The Hormone Rollercoaster

In this episode, we talk all about menstrual cycles during perimenopause, why periods become unpredictable, what changes are normal, and how hormones drive the chaos. We also clear up when you’re officially considered to be in menopause and why that definition causes so much confusion. If your cycle has you guessing, this episode helps make it make sense.

Transcript

SPEAKER_01 0:04

Hot Flash and Sassy, a podcast with hot takes, hotter flashes, and a whole lot of sass. Have you ever cried over a commercial, then yelled at your spouse, then needed a heating pad all in the same day? Were you in my house yesterday? Oh, just yesterday.

SPEAKER_00 0:29

Ah, I think it happened. Poor Jay. Welcome back to Hot Flash and Sassy, where we keep it real about perimenopause, menopause, and all the wild plot twists that come with midlife. Because let's be honest, nobody warned us that hormones could turn our moods, our bodies, our periods into total chaos. Seriously, one minute you're laughing, the next you're crying at the dog food commercial. I have definitely done that. I mean, it's sweet. The poor puppy just needed nutrition. And somehow your knees hurt, your head hurts, and your period shows up two weeks earlier. So just to be honest here, I'm not really talking from a place of periods because I don't have them anymore. Ain't coming around me for two weeks. We're gonna give our past advice on that as best we can. Anyway, in today's episode, we're diving into something so many women experience but don't always understand how hormones affect mood swings, pain, and menstrual cycles during perimenopause and menopause.

SPEAKER_01 1:33

Yay! We're talking about the emotional roller coaster, Renee's favorite roller coaster. The mystery aches and pains, the period changes that make you wonder what is actually happening to my body right now. And as always, we're keeping it honest, relatable, and maybe just a little bit sassy because if we can laugh through the chaos, it makes the ride a whole lot easier and more fun. Sassy and sassy. So if your moods feel bigger, your body feels different, or your cycle feels like it's writing its own rules, this episode is definitely for you. Grab your coffee, your water bottle, your heating pad, whatever it is you need today, and let's talk hormones. Ready to get into it? You can grab your margarita too.

SPEAKER_00 2:13

She left that out. So make sure you grab that margarita. I don't have a drinking game yet, but I'm sure it was. Favorite way of hydration. There's gotta be water in the eyes. There you go. That's the way to look at it. All right, let's start with the big question. What is actually changing in our bodies during this time? Because I know for me, there was a moment where I thought, am I losing my mind or is something bigger happening here? I feel like we say that in every episode. Yes. And just a reminder, you're not crazy.

SPEAKER_01 2:45

And we talk about the roller coaster in every episode. That's true. So got a little hormones. And I think that so many women feel this way. Like things just start start to shift. Nobody really explains why. One day your cycle is predictable, and then suddenly it feels like your body is making up new roles, doing its own thing.

SPEAKER_00 3:05

And for everybody that is different. So let's break this down in a way that makes sense. Not medical textbook style, just real life understanding. What's happening is that our hormones, especially estrogen and progesterone, are starting to fluctuate during perimenopause, which is where I am in my fun little journey. And perimenopause can start earlier than most people think, which we also say in every episode, it happens for everybody at a different time. But it's definitely not waiting until 50, like some of those techniques like to say. So as early as the 30s, sometimes early 40s, and sometimes even earlier, just depending on the person, it can start uh and can last for several years. That whole 10-year thing. I don't believe them. Yeah, it lasts for 15 years for some people. They're liars.

SPEAKER_01 3:55

Yes. Um, so here's the important part. Perimenopause isn't one sudden event, it's more like a transition phase. And sometimes it feels like a really unpredictable one and a long one. 100%. Um during this time, estrogen doesn't just slowly decline. It actually goes up and down, sometimes dramatically. Sometimes. Yes, sometimes. And those up and downs. That's what causes so many symptoms we talk about. Which explains why you feel totally fine one week and then the next you're crying over something small, snapping at people, or feeling completely exhausted.

