Midlife Myths & Realities: Andrea M. Slominski, Ph.D.
If you’re a woman between the ages of 45-70+, I hope you have been listening to all the new research that has been released about perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopausal HRT treatments (Hormone Replacement Therapy).
The Women’s Health:
In 2002, when The Women’s Health Initiative announced the increased risk of breast cancer, along with a long list of other possible health problems resulting from the use of HRT. Millions of women stopped taking it. Doctors stopped prescribing it.
Since then, new formulations and treatments have been developed, and a new assessment of the original study has emerged. This is very good news.
In 2002, I was 40 and my youngest was two. After her birth, my OBGYN put me on birth control to stop ovulation because my mom had ovarian cancer. I had the BRACA 1 and 2 tests for cancer markers, and they came back negative. At age 50, I came off birth control and went into instant menopause. Yikes!
Since then, new formulations and treatments have been developed, and a new assessment of the original study has emerged. This is very good news.
“My doctor did not prepare me for what I was about to go through.”
My doctor did not prepare me for what I was about to go through. But I survived, and because of the hormone scare in 2002, I didn’t consider hormone therapy.
Click Next Scene:
Now at 65, I have osteopenia, a deteriorating spine with severe scoliosis and stenosis, and in the past two months have experienced the sudden onset of joint pain in the knee and hips.
Because I am a women’s menopause and midlife coach, I study the research papers, white papers, and statements from physicians about HT. I’ve dug deep into the development of new HT treatments and the studies around their benefits and risks. I am convinced to jump into the water.
Taking The Hormone Therapy Plunge:
Later this week, I’m going to start a regime of low-dose Estradiol, Progesterone, and Testosterone. I am going to see if I can stop further bone loss, reclaim my vaginal tissues, reverse my joint pain, improve my metabolism, build back lean muscle mass, sleep better, and improve the quality of my life in many ways.
I have started back on my weight loss regime. Moreover, I am following an intermittent fasting schedule (a nine-hour eating window), and I’m back at the gym lifting weights. After new blood results, I’m armed with more information regarding my thyroid issues, (possibly Hashimotos) and I’m following my hormone doctor’s orders to “Eat no gluten, check all labels.”
“I have started back on my weight loss regime.”
I invite you to follow my journey on my blog and social media beginning next week. As a 65-year-old woman, I’m part of what I call the Lost Generation, an entire generation of women who passed through peri and menopause during the HT scare and “Aged Out” of what is traditionally considered the window of opportunity for HT treatment.
Hormone Therapy Protocol:
I’m not advocating for anyone else to do what I’m doing. If you are 60 + I invite you to track my experience to see where I do or don’t realize my hopes from my HT protocol.
I have made this decision after long and careful consideration, with a full understanding of the potential benefits and risks, lengthy discussions with my physicians, a physical and many, many blood tests. In the spirit of transparency, some of my doctors are not thrilled about this choice. However, they are not menopause or women’s hormone specialists. I’m going to try the new protocol, when I have my prescriptions, I’ll post the details along with a log of my experiences.
In the meantime, if you are interested in finding out more about the new treatments and research I recommend the NY Times bestseller, The New Menopause by Mary Claire Haver, MD. Here are links to some of the new evaluations and studies.
Progesterone for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis in women
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29962257/
Review of menopausal hormone therapy with estradiol and progesterone versus other estrogens and progestins
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36075250/
Use of menopausal hormone therapy beyond age 65 years and its effects on women’s health outcomes by types, routes, and doses
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38595196/
Midlife is a lot more than menopause, it also includes the big psychological shifts that happen at this time of life. Women are complex, amazing tapestries of soul, power, creativity and potential. Here’s to making the best of our Regency years!
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About the Author:
Andrea M. Slominski, Ph.D., is an author, speaker, and women’s midlife coach. During her dissertation research and study, she explored the new life stage for women that has emerged over the past 100 years.
Naming this new life stage, from ages 45-70, Regency, Dr. A. has spoken at conferences, published articles, and coached women to make the most of their emerging power years. Dr. A. guides women 45+ through the often-tumultuous transformations during perimenopause, midlife, and menopause. She uses tools that include creativity, story, mythology, imagination, ceremony, and ritual. If you need support for your Regency years, including all the changes of midlife and menopause, I’m here for you. Email me at info@drandreaslominski.com