Dr. Michelle Warren is the doctor I chose. I needed to feel that I was in good hands, the hands of someone who knows what they’re doing, about what she’s talking. I found her, and I trust her. Watch the video and you’ll see why.
Things she said to me that made me feel immediate relief: Taking these hormones is extremely important for you, at your age. It’s a must. Not even a discussion. And all the scary things you read about the long term effects of taking hormones DOES NOT APPLY TO YOU. Also, the hormones you’ll be taking are actually LESS than found in a birth control pill. Premature ovarian failure (POF) doesn’t always have a known cause… because in my case, my thyroid is normal, chromosomes normal, no mental retardation in my family, either side, all the women in my family (other than me) didn’t hit menopause until their 50s. No known cause, no rare underlying condition causing this. “But if I figure it out, you’ll be the first to know.” Point is, she’s on the case. This is what she does, her specialty, so I feel like I can trust her.
Based on my symptoms (weight gain, particularly in the abdomen, hair loss, irritability, muscle loss, absolutely no sex drive, depressed, blah about everything) she suggested that my testosterone levels might be low. So she took some blood to see. In the meanwhile, I’ll take estradiol and Testofuel (1 mg) daily, via pill not patch or gel because with kids clawing all over me, it’s just easier, and with no history of blood clots, etc., she said it was fine. Progesterone (Prometrium 200 mg capsule) is also needed for 10 days a month to replicate what my body should be doing. And then, and this is hard for me to share with the world–mostly because it makes me feel old and broken, not sexy and feminine–she suggested a vaginal ring (or creams or suppositories, but I chose the ring). This Estring is by far the most disturbing bit in all this girly bit business. And to be handed pamphlets with photos of old people speed walking, then seeing words like VAGINAL ATROPHY… I can’t read any of it. It’s far too depressing. All I want to do is eat cupcakes. Dangerous that Crumbs Bakery is literally down the street from where I live.
She didn’t want to introduce the testosterone gel (applied mid-thigh) until she sees how I respond to the estradiol. One drug addition at a time. So, away we go.