SPEAKER_00 4:29

100%. And it affects your periods. Um, you might notice your periods getting closer together, further apart, maybe excessive bleeding, maybe they're lighter if you're lucky. Not often. From what I've heard, it's not often that they get lighter. Yeah. Um, or just completely unpredictable, because that's 100% unpredictable. Um, the classic is skipping a period and giving you the false hope that, yeah, maybe you're you're done. No, just kidding. They come back, not yet. And um, oh, the fake out period. Yeah. That one deserves its own episode, definitely. Now, menopause itself is actually defined very simply when you've gone 12 consecutive months without a period. So I don't get it. 12 consecutive months, because I think I've heard people who say that they've gone for extended periods of time, maybe not 12 months, but they've also stopped having their period for a really long time, think they're in menopause, and then it's like, oh, just kidding, you're bad. It's to haunt you.

SPEAKER_01 5:35

Was that you that told me, or someone did I read this somewhere recently, that someone was like, Oh, I'm sure it was me. Profoundly stating something amazing that you actually probably found that somebody went like 10 months without a period, so they were like, Okay, this is it, like I'm in a menopause. And then all of a sudden they got their period, and it literally starts back over your clock. So, like, you get it, and now you can make it 11. Like, that's crazy.

SPEAKER_00 5:57

You don't just have two months added onto it, you're back at the beginning. No, it starts right back over. That's crazy to me. That's just I'm sorry. I'm sorry, everybody out there that still has a period because it sucks.

SPEAKER_01 6:10

It does. I don't miss mine. Yeah, me neither. Okay, so you lose your period. It's been 12 months. Bye-bye. You are now considered post-menopausal. But symptoms don't always magically disappear.

unknown 6:21

No.

SPEAKER_01 6:22

Some women still experience things like mood changes, body aches, or sleep issues even after menopause. The understanding, understanding this timeline is so important because so many women think something is wrong with them when really their body is doing exactly what it's designed to do. Oh, okay.

SPEAKER_00 6:38

Who designed this crib? It's just I want to return mine. I'll take my 25-year-old self back, please.

SPEAKER_01 6:49

I love that. I love that idea. Um, it's just that nobody prepared us for how messy the transition is. So let's be honest, when the moods are shifting, your body feels different, and your cycles start acting wild. It can feel scary if you don't know what's going on.

SPEAKER_00 7:04

So just a reminder, and I feel like maybe we just need a little flashing sign, these changes are common. Not normal, because that's what the medical world says. Normal. But common because we're all experiencing them together. Just nobody gave us a manual on the crap. No one told us. And by the way, you're not imagining them. They're really happening. So you're not broken and you're definitely not alone. And I always like to remind you, you're not crazy because this is for real.

SPEAKER_01 7:34

It's real stuff, people real shit we're talking about. All right.

SPEAKER_00 7:38

Holly's cussing. Oh, yeah, here we go. Get pissed off about the roller coaster. I don't like roller coasters. I traditionally love a great roller coaster, especially ones with the big old drops and real fast and upside down. Not this one. Not this type. Wrong type of roller coaster. All right.

SPEAKER_01 7:55

So we're gonna break down exactly how these hormones changes affect your mood, your pain levels, and your menstrual cycle. Because once you understand what's happening, it supposedly becomes less scary.

SPEAKER_00 8:06

Well, let's start with uh mood swings or what we've termed the emotional whiplash. Holly, wanna tell us all about that? I love emotional whiplash. I think it's the greatest title ever. I think it's it's a hundred percent what we experience.

SPEAKER_01 8:21

I think it's how I operate in life. Um and I think it's a fun little guessing game for people. Oh, yes.

SPEAKER_00 8:28

Guess what could you do?

SPEAKER_01 8:29

What is she gonna be like today? Okay, so let's talk about the emotional whiplash. Let's talk about hormone fluctuations and how it affects your brain chemistry.

SPEAKER_00 8:40

Because you're not crazy. This is really happening, and there is a biological medical reason. Albeit we don't always side with the medical teams on how to treat it. There is literally a biological reason. There is an absolute biological reason. Right. So mood swings taking down the roller coasters.

