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 (CeMCOR) 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 Nobel Prize winning endocrinologist, Dr. Jerrilynn C. Prior the founder of CeMCOR has another idea based on her own research.  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 personal 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 <strong>get pregnant the first month I start taking progesterone</strong>.

<strong>Miscarriage</strong>:  OB/GYN 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 <strong>progesterone for approximately the first trimester</strong>.

<strong>PMS:</strong> I was offered birth control pills and anti-depressants which made it worse not better.  My problem was estrogen dominance - birth control pills have estrogen.  Anti-depressants didn't address my problem which was<strong> progesterone deficiency</strong> and gave me headaches for 6 weeks plus made me gain 15 lbs!

<strong>Postpartum Mood Disorder</strong> - My family doctor was going to put me on anti-depressants as soon as the baby was born.  I believe that this is the treatment suggestion most women are given by their doctors and it may even work for some women who don't mind being on anti-depressants.  In my case, I didn't want to be on anti-depressants and I already knew that <strong>progesterone was a possible treatment</strong> and sought out an OB/GYN that prescribed bio-identical hormones.   I truly believe I would have suffered for years and my situation would have been dire had I not taken the steps to find a doctor that provided my body the appropriate treatment for me.

<strong>Panic Attack</strong> -  I know that most doctors would have written me a prescription for anti-anxiety meds after my <a title="The Power of Hormones" href="http://www.hormonesoup.com/the-power-of-hormones/" target="_blank">New Years Day Panic Attack Scare</a>. In fact, my friend who is a doctor, was concerned for me and I am sure he thinks I have a Panic Disorder made the subtle suggestion that I need medication.  Let me just say that the panic attack was so scary and if I hadn't related it to my hormone situation I would have been begging for anti-anxiety meds! I just wanted the feeling to go away not NOW but RIGHT NOW!  I didn't get in to see my own doctor for about a week afterward and by then I had been taking my hormones but instead of anti-anxiety meds my doctor prescribed <strong>oral progesterone</strong> which acts quicker and differently (more about the difference in an upcoming post).

Visit <a title="Women to Women - Anxiety Coming Off HRT &amp; Perimenopause" href="http://www.womentowomen.com/depressionanxietyandmood/anxiety.aspx" target="_blank">Women to Women's website  </a>- here's just a portion of what they about anxiety while coming off HRT and in perimenopause:

"Women are more than twice as likely as men to feel anxiety, especially during PMS, perimenopause, and menopause. <strong>Anxiety is often the first sign of perimenopause</strong> — for example, women with moderate anxiety are three to five times more likely to experience hot flashes. <strong>Many women also experience rampant anxiety symptoms when transitioning off HRT</strong>.

Progesterone has a particularly soothing effect on your system similar to, and interdependent with, serotonin. When levels begin to drop as a woman approach menopause, this can leave her susceptible to anxiety-related problems, including insomnia. As women approach menopause, estrogen and progesterone levels often fluctuate widely, amplifying any existing anxiety symptoms. In my experience, relief from menopausal anxiety and panic attacks can only be gained once hormonal balance is restored."

Also check out this well-written article from Australian Dr. MacGeachy who runs The Hormone Clinic and treats his patients with progesterone:  <a title="Anxiety Attacks - Treatment with Progesterone" href="http://www.hormoneclinic.com.au/anxiety_.php" target="_blank">Anxiety Attacks - Treatment with Progesterone</a>.

If you have anxiety related symptoms that you think are being caused by hormonal fluctuations sign up for updates to my blog as I am going to be doing a deep dive into this topic.  I believe thousands upon thousands of women are needlessly suffering throughout their life cycle and it makes my heart ache for these women and their families - My Beloved calls it a Crime Against Women.  We as women need to take action - the first step is advocating for yourself, the second step is reaching out to help others, the third is to speak out.

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