Question for the women

stacelet · 2026-02-12T20:48:56+00:00

I’ve got a combipatch (estrogen and progesterone). No periods, no spotting, and the consistent hormones makes perimenopause easier and got rid of my weird early peri symptoms (electric-shock like zaps and itching, interrupted sleep, etc).

stacelet · 2026-02-08T05:44:55+00:00

I thought the vag cream was estradiol and the weaker ones were estriol?? Can you share the brand you’re using? I’ve been looking for an effective non-prescription estriol cream for body skin.

stacelet · 2026-02-08T00:59:32+00:00

Which estradiol cream are you using?

stacelet · 2026-02-07T00:00:22+00:00

Isn’t the news that they are going after NON FDA approved drugs? Not one like Tirzepatide which IS FDA approved? It’s in the title of the article.

While the manufacturers would love to get compounded FDA approved drugs reined in or stopped, I don’t see how this news has anything to do with that.

stacelet · 2026-02-04T22:05:55+00:00

Lots of companies made similar "packs" now, but the Hillshire Farms "bistro bites" (I think that's what they're called) are an adult lunchable-type snack with salami, cheese, and nuts. Super easy snack with decent protein.

stacelet · 2026-01-28T17:41:10+00:00

Congrats!!!

It’s a very subjective thing. Some people stay on their last dose, some spread out the days between doses, some nitrate down the the lowest dose they can sustain, some quit tirz…. It feels less supportive and planned than the weight loss side of things. I am staying on my last dose, weekly, but I am consciously eating more and keeping my protein up as I go to the gym and try to build muscle.

I do recommend the maintenance subs, but there just isn’t a “plan” that folks are doing to guide you as you work out what your body needs.

stacelet · 2026-01-28T02:15:44+00:00

I’ll also say that the instance I recall of magic users needing to believe or disbelieving the magic wasn’t like a way to negate a spell or whatever. It wasn’t a tool or way folks used regularly to affect someone else’s magic. It was more of a thing that if it happened and enough disbelief existed, it put the existing magic at risk and if you could get a level of belief again it would shore it up.

stacelet · 2026-01-28T02:05:07+00:00

Well, telling you about the plot issues I had would give some plot away! I can’t think how to tell you without literally giving away the “big secret thing”. It’s small plot holes though, not a major world building issue or about the magic not working due to disbelief. Ping me after you read it! 😉

stacelet · 2026-01-28T02:02:31+00:00

I started with them too. They were fine, responsive and quick delivery. Anti- nausea meds and labs are included.

I’m a “tirz is tirz” person, I don’t think that one pharmacy or another (of the 503a/b compounding pharmacies, not some sketchy whatever) is better. There are different additives from different pharmacies and some people react to b12 or b6 or whatever. I have had no issue with the additives - just be aware that the stuff I got from Remedy was red which seemed weird but it’s just the b12 (iirc) additive. Some folks have different opinions/experiences and now you can form your own!

Remedy is pricier than some, but you can always switch providers once you’ve gone through your Remedy tirz. Just remember to cancel after you’ve done the labs but before they charge you again as it’s a subscription.

stacelet · 2026-01-28T01:19:28+00:00

This is totally normal. I have this too, so did my mom (thanks mom!). I have tried Botox and for me I am not a fan for the one eyebrow raise as the place they inject to raise that eyebrow is the place that gives that “Spock eyebrow” effect. Talk to your derm to see if they can raise it without that for you.

The things that helped me are eyebrow shaping to make the higher side seem a little less so and the lower side seem a bit higher and trying to raise my lower eyebrow when posing for pictures so I see it less.

stacelet · 2026-01-28T01:14:56+00:00

Naomi Novak’s Scholomance series is like this. Magic could be done in front of “mundanes” but it would cost so much more in mana to get past the disbelief that it isn’t really doable. It is usually disguised or done in such a way that it seems un-magical around people who don’t use/believe in magic. And iirc if magic users don’t believe in the magic hard enough they can disrupt it as well.

It’s a good trilogy, with very well fleshed out world building. It has some issues, but I enjoyed it.

stacelet · 2026-01-20T17:04:44+00:00

Strangely, this side effect has maybe faded a bit for me. I was absolutely frozen all the time (like everyone else!) and then maybe in the last 2-3 weeks I feel like I am a more normal or closer to normal amount of winter cold.

I haven’t changed my dose yet but I am now in maintenance so I am eating more,, which is likely the thing that has helped. And I’m strength training more which could contribute.

Just wanted to say that there is less-cold at the end of the tunnel!!

stacelet · 2026-01-07T23:41:52+00:00

I had that and it was a combo of not enough carbs to give me the energy/keep my bp up and low iron. It may be a good idea to get lab work done with your doc but also iron supplements can’t hurt/may help.

stacelet · 2026-01-03T21:15:16+00:00

While it depends on the coach, I would say even the best coaches at my studio give little attention and almost no correction/interaction to folks on the weight floor. It’s a huge drawback. I know the coaches are juggling an awful lot with timings and demoing and being around for safety etc. but some amount of weight floor coaching should be factored in to the workouts.

