To cream or not to cream?

The question none of us really thought we would have to enquire about and yet here we are. The seemingly new world of bio identical hormones can feel like a daunting task at first. It can be quite simple with a little bit of research. Which is not the traditional path our mothers took.

At 44 years old I had transitioned from a radiant confident youthful woman to an overheated, bloated and angry mass with insomnia. I recalled an infomercial I once watched with my favorite Three’s Company actress Suzanne Summers. She was the one who opened my eyes to the world of bioidentical hormones replacement therapy HTR. Here I saw this vivacious, beautiful, and fit woman clearly in the prime of her life. She resembled nothing of what I was looking at in my own mother at home. I could see the difference between what it looks like to be on the traditional chemical hormone treatment or this brave New World of bioidentical hormones. As I watched on, I understood that there was a way to relieve the symptoms of the impending announcement that would end my fertile years. She explained so clearly the symptoms and the solution. She treated it as a passion project, and I believed her. When it was my turn I followed in that direction because I understood that if I wanted avoid booming symptoms of the inevitable “Change“ I would need to understand my options.

At the beginning of COVID in January 2020, I spoke with my gynecologist in Dubai. She had informed me that this type of treatment was recommended amongst many women doctors. Again, I was looking at a beautiful and positive woman in her prime, my own doctor, suffering all the same symptoms that I was going through, and recommending the bioidentical HTR. She took great care to give me a full blood test screening as well as a saliva test and a deep look at the state of my thyroid gland. It was a very delicate series of tests to take as we needed to predict without any interference where my hormones were at. That meant no eating or drinking before drawing blood or taking the saliva samples. As I quickly commented on in my previous blog “Help! I am too hot” I was prescribed two different creams consisting of progesterone, estradiol and testosterone. One to rub on the pulse and one to rub around the vulva for fast absorption both of which are taken in the morning. I could feel an immediate change in my whole person. My insomnia melted away and my mood was more balanced and rational. Also my ability to self lubricate greatly improved, thanks to the testosterone and estriol vulva cream. I had to try hard not to over do it as it reignited my Libia into the flame I had always known and was desperate not to loose again. Thank the cream gods. So now I Identify As A Cream!

Understanding the balance of these creams is the job of a doctor who believes in this type of HTR. I also needed to supplement the hormone DHEA as well as various vitamins and minerals such as calcium, magnesium, Omega 3, B6 and B12, vitamin C, vitamin D, and zinc. The DHEA so far in Italy is considered doping in competitive sports as it is a precursor to testosterone. It’s often called the youth hormone. Since moving to Milan, I have found it very difficult to acquire it. Hopefully one day enough research with go into why women in our situation need this added value. As they say “Happy wife, happy life“.

It’s 4 1/2 years that I am consistently taking the hormones and checking and re-checking the balance that is prescribed to me. I can honestly say that my quality of life is very high healthwise. I feel like myself. I feel alive, vivacious with a libido to match mirroring the gusto the women before me had shown. I can tackle this season of my life with care and quality for myself and my family. For this, I’m proud of my choice.

If you are reading my blog then you already know that this kind of information is out there and it is mostly perpetuated by other women. The chemical option is also well known but treats our changing bodies as if we are ill or have ailment. WE are not!