Hello everyone. I’ve been on this crazy health journey the past 5 years and just turned 40. No one believes me when I say I think I'm in perimenopause. My OB just prescribed me birth control and SSRI without any blood tests. After doing lots of research I feel like my body has been in a state of fight or flight for so long. The Birth control and SSRI have helped me mentally and it’s nice having shorter less painful periods. But recently I’ve been having restless legs, night cramps, night sweats, vertigo, and really bad GI symptoms. I’ve also gained 30 pounds all in my midsection. I’m terrified to get off of birth control and the SSRI. I don’t want to go back to the way I felt before…I finally feel normal and like I’m almost back to my old self. I really want treatments but am on such a restricted budget. I’m feeling at a loss again.

Quick poll! 🩺💊📊Did your provider run labs before prescribing/starting you on HRT?

Here are Kaylyn’s thoughts on perimenopause & menopause pain + inflammation hacks you guys ask about all the time 👇 ❌ Provitalize: I’m a fan of probiotics, just not for joint pain. 😅 ✅ Magnesium Lotion: I loveee magnesium lotion for tight muscles, muscles spasms, & restless leg syndrome, but something like Voltaren or Penetrex may work better for joint pain. ✅ HRT: Hands down the best option for treating hormone related chronic pain & inflammation. ❌ Tiger Balm: This can be used to relieve tight muscles, but I still prefer Magnesium Lotion. ✅ Berberine: My ALL TIME favorite recommendation for perimenopause & menopause joint pain & inflammation. (Our berberine + inositol supplement is restocked HERE👏🏻) ✅ Collagen: Great for protecting connective tissues long term, but not super useful for acute pain and inflammation. ⚠️ Glucosamine: I do really love glucosamine, but it wouldn’t be my go-to for treating hormone related chronic pain & inflammation. Let me know what we should cover next?! 🤔

For those of you on HRT, what would you say were the first notable changes you experienced after starting your protocol? What improvements stood out to you the most? For me, I saw an immediate improvement in my brain fog. I'm talking in the first couple weeks, it felt like I could finally have a coherent thought. & I also noticed that I wasn't as irritable or over stimulated all the time. That really stood out to me because I was SUPER on edge all the time before starting my injections. 🥹 I'm curious to hear what you guys experienced!

Out of curiosity - I know we are all different and such but I’m super curious what your all feeling best at with estradiol levels, like what level did you settle at that made you feel you were happy and healthy and optimal?