SPEAKER_01 8:59

Mood swings during perimenopause and menopause are strongly linked to changes in your hormone levels. No, I know it's shit. You're kidding, especially with estrogen and progesterone. Yay! So estrogen helps regulate your brain chemicals that control your mood. So that includes the serotonin, which helps regulate mood and happiness. Uh dopamine. Huh? You like serotonin? I think that you're gonna like dopamine. That affects your motivation and your pleasure. I like a little dopamine too, I'm not gonna lie. So when estrogen levels fluctuate, these brain chemicals become less stable. Your mood can shift more quickly. Wow. Um, your emotional responses may feel stronger. Uh-huh. Simple. The mood swings are not just emotional, they are connected to real chemical changes in your brain. We all knew that. It's not just for fun. Um, there are reasons behind it. We're not here to entertain our spouses. Correct. Okay, the other thing is an increase in anxiety. It's part of this fun roller coaster. So uh that's from your progesterone. So lower progesterone can make your brain feel less calm and more reactive.

SPEAKER_00 10:08

How do I get an IV of that shit? Yeah, like hook me up. You just start your day with that. Hey, do you remember from Andre's episode? She takes orally. Yeah. Yeah, we need to ask about that, I think. Judy, send us some progesterone. There you go.

SPEAKER_01 10:24

I think she does prescribe it to some people. I just can't remember what the reasoning is. We probably seem so calm.

SPEAKER_00 10:29

Oh, I'm sure that's what she thinks. Sure, that's what it's. You girls are great. You don't need that.

SPEAKER_01 10:34

Yeah. All right, let's talk about some emotional instability.

SPEAKER_00 10:38

Oh, yeah?

SPEAKER_01 10:38

So you're all of it. Are you are you stable or unstable? Well, how would you answer that? I'm scared. So yours is stable. How would you are you stable or unstable? In this very moment, I'm stable, but yeah, later today probably won't be.

SPEAKER_00 10:55

I always feel like I'm stable when I'm with you because like you help balance me out. And I also feel really comfortable because I think if I do anything stupid, you already know that perhaps it's just a moral moment.

SPEAKER_01 11:08

But I also think that I'm I feel more stable around females. I just because there's a little bit of them getting, I mean, I men do get the brunt of my like instability. Right. Because they don't get it, they don't understand. And it pisses me off.

SPEAKER_00 11:21

Right.

SPEAKER_01 11:22

So anyway. Anyway.

SPEAKER_00 11:24

All right. Okay, wait, the instability, that's estrogen.

SPEAKER_01 11:27

Yeah, so that's your estrogen fluctuation. So that's what causes your unpredictable hormone swings. Oh. Which can cause an unpredictable emotional response.

SPEAKER_00 11:36

Which is why Judy says, let's just go ahead and give you a little estrogen just in case.

SPEAKER_01 11:41

Yeah. She's like, let's just thank you.

SPEAKER_00 11:44

I'm gonna stop interrupting, you know.

SPEAKER_01 11:45

Well, no, this is good. The next one is something we talk about all the time sleep problems. So it makes your mood worse. Everything comes back to this stupid sleep.

unknown 11:53

I know.

SPEAKER_01 11:54

If you can't get sleep, guys, everything's fucked up. Oh my god, two. Stop counting. I'm gonna get self-conscious.

SPEAKER_00 12:05

I love it. Keep going.

SPEAKER_01 12:07

Keep going with it. All right. How about stress? Increased stress, stress, stressed, stress sensitivity. Another easy word. It's such that was a hard one. Um so your body may react more strongly to everyday stress during perimenopause, right? You're short fused, you don't have as much sleep. Clearly, you're just gonna be more sensitive. Uh, brain sensitivity to hormone changes. I think hold on, I'm going back to the stress.

SPEAKER_00 12:30

The word may may react more strongly. Are you kidding? Yeah. It's a 100%. You know the little emoji, the one zero zero with the line under it? Yeah. I'm underlining. That's where you are?

unknown 12:43

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 12:43

Yeah. Stress really takes the from the street.

SPEAKER_01 12:47

I mean, I feel like that's like reaction, right? We go, we learned about that before. Your body goes into fight or flight mode. And it's when you're stressed and you're not getting everything you need, you're gonna go into stress. 100%. All right, so brain sensitivity to hormone changes. So some brains are simply more sensitive to hormone changes. Uh huh. It must be ours.

SPEAKER_00 13:06

I'm sure it's ours.

