine, I’d love to hear about it! Comment below.

Reference: Florio, J. "The Dark Side of Going for Gold." TheAtlantic.com . 18 Aug. 2016.