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.