In the first article of this series, I only shared a fraction of the hormonal terror that was my teenage experience. Back then, the people around me just blamed it on the fact that I was going through puberty. And sure, maybe some of my rebelliousness came naturally. However, what happened 10 years later, when I stopped using the pill, made it very clear that my behavior during my teenage years wasn’t just due to being a silly teenager.
By that time, I was living with my (now ex) boyfriend. During that period, my mood swings and outbursts went through the roof (again). One moment I was happy, the next I was mad at him for changing his profile picture on Facebook. (Can you imagine?!) And only moments after that, I was confused and crying, not knowing why the eff I was acting that way. I felt like I was losing my mind. And my boyfriend, that poor poor guy… believe me, he suffered too.
One day, a friend suggested that my crazy behavior might be due to the pill, because of the hormones. I remember thinking, ‘Really? All of this terror and bullshit because of such a tiny pill?’ That’s when I started my own research, as my doctor couldn’t confirm that these could be side effects of the pill.
I found stories from other women who had experienced similar issues, and many said their problems vanished when they switched to a hormonal IUD, like Mirena. Of course, this sounded like music to my ears. But nowhere in my search did I come across the option of getting to know and track my own cycle. Learning that with careful tracking, you’ll not only know exactly when to use a condom, but it will give you a true understanding of who you are and what you’re capable of. And omg, it makes navigating through life so much easier!
Anyway, I did what was necessary and also what seemed to be the only solution at the time. I stopped using the pill and got a hormonal IUD. Honestly, my symptoms disappeared like snow in the sun. My boyfriend could finally recognize me again, and oh, how relieved I was to feel like myself again. But was I really? Considering I only changed one hormonal birth control for the other…
By being only 24 years old at that point, realizing this was only 10 years of my life, and most of it was led by hormonal chaos. What will the next 10 bring me? Considering we spend about half of our lives dealing with our menstrual health, it’s not just a minor inconvenience, is it? Many of those years can be challenging, if not extremely. And what strikes me the most – next to having a poor diet and stressful habits that can lead you to having this outcome – is the fact that only one small misinformed decision early in life can turn your whole hormonal world upside down.
In my opinion, this is where changing the hormone game begins. By taking control early, during those teenage years – perhaps by upgrading sex education – we can set off a ripple effect of what I believe should be common knowledge. These classes should go beyond pregnancy prevention. They should trigger the interest of children at the end of primary school or beginning of high school by focusing on what matters to them: being liked, looking good, and impressing their friends.
Maybe by teaching them that lifestyle choices not only affect fertility but also their appearance (like acne and weight gain), mood stability, and overall performance in life. This can make these lessons more relevant and engaging. But by not changing the game there at all, I think there won’t be enough hormone coaches to fix all that could have been prevented.
It’s time to create a world where hormonal issues are no longer the norm, but a distant memory. A world where every woman has cracked her hormonal code early on and effortlessly feels on fire.
Tags: hormones, Period
Renate Schellekens is the founder of Mowgli’s Medicine and a contributing writer for Amazingy Magazine. With years of studying holistic health and navigating her own hormonal rollercoaster, Renate knows one thing for sure: hormones show no mercy. They control your energy, focus, looks, and even your entire vibe. But she’s not about to let them run the show unchallenged. Things can be different, and that’s what she’s excited to share with her readers. Through her articles, she shares a blend of science, personal experience, and humor, helping women master their hormones and reclaim their well-being. Renate’s mission is clear: life’s too short to be anything less than on fire, and she’s here to help you get there.
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