The Revival Tour 2025
Featuring Post-Menopause, Lost Libidos, and The Hormones
As a woman who’s reached a new milestone in her life, I stepped into this post-menopausal chapter with steadfast resolve. I wanted to know more about what was going on with my body to navigate through the all the changes. A tremendous help has been reading insights from other women sharing their experience. Although we may be taking the same journey, we’re not encountering the exact same twists and turns along the way.
It’s encouraging to see more dedicated research and spirited discussions surrounding menopause today—a far cry from the meager information our moms and grandmothers had to go on. And this isn’t just a women’s issue because men have a part to play, too. Their understanding of menopause helps them connect with and support the amazing women in their lives.
My menopause experience wasn’t without its trials and tribulations, however recently, there has been a drastic change that warrants sharing.
I got on board with Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT).
Before I share my experience, it’s important to understand hormone replacement therapy is the road I traveled. It isn’t for everyone and the decision should be made with a lot of forethought. There needs to be conversations with your healthcare provider because you should always know exactly what you put in or on your body. I do this with the foods I eat and the products I use, so I most certainly did a thorough investigation into BHRT.
First, I’ll share two terms I’ve learned: hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and hormone imbalance therapy. HRT is about replacing hormones that are low or missing, like estrogen or progesterone, during perimenopause or post-menopause. The goal is to restore hormonal balance. It comes in a variety of ways, such as pills, creams, patches, and vaginal suppositories.
Hormone imbalance therapy is a wider net—it includes any treatment aimed at fixing hormonal fluctuations. Beyond HRT’s focus on replacement, it brings in lifestyle changes, diet shifts, or other medical options to keep things steady. While HRT zeroes in on what’s missing, this broader approach is about finding balance in a variety of ways.
I was really surprised to learn that early forms of estrogen therapy dates back to the early 1900s. By the 1940s, a company called Wyeth (now part of Pfizer) was extracting estrogen from animal sources—like urine from pregnant horses—to ease menopause symptoms. The conjugated formula of ten estrogens, called Premarin, is a derivative of “pregnant mares’ urine.” (How clever.) By the ‘60s and ‘70s, HRT had taken off and people started seeing menopause as something treatable, not just a phase to endure.
Premarin remains available today, though it now benefits from improved purification processes. (Thankfully.) Traditional HRT typically uses synthetic or animal-derived hormones, while bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) offers a more holistic approach by using hormones that match what our bodies naturally produce. BHRT is derived from plant molecules like yams and soy. In both cases, your healthcare provider customizes the treatment to your individual needs. This is a far cry from the one-size-fits-all doses used in the early days.
I’ve chronicled my menopause saga before, sharing how I was rather depressed, zero motivation, had insomnia, and no sex drive. My husband has always been attentive, checking in and making sure I was feeling okay. We would take time out to sit down and discuss what I was going through regularly. He also expressed concern about our sex life, or lack thereof. It was challenging for him to process the changes in me, and he did his best to be sympathetic.
I couldn’t wrap my head around it: my husband, the sexiest man alive, wasn’t igniting flames in my nether-regions. Well, at least not without his having to initiate intimacy. A healthy sex life isn’t a one-man-show. It’s a duo act, and the conversations about it were making me feel worse. I thought I could manipulate my mind into feeling frisky by reading articles, research studies, and various books. Although the insight helped, specifically the mindfulness techniques, it was always short-lived. I feigned enthusiasm for sex and as anyone can tell you, phoning it in isn’t hot. Still, I pushed to keep that part of our marriage intact.
It took a chat with my mom to kick things into gear, just days after I hit fifty-four last November. She asked about my hormone situation and how I was holding up. My reply? “Meh.” Over the past couple of years, we’d dissected my post-menopause woes—depression, insomnia, and even my absent libido. She’s my safe space, always at the ready to listen, even when I tend to overshare—respectfully, of course. For the record, I’ve never wanted to her to be just as open about her sex life given it’s with my father.
