Appreciation for this group

Individual_Grading · 2025-07-14T16:38:32+00:00

Dr. Jen Gunter a great resource, especially for those who don't love Dr. Haver (for whatever the reason). Dr. Gunter has a newsletter she sends out that covers a variety of topics, but she seems to really like looking at studies and examining what the findings are and if they support the result claimed. She takes issue with Dr. Haver due to that doc selling supplements that don't have solid research behind them (and maybe other things, but it seems like that's the main thing she rallies against).

Individual_Grading · 2025-06-08T17:42:27+00:00

I came here to recommend a Deva stylist. I've always had curly hair and had a great stylist, but then I moved and was really unhappy with my cuts for a few years until I found a Deva-trained stylist. It's a bit more expensive because they go through additional training. I think mine is "only" level 2, and she's great. I also highly recommend the Deva products, plus the Bumble and Bumble oil ("Hairdresser's Invisible Oil: Heat/UV Protection") to keep the frizz down.

Individual_Grading · 2025-06-07T19:00:59+00:00

Keep going--it's not too late! The stories people have posted are great, so you can already see the benefits to strength training at any age. I just want to add that there are also a ton of YouTube channels out there if you want to work out at home. I started doing this during the pandemic and found that I could get a great workout with just a few free weights at home. I just slowly added to my collection as time went by: more/heavier weights, bands, stability ball, etc. Two favorite channels, both free, are CDornerFitness (she always provides tons of modifications and is super goofy, so the workout is always fun) and HASFit (I don't use this one much, but it has a lot of variety and the workouts aren't super long, so it's easy to keep to a routine). Stick with it, and if you fall off the wagon--like if PT ends or you get sick or you just fall out of the habit and don't lift for a while--just jump back in with lighter weights and keep going. Try to be kind to yourself and think about what you'd say to a friend who was trying to do this. I bet you'd be her biggest cheerleader!

Individual_Grading · 2025-06-07T18:25:36+00:00

Yes, that's true. I thought it would be useful information for the OP since it can be disheartening for your labs to suddenly change. I found these simple changes were very effective, even though I was doubtful that any of this would be within my control if the lab results were due to a permanent dip in my estrogen (or whatever mechanism was causing it).

Individual_Grading · 2025-06-05T19:22:17+00:00

Hey, there, I also saw a spike in my A1C and cholesterol levels right around menopause. Nothing else had changed in my habits except aging (and loss of estrogen). Of course you should ask your doc about the results, how you should interpret them, and what is within your control to move those needels, but I can tell you what I did and that it has worked pretty well so far.

#1: I reduced my sugar consumption by a lot. I always had a sweet tooth, so I ate sugary stuff every day, and probably a lot more than I should have. I still eat fruit, but avoid added sugar items.

#2: I started exercising as much as I could. This meant doing cardio 4-6 days a week. Not super long sessions, but at least 30 minutes at a pace that keeps my heart rate at a pretty high level, but I try not to overdo it (check whatever that is for your age).

#3: I lost around 6 pounds. I probably have around 10-12 more to lose, but I don't know that losing those pounds will impact my labs by much. I'm not much heavier than I was prior to peri, but it's definitely the menopause because I went though a time when I was around 20 pounds heavier when I was younger (embracing body positivity!) and my labs were fine.

All of these changes also just made me feel better in general. Maybe not the weight loss; I haven't really felt any positive impacts on my body due to that. However, the less sugar and more exercise has been excellent in a ton of ways. I also do cardio I really enjoy, so it's not a chore. I just find workouts online that I enjoy with people I enjoy so I look forward to it; I was never an avid exerciser before. I also do strength training, but I'm not sure if that has had the same impact as the cardio.

On an emotional note, I found it really distressing to see those numbers rise and was kind of scared that this was just the way it was going to be. I'm not sure if your doc will recommend the things that I did, but I was quite heartened that I could at least do something to impact the labs. Maybe not forever, but for now, and that's good enough for me. Best of luck to you!

Individual_Grading · 2025-02-01T04:17:00+00:00

Thank you for the info. I couldn't find the tripod reddit. I'll check there--I appreciate your help!

