I wasn't all that shocked when I read this article but you might be. <a title="Centre for Menstrual Cycle and Ovulation Research" href="http://www.cemcor.ubc.ca/print/310" target="_blank">Why Does My Heart Feel Like its Doing Hurdles?</a> is a Q&amp;A from the Centre for Menstrual Cycle and Ovulation Research in Vancouver, BC.  The article is definitely worth a read if you're anywhere near peri-menopause.   I'll spoil it for those of you who don't want to read the entire thing - in the article a woman mentions that two cardiologists have suggested she undergo heart surgery to cut the electrical channels in her heart.   But Dr. Jerrilynn C. Prior has another idea - she believes that the 46 year old woman is experiencing peri-menopausal symtoms that can be treated with....you guessed it.....progesterone!

I have lived through similar, albiet less invasive suggestions from doctors who either over-treat, mis-treat or just plain misunderstand what is going on in my body.  This is why I believe so strongly in <strong>self-advocacy</strong>.

Here are some of my examples:

<strong>Infertility</strong>: without ever testing my hormones doctor prescribes Chlomid - a fertility drug.  5 years later I get my hormones balanced and start to ovulate (big surprise there) and get pregnant the first month I start my hormones.

<strong>Miscarriage</strong>: suggested to try three pregnancies and if they ALL end in early miscarriage only then will the doctor investigate.  After 2 miscarriages I do my own research and demand progesterone - I went on to have 3 children and took progesterone for approximately the first trimester.

<strong>PMS:</strong> was offered birth control pills and anti-depressants which made it worse not better.  My problem was estrogen dominance - birth control pills (even the supposed low dose birth control pills are full of estrogen).

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