“You can stop right there, momma bear. I don’t need to know. Ever.”
She finds it hilarious to make things weird for me. Anyway, I shared my interest in BHRT. Coincidentally, a friend of mine had recently received her first dose of hormones and it was going really well. She was already feeling more energetic within two weeks and had less brain fog clouding her day.
While still on the call a few minutes later, and without any discussions about the BHRT cost, she dropped money in my account. I was floored and immediately declined her generosity. Then, my mom simply said,
“No, you will take the money and you will make the appointment today.”
So yes, my mom bankrolled her middle-aged daughter’s hormone fix.
Two hours later, she called again to check my progress. Fortunately for me, the appointment was made. The next week I met with Sandy, a RN who is certified to provide Biote® bioidentical hormones. I’ve been seeing her for years and have developed a valued trust in her. She walked me through the procedure, and scheduled me to have bloodwork done—a complete hormone panel. This was the first step to see what areas I needed help with hormonally.
Two big players in the hormone game are estrogen and testosterone. Think of them as the hormonal MVPs. Bear with me while I throw out some statistics to give you a general idea of what our post menopause hormones are up to.
For postmenopausal women, estrogen levels—specifically estradiol—drops significantly compared to reproductive years. Generally, estradiol settles into a range of about 10 to 20 pg/mL. For comparison, the premenopausal levels vary from 30 to 400 pg/mL, depending on a woman’s menstruation.
Testosterone dips too, but not the same free-fall since the ovaries and adrenals keep churning out small amounts. Total testosterone typically lands between 15 and 70 ng/dL. However, before menopause, women might see total testosterone around 20 to 75 ng/dL. So again, not a cliff dive like estrogen, but still a noticeable slide.
Then there’s me: bloodwork showed my estradiol at a measly <5.0 pg/mL and testosterone at 17 ng/dL. My estrogen drought was the cause of my hot flashes, weight gain, mood swings, vaginal dryness—plus a laundry list of other issues. The low testosterone was the reason my libido ghosted me, depression moved in, and my lack of energy.
I needed bioidentical hormones for both estrogen and testosterone, plus a progesterone boost to round out the trio. Although our adrenal glands continue to produce small amounts of progesterone after menopause, the job originally belonged to the ovaries after ovulation—in way higher levels. When estrogen is given without progesterone, the growth of the uterine lining is stimulated. Over time, a risk of endometrial cancer is higher. Progesterone counteracts this effect by promoting the shedding of the uterine lining.
I went with the pellet version of BHRT, though creams, gels, and patches are also available. These subcutaneous pellets—often called rice-grain-sized—strike me more as chunky spaghetti bits. They are inserted under the skin and dissolve over time. Mine were placed in my upper-left buttock via a quick incision. I braced myself that day, expecting more discomfort, but it was a breeze. It was only a tiny pinch from the numbing needle, no stitches, just a little bandage to call it a day.
I recall asking Sandy how I could expect to feel once everything started working. She jokingly laughed and said, “You’re going to feel like a 30-year old!”
I’ll take it!
My instructions were no soaking in the tub, no swimming, and no strenuous exercise for the next three days. The effects for many may be felt immediately, while others may take up to two or more pellet insertions.
“The pellets last up to three to six months depending on gender, weight, absorption rates, and the amount of deficiency or surplus of hormones present within the patient at the time of insertion… As each patient’s symptoms are unique, so is each patient’s path to hormone optimization.”
Biote® FAQs
For me, within two weeks I was sleeping better, felt more energetic, and the bonus was my libido. I forgot what it was like to feel thoroughly stimulated on my own. The triggers for feeling amorous were as simple as my husband walking by, or talking about the downfall of Rome, or sometimes, even a drive by the fire station. I’m not kidding! When my husband jokingly asked if I want to be dropped off with the firemen, I pretended not to think about it.