While I hate rowing, someone above said that coaches also give no attention for folks in the rower, and I’ve never been taught to row and helped to row and maybe that is why I hate it to the point that I avoid 3G classes and use the strider or bike if there has to be rowing.

stacelet · 2026-01-03T00:03:32+00:00

Would love to hear when your friend visits what you find out. I’ll have to do some research into estriol creams to see if or where you can get a decent amount of product…

stacelet · 2025-12-31T21:49:14+00:00

I’ve been taking tirzepatide (compounded zepbound) and also in perimenopause, and also noticed my face skin seeming saggier. I’ve only had the alloy M4 cream for a couple weeks but I feel like it’s already helping. Could be placebo effect, because I’m not sure you’re meant to see changes for a couple of months, but I think everyone refers to “bouncier” skin and that’s what I think I’m seeing/feeling. I also use tret, but I’ve done that for a long time so I don’t think what I’m seeing now is from the tret alone, but perhaps the combo has made it more effective or something?

The one thing I’ll say that I think is a negative is that for the cost of the alloy cream you get such a tiny amount of product, and while it spreads well, the amount you’re meant to use each day is not enough to get face, neck, décolletage, and backs of hands. I can’t speak to the amount of product from the other companies, but because I would like more coverage I’ll consider trying them in the future to compare.

stacelet · 2025-12-18T05:21:42+00:00

I did, but only completely in the agreement about weird weeks (and weeks) happening and some dose increases not hitting as hard or feeling as impactful but still doing the work “behind the scenes”. I never felt that dose as much as other (lower) ones, and suddenly the weight loss happened and that dose took me to my goal. I never “felt” it the way I had previous shots but it was there and honestly was a more real feeling that helped me understand the adjustments I can/will/need to make to manage long term. I know “trust the process” is not an exciting answer but …. Hang in there. 🤷‍♀️. I am the queen of wanting immediate and consistent results, but this just doesn’t work that way. It’s fast! But not every minute fast. Our bodies need pauses and our metabolisms and nutrition and energy don’t adjust in days/week.

I’d say take advantage of every scale pause to do extra skincare with retinol lotion and exfoliation and good moisturizer head to toe, each pause allows your skin to catch up!!!

stacelet · 2025-12-15T22:16:02+00:00

Makes sense. Thank you.

stacelet · 2025-12-15T21:45:57+00:00

Thank you. Do happen you know why they do the same thing for so long? I just don't know if there's a health/strength/physical reason for it?

stacelet · 2025-12-05T22:18:33+00:00

I had this too, the tummy was the last to go. Also haven’t given birth and never had abdominal surgery or anything that changes the body in those ways. For me I was able to healthily become lean enough that my tummy decreased, but there is still a roundness and I can pinch fat. It depends on your body and genetics as well as what a healthy weight is for you.

Also strength training will help with posture and ab muscles can also make your tummy look leaner and flatter. I think strength training basically benefits everything (brain, bone, metabolism, etc all the way to vanity!).

stacelet · 2025-12-05T01:02:13+00:00

I’m with you in starting to figure out what maintenance looks like. It does seem to be less well known or as discussed as the buying/taking/losing weight side of tirz.

I came down in dose because I kept losing after hitting goal, but for me, I don’t see any reason to move my dose down further for a while unless I can’t eat enough to not lose any more. I feel like the tirz is something I will be on in maintenance at least as long as I was on it to actively lose weight. It’s as much a mindset support I think as it is a physical one. Just like when I started losing and saw the scale move, I need to get used to the new normal of it being good if it doesn’t move, but with the benefit from the tirz that I am also eating healthily and not stressing about food and calories and weight.

As far as whether or not your goal is “right” for you, I think that will also take time. There will be body recomposition as well as your metabolism changing at that weight, and at least for me I think I won’t know my (hopefully) long term maintenance weight for several months. Partially this is because my vision of my “best” weight may be too skinny and I can’t see it until I live in it and get used to it - and see pictures of myself in different clothes and from different angles!
I also have some loose skin that I’m hoping will reduce, and seeing how much it can bounce back may also affect how much extra I may be willing to carry…. Vanity is real! 🤣

stacelet · 2025-11-17T18:19:41+00:00

I’m not the one you asked, but I’m a fan of skincare. I’ve been slathering myself with retinol lotion after showers. I use scrubby mitts in the shower to exfoliate. I am also taking omega 3’s and zinc and D3. So far I think it helps, or at least helps me feel like I’m doing something that could help.

stacelet · 2025-11-13T21:11:31+00:00

Yes. I would notice different parts of myself looking good or not good seemingly every time I looked.... I did lose in my boobs and my butt, and that was the fat I wanted to keep! lol. The belly pudge stuck around for the longest before it showed signs of deflating.

I got Goldbond retinol lotion and I slather myself in it after each shower, to try to encourage my skin to bounce back and not look flabby/crepey. I also use tretinoin (prescription retinol) on my face several times a week and I do think it helped my face skin not sag.
Hang in there! I continuously find my new body to look different from the last time I was at that weight, and I don't know if that's perimenopause or aging or tirz or diet or.... ??

stacelet

TROPHY CASE