Iris was a wreck during menopause: “Hormone therapy has given me my life back”

Iris (60) is married, has a 29-year-old son and works as a naturopathic therapist. When she was younger, her menstrual cycle was never an issue. She may have been more moody before her period, but that was about it. This all changed once she entered postmenopause. Iris: “Two years after my periods stopped, I thought: I’ve had it. I don't want to grow old like this.”

It started with vague symptoms

The symptoms crept up on Iris gradually during perimenopause, as they do for many women. “The symptoms were subtle at first,” she says. “My sex drive decreased, my hair felt thinner and my skin started to sag. I also noticed a dip in my mood every now and then. But I did not associate these symptoms with menopause.”

It wasn’t until her menstrual cycle changed and she started getting her first hot flashes that the penny dropped and she realised it was menopause. At age 47, Iris stopped having periods altogether. “Compared to my friends I thought this was early. I wasn’t too bothered about it, until the symptoms got worse.”

Worsening of menopausal symptoms

What kind of symptoms did Iris have? “You name it, I had it,” she continues. “My mood was all over the place. I had crying spells, was over-sensitive and struggled with low mood, fatigue and low self-esteem. I also had pain in my joints and I seemed to be losing muscle mass despite working out three times a week. My skin was showing visible signs of ageing and my sex drive was practically non-existent.”

The hot flashes got worse, especially at night. “I wasn’t sleeping well and was having horrible night sweats, especially if I’d had too much coffee or wine. This made it even harder to get a good night’s sleep. I would wake up drenched in sweat to the point where I had to change my pyjamas nightly.”

Natural remedies

As a naturopathic nutritional therapist, Iris was keen to find a non-invasive solution and turned to supplements and herbal remedies. “I tried all sorts of things, from multivitamins and maca to Lady's Mantle and other herbs that work on the hormonal system,” Iris explains.

“I swallowed every pill, vitamin and herbal remedy I could lay my hands on. Some helped ease my hot flashes a little, but soon the treatments would lose their effectiveness and the symptoms would come back or get worse. I felt like I'd hit a wall, so I went to see my GP. He was unable to do anything but prescribe HRT, which I had to stop because of bad headaches. I had to learn to live it, he said.”

Tailored hormone therapy

Through her work as a naturopath, Iris came into contact with a gynaecologist who treated women with menopausal symptoms. “I booked a consultation and indicated that I wanted to have a blood test and personalised hormone therapy, tailored to my health needs and symptoms. And that’s what I got. Furthermore, a vaginal examination was conducted to assess my vaginal mucosa. Turned out the lining of my vagina had become very thin.”

The doctor prescribed vaginal hormone cream. “It worked wonders. Three weeks later, all my symptoms were gone,” Iris says with delight. “My body no longer hurt, my hair stopped falling out. I felt great, strong and young. My sex drive was even higher than before menopause!”

HRT has been a game changer

Iris had to apply the progesterone cream at bedtime. Because the cream had to be stored in the fridge, there were days where she would forget to use it. Iris: “I noticed the difference immediately. All of a sudden, I’d feel teary and low for no apparent reason, or have no desire for sex at all. That’s usually when I'd remember that I forgot to apply the cream. For me, HRT has been a game changer.”

Iris is a bit worried though. “My gynaecologist is about to retire. I hope there will be more places soon where women can receive the personal care they need.”

I was a wreck during menopause. Hormone therapy has given me my life back.

I'm never coming off HRT

Iris has been using the cream for 10 years now. The dose is adjusted every year, according to her response. “HRT has been a lifesaver for me. I can't tell you how much it has improved my quality of life. I plan to stay on HRT until I die, even if I move abroad and have to pay for it myself! It's absolutely worth it.”

Keep looking until you feel better

Does Iris have a tip for women who are struggling with menopause? “Take action and keep looking until you've found something that works for you. You can feel like you did before menopause,” she says firmly. “For generations, women accepted menopause as part of life. Those days are over! You don't have to feel horrible or like an old lady. Don't suffer in silence, there are solutions out there.”

Also interesting: Wies: “Is HRT the key to staying young forever?”