In-Focus | Published October 30, 2023
BIRMINGHAM — Hormone replacement therapy can change your life. Just ask Dr. Rona Wadle, whose practice, RenewMyWellness, in Birmingham, has been helping women with symptoms of depression, anxiety, mood swings, weight gain, insomnia and fatigue related to menopause.
Menopause results in a decline in reproductive hormones that causes symptoms that can be very debilitating. Unfortunately, many primary care physicians don’t prescribe the proper treatment because they don’t recognize the underlying cause. Often women are prescribed psychotropics such as anti-depressants or anti-anxiety medications when the real issue is menopause.
In my experience, I developed symptoms of debilitating fatigue, depression and progressive weight gain. While my PCP was supportive, I was advised to reduce my stress, work less, exercise more and eat better. Really?? Although not meant to be insulting that’s exactly what those suggestions were.
I was tired of being judged. I was tired of being told it was something I was doing or not doing. I was working out I was eating healthy but nothing was changing. I knew my symptoms were real and not “in my head”.
So I got busy and started researching my symptoms on my own only to discover that my symptoms were related to menopause. I am a physician and I was consulting with other physicians and believe it or not I did not consider nor did they ever suggest menopause as being a possible culprit.
It was then a challenge to find a provider who was comfortable with HRT. Most mistakenly equated hormones with cancer. Not true. I was developing hypercholesterolemia and borderline HTN becoming obese and struggling to get out of bed every morning. Providers were resistant to HRT but not anti-hypertensives, cholesterol medications, anti-depressants, pain medications or sleeping pills. Why?? Simple… poor studies with regard to HRT in the past and no adequate training or education on women’s health and menopause. Also the sad but true stereotype that middle age women just have to deal with it…it’s a part of aging…we aren’t sexual beings after a certain age.
Fortunately, I found a physician who heard me. I started HRT and it changed my life. This led to me creating Renew My Wellness. You don’t have to suffer in silence. Call today to schedule a consultation (248) 602-3177. RenewMyWellness is located at 33466 Woodward Ave. in Birmingham.