It’s been wonderful for me and the only real adjustment has been for my husband. For the past few years, he was accustomed to my lack of sexual interest. I’m pretty sure we’ve switched places and now he does his level best to keep up.
Although sex isn’t the main reason for BHRT, it has certainly helped. My body has also changed these past three months. It isn’t so much a weight loss, however I do feel more slender. My clothes are fitting better and I don’t think it was solely because of losing six pounds. The consistent feeling of bloatedness has disappeared. And, my mood has drastically changed. I feel more motivated to be productive.
I even ventured to the salon for a drastic change. The stylist cut my hair short and brought it back to life with highlights. With the frustration of my thinning, lifeless hair, I hadn’t been to a salon in two years. Treating myself improved my self-confidence immensely.
Essentially, it has become easier to look in the mirror and appreciate what was always there—a postmenopausal woman who has every reason to believe in herself. Could it be part placebo effect? Doubtful, but maintaining any semblance of feeling good consistently was challenging before BHRT. There have also been obvious cognitive changes in how I approach my day. Now, it’s with a great deal of optimism, energy, and a clear mind.
Oddly enough, aside from my friend getting BHRT about three weeks ahead of me, I learned a cousin has been getting hormone pellets this past year. It became a topic of discussion with other family members who are now set to make their appointments. My mom still makes my hormone journey part of our conversations. Aside from sharing how great I’m feeling, I’ve found clever ways to highlight how well my libido is functioning—without any details, of course.
It bears repeating that given our bodies are different, BHRT results might differ as well. This may not be the route for everyone, but it’s definitely worth looking into.
Keep scrolling if you’re curious about the nightly journal I started the day those pellets went in—I was determined to track every potential shift like a hormonal detective. Think of it as the unfiltered side of my BHRT journey. I’ve trimmed the original entries down from novel-length to spare you the full chaos of my random thoughts.
I did, however, keep some of the humor intact because I’d like to think I’m funny.
Leave a comment if you have any questions about my experience or would like to share your story.
If you found this article educational and/or entertaining, be sure click the ♥️ and follow us on social media! This article is free to the public, so feel free to share.
Day 1:
Today was the day. Although I was fearing the pain involved, I wasn’t as nervous when the time came. There was no pain, at all. I also got a prescription for progesterone. In 4 to 6 weeks, I’ll do another hormone panel to see how my levels are doing. The after affects at the moment are soreness in the insertion area, kind of like a bruise when you press on it. I’m curious to see how my weight will be affected. I’m currently at 152.4 and will continue with my daily exercise regiment, along with eating healthy.
Day 2:
The second day has been no different from the first. The insertion area feels more sore than last night. I keep imagining I’ll see hormone pellets falling out, but that’s unlikely. Only my ignorance knows for sure. I won’t pick up my progesterone until next week, but I learned it is also bioidential, which is supposed to be better for me than synthetic. [My husband] remains optimistic about my libido. I’m hoping my mindset will allow for the continual sex jokes. I remain at 152.4 [pounds].
Day 3:
Today was a lazy day overall and I got to finally change the bandage. I kept having thoughts it was infected somehow. I let [my husband] handle the task given it’s on my butt. He removed all the bandages, even the steri-strip that was supposed to be on for 5 to 7 days. I guess I should have told him that part. It actually made him queasy looking at the incision. It surprised both of us since he has a history of watching surgery videos. He’s even witnessed a guy slicing is abdomen open and had to intervene to help. And this makes him feel sick? He just used a small bandaid and ensured it was tight. Although the pain has lessened, it did begin to hurt after our walk. Weight is 151.8
Day 4:
I felt great today. The only sensation was a slight cramping. The kind you feel during menstruation. There was a sense of energy this morning, but as usual, it doesn’t last. I do feel there is a need to go do something, anything. I picked up my prescription of progesterone and surprisingly thyroid meds. I was under the impression that was part of the [pellet] insertion. The progesterone is to be taken before bed. It feels like I took a sleeping pill and I’m definitely drowsy. There’s no significant changes I am feeling so far. Weight 152.8.
