Comments on: Is it Hormones or is it Me?

By: Louise Goldstein

Louise Goldstein — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 13:56:42 +0000

Carine, I wonder how you found my present day picture taken so long ago as a ballerina, in my last life,
I never took hormones and so life for the last decade has been high and low. Thanks for the tip, I’ll have to ask about it.

By: "sadhvi sez..."

"sadhvi sez..." — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 00:42:33 +0000

carine,

i really got a chuckle out of your article.

i truly feel that there are more than hormonic reasons for being bitchy…a LOT of them these days.

i question myself at times because of how i react to things that even mother theresa herself would bitch at.

your article made me feel ok again.

thanks.

By: carine

carine — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 00:00:43 +0000

To Iris:

My point was exactly that: I’m NOT a victim of hormone fluctuations, and that’s because I’m on those fabulous bioidentical hormones (you should’ve seen me without them!). I was correct in not changing the formula because I was feeling great before that little bout of bad mood, and since. Sometimes, a bad mood is just a bad mood. As for men and their hormones, I pray someone will start doing studies on them soon!

By: Debra Stokes

Debra Stokes — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 17:31:40 +0000

Pardon the pun, but I think you’re on point with this observation. It cannot ALWAYS be hormones!!!!! The idea that we can blame something/someone else for things (for which we should take responsibility) – just had to take the time to use proper grammar – is so “now”. Thanks for the thought.

By: Conz

Conz — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 16:18:15 +0000

Hey Carine–there’s plenty to make a person feel bitchy in our society, and being married is difficult work sometimes. And hormones are fuel to the fire. Maybe all of it is adding to your righteous voice.

I just wish that those thighs in the picture above were considered the beauty standard, and then maybe I’d feel less bitchy.

By: christie

christie — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 16:00:44 +0000

Wonderful thought-provoking piece, Carine, and equally interesting and helpful comments. I have put my moods down to a diminished ability to suffer fools gladly. But that feels wrong because it lacks compassion and hints at my own insecurities. Reaching this age in my life, I find that I can draw upon lots of experience to recognize the things that are likely to upset me before they actually upset me. I also find that a smile goes a long way. Going to work the other morning I passed the gospel singer who serenades us in Skyway (a gerbil-type tube tracking through the downtown area that keeps Minnesotas sane in minus temperatures). He does not ask for money he just sings and as I a looked a him he said “Mornin’ girl, dont let anyone take away your joy today.” Good advice.

By: Iris

Iris — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 15:34:19 +0000

Personally, I’m tired of blaming my inability to control mood swings and irritability on turpitude. We, BOTH women and men, are our biology. That is not to say that we shouldn’t strive to overcome our hormonal changes or other physical challenges, which nearly everyone has to some degree at various times in our lives, but let’s stop beating ourselves (and one another) up for fluctuations in our bodily functions of which we may have only limited control.

Your last statement about wondering whether good moods are also a lie (assuming one is “taking something” to stabilize moods) is a question I’ve grappled with myself for many years. But if you changed your diet, or took a vacation on a tropical beach and you were suddenly in a better mood, would you consider that a lie, too? Our moods are the result of many things. Hormones are a HUGE part of that…I watched while my child underwent endocrine tests years ago through administering various hormones intravenously. He was only 9 years old, and he wasn’t faking anything. The medical technician warned me I might be unnerved by his reactions to each hormone. I saw him literally go from smiling to crying hysterically and back to laughing in a matter of seconds! If your bioidentical hormone cocktail is making you irritable, what are you trying to prove by not getting it adjusted? All medications have to be fine tuned to the individual. Why be a victim of hormone fluctuations if you don’t have to?

As for the state of the economy, that’s another issue entirely. If you are feeling “better,” you’ll be better able to look at that with a fresh perspective, as well.

And one final question, since I’ve been a feminist all my life: What makes you think your husband doesn’t have some physiological reason for being cranky? As for male hormones, don’t get me started on that one!