"Are you on hormones or have you ever been on hormones?"People ask me that question often. In fact, just yesterday, someone asked me that question.
My answer is "No." During my 58 years on the third rock from the Sun, I have never taken hormones.
However, I do take care of myself.
I never smoked.
I never did drugs.
I seldom consume alcoholic beverages and when I do, I never have more than one or two drinks.
I watch my weight. I have been within 5 pounds of the same weight for most of the past 35 years.
I have not had any illnesses or diseases worse than the flu or the common cold.
I walk one to two miles a day weather-permitting.
About five years ago, I began taking better care of my skin. I moisturize my face every day and I use the latest Avon product to make my eyes look better/younger/less wrinkled.
I am very adept at applying makeup. I have been practicing for nearly 45 years, so I should be getting the hang of it by now!
All that, but no hormones!
Not that there is anything wrong with taking hormones.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous --- I disagree. Hormones can be dangerous if used in high doses, with or without proper medical monitoring. Read all about it here.
ReplyDeleteIf hormones aren't needed, then i would stay away from them myself.
ReplyDeleteHowever, Herbal stuff i think is fine.
Very nice entry and thank you for sharing!
xo
Some "gender therapists" play fast and loose with the assessment that SHOULD lead to the possibility of NEEDING and using hormones. There's a reason guidelines were established -- exactly for this reason. Therapists, people who are supposed to be "trained" (academically/medically) are supposed to RULE out other causes ALL before suggesting medical treatment -- thus NOT prescribing hormones unless androgen disorders, and other disorders, syndromes and "issues" have been tested for and then eliminated.
ReplyDeleteNot everyone needs hormones and the reason to be on hormones is supposed to be to supplement or increase what the body is or for some medical reason NOT producing rather than taking them to "reduce anxiety, tension or dysmorphia".
When it comes to medically or altering your body, remember this one key note: it is YOUR body and the mantra "my body is my temple" should be your utmost goal in life. Educate yourself, understand the pros and cons and what long term problems AND goals can be when taking any medication as it will also impact other organs and chemical responses within your body.
Just a small fyi from someone on the other side of the looking glass.
Staci is right and that link should be looked at by anyone who is considering hormone treatment - particularly unsupervised. I got Premarin from my electrologist when I was starting out and was running unsupervised for several years. When I began to have a problem with vision in one eye, I went to see a doctor about it. I thought I had brain cancer. The doctor looked me over and asked me to be very truth: was I taking any prescription or non-prescrition medicine. I admitted to the Premarin and she told me to stop. I did, and my vision problem went away. She gave me a very frank discussion and scared me off the stuff without a doctor. She also gave me a referral. Be careful.
ReplyDeleteAmelia --- Thank you for sharing your story.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous --- Thank you for the wise advice.
ReplyDelete