Confused about what to expect in midlife? Wondering how to treat mysterious symptoms like night sweats or stubborn weight gain? I got you. Welcome to my channel, where I give you straight tea on everything from painful sex to heart health through my weekly videos. I’m Dr. Heather Hirsch, a board-certified internist, accredited menopause specialist, founder of the menopause clinic at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and former faculty at Harvard Medical School. I see women in my private telemedicine practice (in 8 states, CA, NY, MA, NH, RI, FL, OH, and AK), so head toheatherhirschmd.com/bookings to schedule!
What you said is so true 😅 I’m 47 I had hysterectomy 6 years ago and started to have menopause symptoms last year but I just had my tests this week. My estrogen levels is 15 and my FSH value 92.4 but on the test results said I’m normal 😅 I’m confused 🤔 let see what my dr is going to tell me next week 😅
I was told that because I’ve regular periods, I’m not in Peru menopause 🤷🏻♀️ I don’t really have any symptoms except moody and anxiety, but that’s everyone right now🤣🤣🤣
Got a UTI that was really bad in post menopause. After it cleared, my dr. recommended vaginal estrogen via insert which worked for me. I should have used it years ago. It's a lifesaver for me. I did have some side effects. A couple of days after a dose I noticed more than the usual amount of my hair falls out and I have a huge decrease in anxiety. For me it's a small price to pay. Well the decrease in anxiety is a bonus. This is just my side effects because my friend had none. I got an insurance plan and got it the medication covered.
OMG!!! I just stumbled upon this video & I want to thank you for this 'normal-speak' explanation. So many RU-vid Dr's (gyni's) get a bit too technical and that's confusing. I'll be bookmarking this video and a few of your others & having a "discussion" with my stubborn Dr. The thought of going through the whole changing Dr's makes me twitch but it may be necessary. Thanks again
After perimenopause year of symptoms ..I recently woke to a severe pain in shoulder.. Went to check ..it seems frozen shoulder is known to be a common occurence for menopausal women. I thought to mention this even though an U.S showed calcification in tendons. I just want women to know ..the Dr's do not know or mention a connection which I have seen many online dr mention on research. Thanks for the info and work you do.
I am 43 years old, started menopause two years ago, two years no period. I started HRT in March of this year. I was rid of my complaints very quickly. Since July I have suddenly had bleedings. I have lowered the dosage of estrogen (spray) and the last three weeks it went well. Yesterday I forgot the spray and took the progesterone on time. I have bleeding again. What could be the cause?
My regular gyn prescribed me HRT but I basically went in and said I want HRT. He basically said here are your options you pick what you want, oral or transdermal estrogen and oral micro progesterone. They were my only options. I explained to him that I had a reaction to progesterone in my thirties, were there other progesterone options? He said that's not likely to happen now, and prescribed progesterone. I haven't started the HRT yet because I'm fearful of the progesterone side effects that I had in my thirties. Ugh.
Can you pls tell us more about cycling HRT. My doctor is willing to try this with me but we don’t have a protocol. I use bio identical progesterone, estrogen and testosterone
Trialing vaginal route … experienced the water retention and bloating, so uncomfortable!! The frustration is that I’m having to figure this all out even with a “menopause specialist”. I have a prescriber but the knowledge, not so much.
I feel that women who are progesterone intolerant fall through the cracks. Doctors keep saying that there are lots of alternatives, yet nothing seems to work for me. I have tried different synthetic progestins which gave me depression, Mirena caused depression and massive hair loss, prometrium sends me into a spiral of anxiety, nausea and headaches. I have tried vaginally, oral, compounded - heck even 25mg gives me a pounding heartbeat. Some women convert progesterone very quickly into cortisol and it sends their sympathetic nervous into overdrive. I do not want to get a hysterectomy, but this may be the only option in the long run.
Dr. Heather, I realized I have acquired horrible amounts of post nasal mucus since I started the estradiol. Is this a common side effect? You don't list it but now I am reading about it. Is there anything I can do? I wouldn't like to get an infection since it becomes a nest for viruses. What to do? Thanks so much and you are the best fighter for all women!
I thought ethinyl estradiol was actually an endocrine disruptor and not estradiol at all? So therefore does not function to give protective benefits like just plain estradiol? Dr Felice Gersh did some videos that explained it for me quite well.
Im 44.5 and I think Im in early perimenopause. Poor sleep, anxiety. More period irregularity with 2 heavy periods this month plus spotting. Considering going on birth control but not sure.
Check and check! Increased from .0375 to .075 and the breast tenderness and heaviness was extremely uncomfortable. I also started feeling tearful again and I thought after crying for 2 years, that symptom was taken care of! Through all of this, I am finding I have to do the work (constantly educating myself) even with a physician who prescribes HT.
First time watching your video. Thank you for all your useful information. It would be helpful when you suggest a new product to spell its name. Thank you.
My Gyno Physician Assistant has me on a cream: estrodiol, testosterone & DHEA, plus a 200mg Progesterone = nightly Do I NEED DHEA? And is 200 mg Progesterone too much? No history of cancers, uterus healthy
Thank you for this info! I am on an estrogen patch (switching to a tablet that is processed thru the lymph, can’t remember what it’s called), but due to dryness, I am also rxd estradiol cream. My question is, can I use it all over the area or just insert it?
According to my OB the answer is yes. Yes you can rub a little on the outside as well. And here’s a bonus… She also said I could put a little on a qtip insert into my ear for my itchy ear due to perimenopause. Voila its gone. Estrogen is Queen!
@@valeriemaliaokalani1725Makes sense, as we are full of estrogen receptors. Through researching, I’ve found that yes, for sure you may place a pea size amount daily on the outer area of your va-jay-jay (utube didn’t like my using the proper terminology). Great info! Thanks!
ATTENTION: if you have ever had endometriosis NEVER EVER take hormone replacement therapy. I brought back this disease after 9 years pain-free post full hysterectomy after just two weeks of estrogen supplement hormones
She’s 53 years old, and going through peri menopause, After 3 months of building a great relationship, she suddenly says she’s don’t have feelings for me and wants out of the relationship. WTf just happened? Oh well I’m out! So unfortunate..
I have been on HRT for 6 months.LOVE my obgyn, but she never ordered labs prior to estradiol & progesterone. My hot flashes are worse then ever, and feel like I’m going crazy, I fight sometimes just to get out of bed .and even exist, this is NOT me! . The insomnia, anxiety, hot flashes have gotten worse. I am taking celexa ( been 3 months now) which I feel has been the only thing making me sane. I ripped off my HRT patch tonight and stopped cold turkey. My husband is a registered nurse and recommended. I go see it endocrinologist.? I have no idea why my OB/GYN would not prescribe bloodwork before starting me on therapy? I’m desperate for your advice, thank you in advance 🙏
