I am 45 and going through the same thing. My doctor also wasn't "cutting edge" so I did some research on other natural remedies. After a lot of research and talking to several doctors I tried USP Progesterin cream. I wanted to start with something small. It has helped me in all the right ways. If this hadn't helped I was going to the BHRT route as well.
Menopause
- Thread starter Loreenie
- Start date
carolmcf
Cathlete
menopause, muffin top, and misfires
In Cathe's post on muffin top, she mentioned thyroid misfire. This happened to me when I was 46 and early menopause followed. At the time, I was running marathons for my weight control! A roller coaster of frustrations followed for me, most of which came from bored endochrinologists, who would see me once a year to renew the thyroid med and tell me to watch diet and "start exercising". It was a struggle having energy and I would drag through workouts sometimes. A friend of my does muscular research at UMinn, particularly as it relates to aging. She told me about findings of importance of hormone replacement therapy (HRT, Prempro and the like) and female activity level after menopause. She convinced me to see my GYN and he wholeheartedly agreed. I know there are risks of HRT, but they are minimal if you are healthy otherwise. It is important to know the risks. The other thing that helped me was firing my yawning endochrino doc and going with a good internist who balances all components of health. She has helped me figure out the best balance for me to manage thyroid and menopause. At any rate, I am 60 now, and in best shape of my life (for me, I will never be model material). Love Cathe's programs for getting me there over the years, and enjoy wearing smaller sizes.http://cathe.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif
In Cathe's post on muffin top, she mentioned thyroid misfire. This happened to me when I was 46 and early menopause followed. At the time, I was running marathons for my weight control! A roller coaster of frustrations followed for me, most of which came from bored endochrinologists, who would see me once a year to renew the thyroid med and tell me to watch diet and "start exercising". It was a struggle having energy and I would drag through workouts sometimes. A friend of my does muscular research at UMinn, particularly as it relates to aging. She told me about findings of importance of hormone replacement therapy (HRT, Prempro and the like) and female activity level after menopause. She convinced me to see my GYN and he wholeheartedly agreed. I know there are risks of HRT, but they are minimal if you are healthy otherwise. It is important to know the risks. The other thing that helped me was firing my yawning endochrino doc and going with a good internist who balances all components of health. She has helped me figure out the best balance for me to manage thyroid and menopause. At any rate, I am 60 now, and in best shape of my life (for me, I will never be model material). Love Cathe's programs for getting me there over the years, and enjoy wearing smaller sizes.http://cathe.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif
Hi loneswaneast.
No, you don't sound preachy at all
I appreciate your candid reply. I don't want candy coated responses or suggestons. What I need right now are like you say, the facts of life. Even if I don't like what I'm hearing. And I truly appreciate the point about wanting a life that means more than keeping my waistline. I'm just seriously hoping that I can have both, at least to some extent. Thank you all for input. It helps to know I'm not the only one......... Still hoping to hear from Cathe!
backer65
Cathlete
Well I'm glad you found something that is working for you. BHRT has been my solution but we are all different and it's great you found a doctor that is more "involved" and "interested". I think that is why I like the BHRT doc so much. If you ever want to know more check out his website. Great information on research studies with BHRT as well as information regarding it's long history as a remedy for menopause. I didn't mention before but it also helps to retain muscle. I've actually been able to see more muscle definition in the past year. Before I worked hard, ate well and still struggled to get the definition I was looking for.
All the best,
-Michele
Cathe's "muffin top" post did mention cutting back on carbs and that has been the key for me. I got the New Atkins 2010 edition and started counting carbs. I found that 100grams of net carbs is my magic number if I want to stay under 130 pounds. That is not really "low carb" in fact it is the upper limit of what Atkins recommends. But it works for me. The book is really excellent, explaining how the higher (even healthy) carb diet wreaks havoc on your metabolism as you age and become more insulin resistant. Insulin inhibits fat breakdown so you want your levels low at all times. Cathe has recommended the paleo diet which eliminates a lot of carbs.
I also found I was mildly hypothyroid so you should really get your TSH checked. If its over 3, you are hypothryoid, even though the lab may say 4.5 is the cutoff.
I'm 55 and if I can just eat those 100grams of net carbs I can look fabulous. Unfortunatly, I really like ice cream so I'm putting up with a little muffin top for now!
Beth
I also found I was mildly hypothyroid so you should really get your TSH checked. If its over 3, you are hypothryoid, even though the lab may say 4.5 is the cutoff.
