Brava! The lack of studies is woeful and means GPs who are struggling with a chasm of knowledge on many female issues. Unfortunately the changes keep kicking us in the ovaries - when I hit 30 they ramped up another level. I struggled to conceive for 4 years and only when operated on did they find fibroids and endo - with a huge section of my bowel attached to my uterus. 40 brought about more issues and thankfully through talking a lot more with friends and colleagues, I'm a little more prepared for what might be in store. However, the anecdotal doesn't translate into medical action so many menstruating people will be struggling on blinkered by the absence of tests, research and 'real' intelligence on the topic.
It doesn't stop there. I didn't go into menopause until I was in my mid-50's, and when it hit, all hell broke loose. The first doctor I saw thought I had cancer and recommended that I have a full hysterectomy. Luckily, my surgery-phobic husband suggested I get another opinion. Basically, many tests, doctor visits and thousands of dollars later, they figured out that my problem was a combination of ovarian cysts and endometriosis: My (FEMALE!) GYN explained that the sudden drop in estrogen put my whole body in a tizzy. Seven years later, everything's settled down - a few hot flashes now and then, but pretty much okay.... and no more periods! Thank goodness I didn't let the first doctor proceed with the operation!
I did not know that "sanitary" products were not tested with actual blood - that explains the embarrassing leaks of years past. 😡 More research is neccessary... our reproductive system is tied up with all the other organs on our bodies, so doctors can't really treat women competently unless they take that into account. Thank you for another thought provoking article!
“It shouldn’t only become something worth studying when it affects fertility.” LOUDER FOR THE PEOPLE IN THE BACK!! 📣📣📣
Brava! The lack of studies is woeful and means GPs who are struggling with a chasm of knowledge on many female issues. Unfortunately the changes keep kicking us in the ovaries - when I hit 30 they ramped up another level. I struggled to conceive for 4 years and only when operated on did they find fibroids and endo - with a huge section of my bowel attached to my uterus. 40 brought about more issues and thankfully through talking a lot more with friends and colleagues, I'm a little more prepared for what might be in store. However, the anecdotal doesn't translate into medical action so many menstruating people will be struggling on blinkered by the absence of tests, research and 'real' intelligence on the topic.
It doesn't stop there. I didn't go into menopause until I was in my mid-50's, and when it hit, all hell broke loose. The first doctor I saw thought I had cancer and recommended that I have a full hysterectomy. Luckily, my surgery-phobic husband suggested I get another opinion. Basically, many tests, doctor visits and thousands of dollars later, they figured out that my problem was a combination of ovarian cysts and endometriosis: My (FEMALE!) GYN explained that the sudden drop in estrogen put my whole body in a tizzy. Seven years later, everything's settled down - a few hot flashes now and then, but pretty much okay.... and no more periods! Thank goodness I didn't let the first doctor proceed with the operation!
Estrogen does a lot more than help us with reproduction: "In addition to regulating the menstrual cycle, estrogen affects the reproductive tract, the urinary tract, the heart and blood vessels, bones, breasts, skin, hair, mucous membranes, pelvic muscles, and the brain." (https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/estrogens-effects-on-the-female-body#:~:text=In%20addition%20to%20regulating%20the,pelvic%20muscles%2C%20and%20the%20brain.) Its partner in crime, progesterone, is also involved in "...the cardiovascular system, the central nervous system, and bones." (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8538361/#:~:text=Thus%2C%20it%20is%20commonly%20known,%2C%20and%20bones%20%5B1%5D.)
I did not know that "sanitary" products were not tested with actual blood - that explains the embarrassing leaks of years past. 😡 More research is neccessary... our reproductive system is tied up with all the other organs on our bodies, so doctors can't really treat women competently unless they take that into account. Thank you for another thought provoking article!