SPEAKER_01 13:08

I wonder if they'd done research to be like, what in there? Why are they crazier than the others? I'm sure there is some sort of probe that they can. You do hear of some women that like don't have that much.

unknown 13:22

I know.

SPEAKER_00 13:23

I know. I don't believe them. Oh, do you believe? I know a couple people in their 50s that are they've just been fine. Really kind of smooth sailing.

SPEAKER_01 13:31

Maybe we should have them on.

SPEAKER_00 13:32

Right? Who'd you pay? We'll really question that. How'd you get the pass on this?

SPEAKER_01 13:37

Yeah. My gosh. All right. Depression um and anxiety risks may increase. We've learned about that before. Shocker.

SPEAKER_00 13:44

I mean your grand your grandmas had shock therapy treatment because they thought they were crazy. Correct. Because they were depressed and anxious, and nobody wanted to correlate that to the menopause that they were experiencing. Right. Same.

SPEAKER_01 14:01

Another thing is to think about like again, that's not all that depression and anxiety is tied to. So if you feel as though it's more, make sure you get assistance with that.

SPEAKER_00 14:11

But yes, this is a perfect time for the medical disclaimer. Yeah. We have zero medical expertise. No, we do not. All we have is our life lesson and advocating for ourselves because I think that's equally as important. Seek medical attention, but also advocate to yourself. Just go for a second opinion. Yeah. You know yourself better than any doctor does. So exactly.

unknown 14:35

Okay.

SPEAKER_00 14:35

All right. So why does everything hurt? Oh. How why does it? It's a very great question. Hormones cause inflammation, there's joint and body aches, changing menstrual cramps, headaches, migraines, breast tenderness, and body sensitivity. One of the biggest contributors to joint pain during perimenopause and menopause is declining estrogen levels. There's our e-guy again. I mean, e-girl. Why would I say guy? Well, I guess when it's declining, maybe it's new to a boy. It takes on a male persona. When it's being mean, yeah, exactly. Estrogen plays a role in reducing inflammation, supporting joint lubrication, protecting cartilage health, maintaining bone density. When estrogen declines, that's when inflammation can increase, joints can become stiffer, cartilage protection decreases, pain sensitivity increases. Estrogen helps regulate the muscle repair, muscle strength, muscle recovery, inflammation levels. I feel like I'm saying the same thing, Holly.

SPEAKER_01 15:47

You're saying a lot. It's all the same stuff, guys. It's crazy. And I mean, here's my question. We talk about perimenopause to menopause. And I feel like people think like menopause and maybe it is. Let me backtrack. Menopause is like this magic, like I'm just evened out. Because I do not understand it's maybe not the fluctuation. But don't you still have depleted estrogen then? You would almost have to, wouldn't you? And to me, you still have all these other issues. So now, like you still have a low estrogen, you're gonna have like low bone density and all these other things. Isn't this just naturally part of aging too? That's what I think. I think, but I think that's what it's chalked up to is like that's your natural aging is like this drop in estrogen. But I'm like, I don't want to live with a drop in estrogen. No, and I need some lubrication for my joints, please. Yeah. What did you say you sound like when you go up the stairs?

SPEAKER_00 16:35

Rice crispy tree. Snap, crackle, pop. Exactly. But then the muscle tissue becomes less efficient. Yeah. When you've got all of these things going on, plus micro injury. So just the smallest little twist your ri your wrist, your ankle, or something like that, it takes longer for you to get better. Which that makes sense.

SPEAKER_01 16:56

You hear of like eight, like older women, they fall and it breaks like this.

SPEAKER_02 17:01

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 17:02

So to me, that is it. Like you have this drop in estrogen. So even though you've gone through menopause, I still know that that's great for you. Right. And don't you still need the estrogen? Like, I don't want to get off of my hormones ever.

SPEAKER_00 17:14

Well, we have to when we can't.

SPEAKER_01 17:15

What makes us post-menopause? But here's my problem. I so that's my question. So I had all my stuff removed. Right. And I'm in menopause. But aren't I technically in post-menopause? Because I'm not having periods anymore. You've been long outside the 12-month- I still have symptoms of things when my pellets are up. I get hot flashes. I still have these things. So to me, I feel like some of this is saying like you'll hit menopause and then you're fine.