I'm 55 and if I can just eat those 100grams of net carbs I can look fabulous. Unfortunatly, I really like ice cream so I'm putting up with a little muffin top for now!
Beth
maggiesedai
Cathlete
hormone replacement therapy
I've just been diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ (stage 0) breast cancer and the oncologist asked me about hormone replacement therapy and early birth control use as part of taking my medical history. He said that both HRT and BC use for any extended period of time increase the risk of estrogen positive breast cancer, which accounts for 80% of breast cancers currently diagnosed. I only took BC pills for 2 years, 39 years ago, and took an herbal supplement for about 4 years that 'balanced' my hormones after menopause started. NO family history of breast cancer, which is the biggest risk factor. So I'm really, really leery of HRT for helping during menopause and wish I'd not taken the supplement, but of course hindsight is 20/20, right?
I've just been diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ (stage 0) breast cancer and the oncologist asked me about hormone replacement therapy and early birth control use as part of taking my medical history. He said that both HRT and BC use for any extended period of time increase the risk of estrogen positive breast cancer, which accounts for 80% of breast cancers currently diagnosed. I only took BC pills for 2 years, 39 years ago, and took an herbal supplement for about 4 years that 'balanced' my hormones after menopause started. NO family history of breast cancer, which is the biggest risk factor. So I'm really, really leery of HRT for helping during menopause and wish I'd not taken the supplement, but of course hindsight is 20/20, right?
ReneePruitt
Cathlete
Omg.. Thats horrible! But if u dont take any hormones doesnt that bring on other risk factors? Like other cancers?i get so confused.
walkrtalkr
Cathlete
I really have had to work to lose the weight. I have been a fitness instructor for 30 years and had always heard you gain weight with menopause. I didn't believe it I thought they just weren't working hard enough or applying themselves.....WRONG!!! I am 5' 2" so every pound shows can't really hide it. I teach a circuit class using mainly treadmills and had been getting lazy and not really running as much. My class challenged me to run a half marathon. I ran 2 and then I decided to run a full (26.2 miles). That made me change my diet and I dropped doing weights as much. I am 56 and I lost 22 pounds as well as 3 dress sizes. I'm training for my second FULL marathon.
I ended up this year doing a total overhaul in how I was doing my workouts. I run 5 times a week, am doing the Cathe XTRAINING workout videos, stretching/flexibility workouts 3-4 times a week and watching my diet. As far as my hot flashes. They started at 43 and still haven't stopped but they're easier to deal with. My periods stopped 6 years ago,I do hope the flashes stop at some point...hope you find what works for you. Sometimes we have to get out of the box of doing the same old, same old..good luck and happy exercising....Leigh
I ended up this year doing a total overhaul in how I was doing my workouts. I run 5 times a week, am doing the Cathe XTRAINING workout videos, stretching/flexibility workouts 3-4 times a week and watching my diet. As far as my hot flashes. They started at 43 and still haven't stopped but they're easier to deal with. My periods stopped 6 years ago,I do hope the flashes stop at some point...hope you find what works for you. Sometimes we have to get out of the box of doing the same old, same old..good luck and happy exercising....Leigh
Cathe Friedrich
Administrator
Hi Lori!,
While I haven't entered this phase/stage yet (I still have regular 28 day cycles) I do feel my middle section shifting/changing. It is very frustrating and I have been doing a lot of research on this. I'm finding types of foods, moreso than even exercise can play a huge role in how our bodies process, store and burn foods. But that's a whole different topic and one that I am still researching. As for addressing menopause more specifically you might find this article that I posted in my blog today helpful.
Good Luck with everything and let me know if you have any further questions.
Cathe Friedrich - Many women experience weight gain after menopause and that weight comes in the form of body fat, not muscle. Is weight gain after menopause inevitable? Find out why it
While I haven't entered this phase/stage yet (I still have regular 28 day cycles) I do feel my middle section shifting/changing. It is very frustrating and I have been doing a lot of research on this. I'm finding types of foods, moreso than even exercise can play a huge role in how our bodies process, store and burn foods. But that's a whole different topic and one that I am still researching. As for addressing menopause more specifically you might find this article that I posted in my blog today helpful.
Good Luck with everything and let me know if you have any further questions.
Cathe Friedrich - Many women experience weight gain after menopause and that weight comes in the form of body fat, not muscle. Is weight gain after menopause inevitable? Find out why it
capricorngirl
Cathlete
Thanks Cathe