Hello!
I just found out that today, April 24th, is World Hormone Day! It is already getting late into the evening here in Aotearoa NZ. But better late than never.
I recorded a last minute video to share with you, where I talk about my hormone replacement therapy (HRT) regimen. There is no attempt to persuade you to try it (although vaginal Ovestin cream is the best!), but more of a run through of my regimen, and I share tips I have picked up to make application and absorption as unmessy and icky as possible.
My professional background is in teaching/education and not medicine, so please don’t take anything I say as medical advice. I see my role as peer support and advocacy. Please see your doctor about HRT and midlife healthcare.
This video isn’t scripted so I hope it all makes sense. It was getting late here, and I am in a depressive spiral for some reason. Therefore I copied and pasted the video transcript into Claude.ai to create an easy read timestamped description for accessibility. It was so dull that I asked Claude to make it fun. It didn’t disappoint! I am sharing it below (in the block text) if the video/audio aren’t your preferred way of accessing/processing information.
There are closed captions on the video and also a verbatim transcript. Please forgive the “ums” and “ahs”, my ADHD meds were wearing off and I was staving off a medication rebound.
Isn’t neurodivergent midlife fun?! *sarcasm*
Fun & Quirky Video Guide: Sam's Hormone Adventure! 🎢
The Opening Act 🎭
0:00-0:14 - Meet our hero Sam Galloway from "The Autistic Perimenopause: A Temporary Regression" 0:15-0:24 - It's World Hormone Day! 🎉 (April 24th) Cue the confetti!
The Estrogel Experience 💪
0:25-0:54 - Say hello to Estrogel, Sam's estradiol buddy! 0:55-1:18 - Cool trick alert! 🧙♀️ Pumping onto the lid for sensory-friendly application 1:19-2:04 - The arm dance! 💃 Shoulder-to-wrist application technique 2:05-2:28 - Don't rub it all in! And keep it away from co-sleeping kiddos (no accidental hormone sharing!)
Testosterone Time ⚡
2:29-3:06 - Meet Testogel: possibly a neurodivergent's best friend! 3:07-3:37 - The quarter pump challenge 🎯 (precision matters!) 3:38-3:57 - Outer thigh gets the goods (buttocks are also an option!) 3:58-4:25 - The 5-minute waiting game before pants come into play
Patch Party 🎪
4:26-4:48 - Introducing the lifesaving patches! (Literally - "better than suicidal ideation") 4:49-5:32 - Math time! 25 + 75 = 100 (because 100s aren't available anymore) 5:33-6:16 - What's in the mystery packet? A much smaller patch than you'd expect! 6:17-7:16 - The Great Patch Direction Debate 🧭 Length-wise wins to prevent splitting! 7:17-8:12 - Warm it up! Press it down! Air bubbles are the enemy!
Progesterone Parade 🎪
8:13-9:56 - Utrogestan enters the chat (AKA: the one Sam struggles with) 9:57-10:55 - For some lucky folks: sleep, calm, and happiness! (Not for Sam though 😅) 10:56-12:04 - Tiny capsules with options! Oral, vaginal, or... elsewhere? 🤫 12:05-12:48 - Cancer prevention > side effects (but removal is the dream!)
Cream Dream Team 🌈
12:49-13:22 - The grand finale: Ovestin cream! ("You need this, guys!") 13:23-14:01 - Topical means local! Less problems in places it doesn't need to be 14:02-14:46 - The schedule: nightly for a few weeks, then twice-weekly maintenance 14:47-15:19 - Surprise family interruptions! 😂 Quick goodbye as real life happens!
Bonus Round 🏆
Throughout - Random husband and child cameos! Keeping it real!
Entire Video - Zero filter, 100% authentic hormone talk!
Claude.ai has hyped me right up, ha ha! ChatGPT, eat your heart out.
Right, I’d better go. I need to shower and apply all the gels, patches and pop all the pills.
I hope your hormones are being kind to you today!
Cheers,
Share this post