SPEAKER_00 17:41

Well, back at the beginning of the episode, they said it'll continue on. No.

SPEAKER_01 17:48

I think that there you could just be fine, and I think some of it's trucked up to like that's just natural, but I don't want I was 38 when I had a hysterectomy. I'm not gonna be a 55-year-old woman. You know what I'm saying? Like, I just I still think there's stuff to that.

SPEAKER_00 18:03

Right. I I think it'd be interesting to find out if it is an age thing. Will we have to endure this until our 50s?

SPEAKER_01 18:13

So I I mean I doubt that. How would it know? Like, how does your body know? I don't know. But I just think so. My mother, who's gonna come on here, I mean, she's she gets hormone replacement therapy, and I'm not gonna say her age because I don't want to get mad at me, but she's past her 50s. Like so, I mean, to me, she looks great, she's in great shape, she has these things, like, isn't it preventative?

SPEAKER_00 18:35

Well, this is you advocating for getting estrogen.

SPEAKER_01 18:39

I would just think it would be preventative.

SPEAKER_00 18:40

Yeah. I wonder, we'll have to ask her about these symptoms when she comes on.

SPEAKER_01 18:45

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 18:45

Because do the pellets help her with these kind of symptoms as well? Does she notice a difference? The way that we notice some of our menopause symptoms heightening when we kind of are weaning off the pellets. She does.

SPEAKER_01 19:00

She also had a hysterectomy, but like she had that 20 years ago or something. But she does because she just needed her pellets and she was talking about how achy she was. So it's just to me.

SPEAKER_00 19:11

So that estrogen is still helping.

SPEAKER_01 19:14

But maybe we're keeping ourselves in perimenopause almost in a way by doing hormones because we're making the fluctuation. But how long off of it would we have to do that? It's kind of insightful. Look at you, God. Okay, I'm very profound. I like it. I would like to ask Judy these things.

SPEAKER_00 19:30

I know. We I think we've eat this one because it's all of it. Okay. Pain.

SPEAKER_01 19:37

It's awful.

SPEAKER_00 19:37

I hate it. It sucks. It's not it's not fun. And I'm telling you, I feel it every day when I wake up. I feel it when I sit too long. So I still do. Oh wow. But it's drastically different when I have the pellets. Really interesting. It's the probably the one thing that I notice more than the hot flashes, more than the energy boost, more than the strength is the pain is helped so much by the pellets. Yeah. Yeah.

unknown 20:06

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 20:07

Thank you, estrogen. Woohoo, estrogen. Okay, let's talk about some menstrual cycle changes.

SPEAKER_00 20:12

Well, we can talk about it, but I don't know how much help I'm gonna be.

SPEAKER_01 20:15

Well, okay. We maybe didn't naturally like go through perimenopause and menopause when we had cycles, but one, we've had cycles. We have. And we still have gone through changes.

SPEAKER_00 20:25

So and do you want to know something funny about mine? Is that I still occasionally have symptoms.

SPEAKER_01 20:33

See, that is interesting.

SPEAKER_00 20:35

Ovulating.

SPEAKER_01 20:36

Because you have your ovaries.

SPEAKER_00 20:37

I still have my ovaries. So I'll get the pain, the low abdominal pain, similar to that of cramping. So maybe I can weigh in here.

SPEAKER_01 20:45

Okay, no, I think it away. We're gonna talk about it, guys. Okay. So let's talk about ovarian aging, the root cause. What's happening medically? This isn't this is a good one for you, Renee.

SPEAKER_00 20:58

So my um radiologist tech called it shriveling. That's right. She's that's right. I remember you said that. Shriveled ovary. Did you have a shriveled ovary? Ovaries are shriveled.

SPEAKER_01 21:11

I don't care for that. Um I like the way you said it. Ovarian aging. Okay, yes, there you there you go. And I said it right. So as women age, the ovaries naturally lose follicles immature eggs. This is a normal biological process. When follicle numbers decrease, ovulation becomes less predictable, hormone production becomes irregular, menstrual cycles become less regular. Yes. Simple medical takeaway. Irregular periods during perimenopause are caused by the natural aging of the ovaries. Because your ovaries are what produce your estrogen. Because you still get you still have some natural estrogen because you still have your ovaries. Yes.