Day 5:
It’s Christmas Eve. We drove [two hours north] today. As far has how I feel, nothing has obviously changed. I don’t feel in the mood to write at the moment. I had a three White Claws, which I never thought I’d do. [I dislike them immensely.] I went to the bathroom earlier and saw my butt bandaid floating in the toilet. So there’s that. I changed it last night after my shower. The progesterone has proven to be like a sedative. I’m too tired to write more.
Day 6:
Seems the day's events of Christmas and family allowed me to forget what I wrote in last night’s journal entry. The progesterone continues to make me feel tired. Tonight isn’t so bad where I can’t keep my eyes open. The incision area pain is no longer an issue. It still feels a slight sting, if that’s the right word, when it’s pressed. Although my mood has been great, there hasn’t been any clear sign of a libido. My weight has gone up, but mostly because of all the holiday food. Today it is 155.2.
Day 7:
Today was a great day overall when it relates to my mood and how my body feels. I was down a pound from yesterday at 154.8. I’m waking up around 5 am, which seems normal lately. I’m [also] waking up at various intervals throughout the night. I think it’s because of my dreams. I was given bad news yesterday, which has affected me emotionally. I did try out my sexual prowess. [My husband] and I had sex twice within a few hours this evening. Not only did I [climax] easily, I was aroused quickly. It was thrilling for both of us.
Day 8:
We didn’t leave the house today and that wasn’t a bad thing. I’ve had that tingling sensation in the nether-regions a couple of times today. It was really good to feel that way again. The memorable time was watching as [my husband] was talking and simply walking around the room. The brain fog I know I’ve experienced is interesting. I honestly don’t know if I’m any different. I don’t feel a sense of motivation that I was hoping for. I have a lot of ideas for writing but don’t feel like it. The progesterone didn’t make me feel too drowsy last night. Weight 153.4
Day 17:
It’s been a productive day. Things were done early since I was out of bed by 6 a.m, although I’m waking up constantly around 5 a.m. Its been continually easy to fall asleep and sleep restfully. Although my libido isn’t proactive, its responsive. I swear sometimes my who-ha starts tingling randomly. Perhaps my subconscious is horny? Been doing our daily 30-minute power walks. I don’t feel as run down as I used to feel. It’s almost as if I don’t have a thing to complain about, or what bothered me before now doesn’t. I also have a sense of being less tolerant with some normal things. Perhaps emotions are still calibrating. I’m just having way more good days now. Weight 152.8
Day 63:
It’s been officially two months since getting the pellets. It’s safe to say they work for me—very well. Aside from the mental clarity, I seem to have, there isn’t anything that indicates my hormones help with memory. I still feel like I forget constantly. I’m working on various exercises to help, kind of like associations to trigger things I need to remember. Other aspects of feeling down, or simply depressed, have dissipated completely. If anything, I’m more patient with myself. As far as libido, that seems to be in overdrive—in a good way. I’m truly appreciating the feeling. Weight 149
Day 72:
The pellet journey continues to be a positive one overall. I’ve felt truly more at ease with myself on a daily basis. I’ve also enjoyed the boost in libido, in fact, I almost feel disappointed when sex doesn’t happen. It’s been a source of contention on my part, however it’s understandable that he wasn’t prepared to go from 0 to 60 with my sex drive. When he slightly opens the [sex] door, I walk right in wholeheartedly. One thing he’s enjoyed are my constant sexual innuendos. I even asked him, while waiting in line at an art supply store if he wanted to fuck. Although I wasn’t kidding, his laughter and surprise was fantastic. Weight 148.6
Sorry to say this is the end of my journal entries. I will work on my discipline, however I’ve been going strong with other aspects of my life. All I can say is that I’m going to continue with BHRT for as long as possible. This has been a fabulous journey so far.