I am 34 years old and was given a hormone panel test. The results show that I have very low progesterone and low testosterone. My estrogen is fine. I have been feeling dizzy, extremely tired, I have foggy thinking, and have anxiety( which I have never had in my life). Lately I have been having an extremely anxious feeling like I want to run a marathon and I feel like my heart is going to jump out of my chest. I have been on hormone cream prescribed by my doctor for 2 months. I am not feeling any better. I am so frustrated. Can anyone help me? Are these typical symptoms of hormone imbalance?

Dear Denball:

No, you're not going crazy. I'm concerned, though, that this cream you're using is ProGest since you're not deficint in estrogen but, rather, progesterone. I've used that cream, also, and I'm definitely heading towards menopause since I'm 49 yrs. old. I feel so tired, sickly and lethargic when I use this cream! Once I stopped, I might have sleepless nights, but I only wake up more tired; not exhausted and fatigued like I do when I use this cream. I'd stop the cream and just try to duke it out at your age, especially.

I have found that exercise and diet help me tremendously. Also, please try to avoid the menopausal "trigger" foods such as fried foods, caffeine, alcohol and sugar (especially chocolate!). Even in moderation, these foods can send me spinning out of control emotionally and psychologically. Strangely enough, and for some unknown reason - these are the very foods we seem to crave the most during this "change of life" time. A bland diet is best and actually will keep your energy level intact and mood swings at a minimium. Try and eat sweet potatos which are loaded with the natural "hormones" which help to stablize our bodies during this difficult time. I have found that if I can take at least one brutal cardio class a week (wherein I'm drenched in sweat) coupled with weight resistence training and yoga on the other days, I find I feel more stablized, have more energy and less mood swings.

What I don't want to do is rely upon hormone replacement therapy just yet. Every single woman I know who goes that route, replaces menopausal symptoms with excessive weight gain! For me, that's just not a trade off I'm willing to make just yet!

I hope you find this advice helpful - give it a try!

Been there and done that! ;-) Get back with your doctor. Expect her/him to have to adjust your dose at least a half dozen times until you feel right. For HRT to work right you really have to give detailed feedback. I suggest you start a hormone diary and share it with your doctor... Hang in there! Its great once its right!