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It’s about to get personal ladies.  I’ve gone back and forth about sharing this, but it plays a significant role in my effort to improve my health and wellness and it impacts my life on several levels: physical, emotional, mental and relational.  I’ve been open about everything else and I remind myself that there are probably a lot of women out there who are experiencing similar issues or challenges.  So here goes.  I hope this helps someone else.

It’s not polite to spit, but that’s what I’m doing today.  I’m spitting, four times a day, into little colored vials.  Why?  Because my hormones have gone haywire.  Since the birth of my now 19 month old and the lifestyle changes we’ve made I feel like I’ve gotten back to a healthier, stronger version of my old self.  But no matter how many positives changes I make I seem to be stuck in one area.  I’ll spare you the details, but let’s just say intimacy is not what it used to be in my marriage.  Honestly, in my heart and in my mind I want it to be different, but my body just won’t cooperate.  I’ve taken it up with my counselor and my doctor and after much reflecting and discussion of the issue we’ve determined that it is most likely a physical issue.  It’s not that I don’t love my husband, it’s not that I don’t find him attractive, but after nearly a year of looking at the symptoms and trying various solutions we suspect that the issue is my hormones and I’m not alone.  It’s estimated that 30-40 million women suffer from low-libido in the United States (From NBT Research). 

Our hormones all work together to create an environment of balance.  An imbalance of one can impact all of them.  Many believe that hormone imbalances are something we experience during menopause.  While that can be true, that’s not the only time imbalances can take place.  Pregnancy and birth as well as other changes in your life or health can trigger hormone imbalances.  Here are some signs and symptoms that you might have a hormone imbalance.

• low libido
• depression or anxiety
• irritability
• fatigue
• difficulty concentrating or multi-tasking
• weight gain
• thinning hair

If you experience any of these symptoms ask your doctor about saliva hormone testing.  It’s pretty easy, less expensive than blood tests and I’m told more accurate.  If you live in Tennessee I will happily refer you to Dr. Jana Joshu or Brooke Fought, MSN, WHNP-BC with the WISH clinic. 

The main issue I’m experiencing is low libido, but I’ve have struggled with anxiety in the recent past, which is what originally led me on my pursuit of total wellness.  My husband also says I’ve lost the ability to multi-task.  I’m not sure if that one is attributed to hormones or just the fact that my mind is pulled in 75 directions thanks to my job, two children and numerous other responsibilities.  Ok, I’ll admit…I can also be a little irritable.  Wow!  I sound like fun to be around don’t I?  But seriously.  I want to be the healthiest person I can be so I’m spitting in these vials today and sending them off to have my saliva hormone testing done.  In about two weeks I will get the results and if there is an imbalance I will also receive a plan for re-balancing. 

I’ll share the results once they’re in.  In the meantime, if anyone out there has had a similar experience I’d love to hear your thoughts, concerns, solutions, feedback or just words of encouragement.