SPEAKER_00 21:52

Which is why she says, We'll just give you a little bit. Right. Help me out.

SPEAKER_01 21:56

Help help her out. Okay. So your Progesterone drops first.

SPEAKER_00 22:01

Right.

SPEAKER_01 22:02

So that means progesterone is produced only after ovulation. Oh, I didn't know that. There you go. That's interesting. That is which makes sense as to why it goes first. Right. So during perimenopause, ovulation doesn't happen every cycle. Oh. When ovulation doesn't happen, progesterone isn't made. Oh. There you go. This leads to your hormone imbalance. And we learned about when we don't have our progesterone.

SPEAKER_00 22:25

Maybe that's why Audrey gets the progesterone is because she is still ovulating here and there in every way.

SPEAKER_01 22:32

I think that's what Judy said is like, I'm not ovulating anymore. I don't need the progesterone.

SPEAKER_00 22:37

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 22:38

But I wonder how it I don't know.

SPEAKER_00 22:39

Now I gotta ask her another question. Add it to the Judy question bucket.

SPEAKER_01 22:42

So your low progesterone can cause your irregular periods, more frequent periods, spotting between cycles, heavy bleeding. Oh, and I'm already mad because I have another word coming out.

SPEAKER_00 22:54

Here we go.

SPEAKER_01 22:56

Onovulatory. Ooh, I like it. That sounds good. Onivulatory cycles are where ovulation does not occur. So there are very common in perimetopause.

SPEAKER_00 23:08

Yeah, I would say that because it's very sporadic when I have the symptoms of ovulation.

SPEAKER_01 23:13

So that was my question.

SPEAKER_00 23:14

You're not once a month on the dot getting your and I tried to track it because I would get sensitive breasts, I would get the cramping pains, and it would last for like a week, almost like PMS. Interesting. Okay. But not every month. Not every month. Nope. Okay. All right. So look at me contributing.

SPEAKER_01 23:33

Yeah. See, I knew you would. You're gonna be better off with this one than me. Okay, so estrogen fluctuates, not just drops.

SPEAKER_00 23:42

Correct.

SPEAKER_01 23:42

So it's not just a down, it can go back up. Okay.

SPEAKER_00 23:45

On the roller coaster, remember.

SPEAKER_01 23:46

It's on the roller coaster. So during perimenopause, estrogen levels rise and fall unpredictably instead of staying steady. Sometimes estrogen levels are actually higher than normal before eventually declining. So estrogen fluctuates can cause heavier periods, longer periods, breast tenderness, thickening of the uterine lining, irregular bleeding patterns. So heavier, unpredictable periods often happen because estrogen levels are unstable.

SPEAKER_00 24:14

Well, that is the reason that I had to get my hysterectomy. Because the bleeding, it was heavy.

SPEAKER_01 24:28

Oh my gosh.

SPEAKER_00 24:29

The one time they were sourcing my blood because they were concerned that they'd have to do a transfusion.

SPEAKER_01 24:33

Oh my gosh.

SPEAKER_00 24:34

I know. It was awful. I bet there's plenty of listeners out there that have the sim a similar story.

SPEAKER_01 24:39

I think this is interesting where it talks about the fluctuation because before my hysterectomy, I was on I had an IUD and I was taking an oral uh birth control pill, which they say you can do, but probably a good idea. I had my blood work done. My estradol number was way too high. Bad estrogen. That's the bad, and it was through the roof. But it's just interesting because I was having a lot of different symptoms, but you know, it was really because of too much.

SPEAKER_00 25:12

Exactly. So it can happen either way.

SPEAKER_01 25:16

Yes.

SPEAKER_00 25:16

We just want to be like Goldilocks and three bears. Just right. Just right.

SPEAKER_01 25:20

How do we become just right? Exactly. All right, let's talk about iron deficiency risk. So we talk about your heavy periods and what that that can lead to.

SPEAKER_00 25:30

Iron deficiency anemia.

SPEAKER_01 25:32

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 25:33

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 25:33

Doesn't that sound fun? It's a thing. No, I believe it. Yeah. Well, of course. It means like your loss of blood. I think that has to do with like your ferritin number. It means you're losing blood.