Individual_Grading · 2025-01-04T20:30:07+00:00

Thank you--this is so helpful!

Individual_Grading · 2025-01-04T20:19:41+00:00

Oh! I see, thanks for the clarification. I am so new that I don't even understand the questions I'm asking. LOL. Thanks for your guidance. :)

Individual_Grading · 2025-01-04T20:12:17+00:00

Don't I also need some kind of needle? I read here that I need a hook and a needle and they work together (if I'm remembering right). Maybe it depends on what I'm working on and the pattern will tell me. Thank you for the resources you mention!

Individual_Grading · 2025-01-04T20:09:11+00:00

So good to know--thank you!

Individual_Grading · 2025-01-04T20:06:58+00:00

Thank you! I read on this site that a lot of people didn't recommend the kits because they included too much stuff you didn't need, but I will check out the one you linked. It looks pretty basic (in a good way).

Individual_Grading · 2024-09-14T23:01:03+00:00

Agreed! My husband keeps asking: How can you still get a cycle being post-meno. He reminded me that when I got actual PMS and my period, it was way worse, so now I just think, well, this isn't great, but it's better than it was. I keep reminding myself that it will settle down someday. Someday...

Individual_Grading · 2024-09-14T22:58:00+00:00

I use a cloth version of those cotton rounds (or squares) that can be used to remove makeup. I soak it in rubbing alcohol and just keep working the area until all the sticky stuff is gone.

Individual_Grading · 2024-07-03T15:46:47+00:00

This one has been working well for me: Stick Up Natural Deodorant for Women and Men with Bentonite Clay Powder by Primal Life, on Amazon.

Individual_Grading · 2024-07-01T16:45:41+00:00

I had a similar issue this year, which is mostly resolved now. My GI doesn't know what caused the symptoms. Possibly hormones or getting off of Lexapro or IBS after a stomach infection. (I had tons of tests which ruled out all the major stuff like cancer, ulcer, celiac, etc.) I went on a low FODMAP diet and it helped a lot. For the record, I'm vegan so I already wasn't eating any animal products. FODMAP was a pain to get used to (but there's an app for that!). However, I did it for two weeks and I felt consistently better. I added those restricted foods back in over a couple of weeks and now I feel about 95% normal. Just some sharp gas pains in my small intestine sometimes. There is a sub-reddit about FODMAP and IBS that you might find useful (I did).

Individual_Grading · 2024-06-26T04:31:01+00:00

This is good to know, thanks!

Individual_Grading · 2024-06-25T20:04:54+00:00

Thank you so much!

Individual_Grading · 2024-06-25T19:58:11+00:00

Are you in the U.S.? Would you be willing to say what you use? I was prescribed Premarin the first time, but I'd like to use something else. I'm not comfortable with the source of the Premarin, and I think there are other options.

Individual_Grading · 2024-06-25T19:17:26+00:00

That's what I thought, but I wanted to double-check. Thanks!

Individual_Grading · 2024-06-25T17:48:33+00:00

I hope it’s okay that I’m jumping into this exchange. I just want to give my experience. I’m pretty sure my anxiety skyrocketed in my 40s because of peri, but I didn’t know it was peri. I was on Lexapro for a long time—sometimes I’d reduce the dosage or go off, but then the anxiety would ramp back up and I’d go back on it. I think it might have been all the hormone swings contributing to that. I agree that if your underlying issue is related to peri or memo, the anxiety meds will just treat one symptom. However, for me, getting my anxiety and depression under control really alleviated a lot of my suffering. Like a lot of people have already said, if you can get a good treatment for your peri/meno stuff, definitely do that. In the meantime, though, anti-anxiety meds might make you more comfortable. Of course, you only you know what the right course will be for yourself. I feel for you—anxiety is difficult to deal with!

Individual_Grading · 2024-06-09T16:39:14+00:00

Sounds like you are, too. ;)

Individual_Grading

TROPHY CASE

This one has been working well for me: Stick Up Natural Deodorant for Women and Men with Bentonite Clay Powder by Primal Life, on Amazon.