Davina McCall, HRT & Cancer
It's been a big week for menopause health.
You may have seen Davina McCall, who advocated HRT and put conversations about menopause back on the agenda, has sadly been diagnosed with breast cancer.
And so the tribes are out.
The press immediately highlighted the association with HRT to stir the pot.
Yet the FDA has just removed its warnings on HRT declaring it safe in line with updated research.
The comments boxes are filling up.
The judgments are coming thick and fast.
I've seen...
"HRT!! You should have tried the natural route?"
"What about ashwagandha, collagen, ice baths and St John's Wort ..."
Comparing supplements and HRT is like comparing apples and bananas.
There's also an assumption that an individual has the luxury and privilege of time, financial resources, access to knowledge and the energy to make symptom management a full time job.
That said, I'm also seeing women take HRT and continue to direct all their renewed energy into working excessively hard for everyone else.
They still neglect themselves, deeper issues and continue a struggle with low self worth.
Not ideal either.
Davina McCall clearly eats well, exercises daily, takes supplements and has a job she seems to love.
But full disclosure, I was actually more worried about her never stopping. I had no idea how she was doing it all and was hoping she would rest a little more at some point.
This situation isn't just about HRT either.
Davina has been bravely honest and open about her childhood trauma and drug/alcohol abuse in the past.
Research shows that Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE's) and substance abuse all increase the risk of any chronic illness in later life.
A difficult past leads us to constantly seek safety in the present and future.
That's what the busyness is often really about.
In my humble opinion this is one of the most misunderstood truths troubling society today.
Pausing to consider the 'why' behind the scenes isn't happening.
Excess of anything is common - work, booze, exercise, overeating, undereating, weed, affairs, muscle mass, smoking, six packs, academic achievements, qualifications, ice baths, orthorexia and more.
One of our greatest mistakes is levelling judgement at this which keeps the guilt and shame cycle repeating and reinforcing everything.
We could waste a lot of time arguing or simply work towards some universal agreements on what's most helpful now... despite what happened before.
What is needed to help a woman get to a point of stability and begin resourcing and valuing herself?
I've personally found (and seen with clients) immense value in emotional processing at this life stage.
It helped create a sense of safety in my body again.
It changed how I approached symptoms too - reducing the fear and anxiety.
It also returned compassion to myself.
This led to...
🎤 Finding my voice again and asking for help
🌲 Allowing myself rest and more time in nature
👣 Slowing down and sticking to gentle exercising
🥰 Accepting how my body was changing
🥗 Wanting to resource myself rather than comfort eat
⛔ Boundaries returning and joy without the crutch
It's helping to fade out the 'shoulding,' achieving, body image pressures and more.
As for HRT...
The minimal effective dose for the shortest amount of time to keep you stable enough to look after yourself is a good starting point.
I caution everyone on using any tools (medication, exercise, supplements, ice baths, etc.) to constantly give yourself more energy and capacity than the human body has.
Your mind would love to keep you striving and doing as if you were twenty years younger but we must always honour and respect that the body knows best.
If you're taking HRT and have any concerns I recommend the brilliant professionals at Spiced Pear Health who have a holistic approach.
They can help you do a risk versus benefit analysis and ensure you're on the lowest, effective dose.
Happy to answer any questions if you need more help and support on this.
If you’re struggling with brain fog, mood, sleep or the emotional ups and downs of menopause, these are exactly the areas we support inside The Mindful Body Method.
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