SPEAKER_00 25:42

Oh.

SPEAKER_01 25:43

So yeah, that makes sense. When your iron levels, you know, kind of start dropping, you would have fatigue, weakness, dizziness, shortness of breath, and pale skin. There's my problem. That's why I'm reflecting the sun. Oh, that's what it is. Except I have high iron. Do you take iron an iron supplement? I don't. I don't. That's where I make my smoothies. That's how I get my iron. Oh, that's right. Yeah, I don't need spinach. It's the spinach and it was the protein powder.

SPEAKER_00 26:10

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 26:10

So my last round of blood work, my iron level was outs on the high side. It was outside of the range on the high side. Oh. Which is very rare for me and for women. But good. But good. Yeah, there's nothing wrong with it. They're okay. It's not that high.

SPEAKER_00 26:22

So I do take an iron supplement. Um, and I do notice a difference when I don't have it.

SPEAKER_01 26:28

Really?

SPEAKER_00 26:29

Still today.

SPEAKER_01 26:30

What is it one that like a medical professional recommended to you, or is it something you found? Is it I just found it myself. Okay.

SPEAKER_00 26:36

Yeah, I think it's 65 milligram. Something like that. One of the general vitamins. Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 26:42

You have good iron? Okay.

SPEAKER_00 26:44

Yeah, but I there is a difference. There's definitely um signs of anemia because I've tried to go off of the iron supplement. Okay. And there's some indications of anemia when I don't have the iron supplement. So I need it naturally.

SPEAKER_01 26:58

And again, for females, having higher iron is actually not common, is pretty common to have lower and iron levels.

SPEAKER_00 27:05

So but it's good. But it's very important. Check your iron and take an iron supplement if you are lower. Yeah. Yeah. For sure. Yeah. Okay. Let's talk about real life strategies. What can help us get this effing roller coaster?

SPEAKER_01 27:23

I want to get off. I want to get off the ride. Please stop the ride.

SPEAKER_00 27:26

I would like to get off now. My money back too. Well, one thing that we talk about a lot is empowerment. Focus on you being in control of this roller coaster. So maybe leviating some of the valleys and the peaks having such a strong, drastic difference and taking charge of it. But also track cycles and symptoms. I think that is 100% so important. If you are just starting your journey, start tracking now because there is a story in there somewhere. There is something that you're taking or not taking that will help you through this or make it a little bit less. Absolutely. Like iron. Yep. Lifestyle changes, we talk about that a lot. You know, the working out, the getting the sleep, the eating right, making sure you're hydrated. Those are all so important just to make an effort. Even if you just make the smallest effort, it's going to make you feel a little bit better. Yep. Um, hey, our favorite hormone replacement therapy. We like a little HRT.

SPEAKER_02 28:30

Love it.

SPEAKER_00 28:30

Um, oh, this one's your favorite. Go ahead. Supplements. Supplements. Yes. Um, we talk about it in every episode as well. We take a handful of them, and you just have to find what works for you. But more importantly, get the blood work done. Do the blood work. Do the blood work and don't just do your standard panel. See what's going on in there. Get somebody who can get you down to the root of the hormones. Yes. Advocating for yourself can't talk about that enough. And find your support community like Holly and I did. And if that means that you're just part of the Hot Flash and Sassy gang, that's cool with us too. Yeah. We're here for you.

SPEAKER_01 29:08

All right. I think that covers what we're doing today.

SPEAKER_00 29:10

That's it. Thank you so much for listening to today's episode of Hot Flash and Sassy. Your body isn't broken, it's shifting on a roller coaster ride, but it is shifting. Um, you're not dramatic, your hormones are busy, and we would love to hear from you. What symptoms surprised you the most during this fun little roller coaster? Yes.

SPEAKER_01 29:33

If this conversation resonated with you, please consider sharing this episode with a friend because chances are someone you know is going through the exact same thing. Every like, comment, download, and share allows us to continue to help support more women. So until next time, remember midlife isn't the end of the story, it's just a new chapter. And sometimes it's the most powerful one yet. That's right, girl. We are powerful together. All right.