hello vonnie
Cosmic Funnies
wallacepolsom
let's talk about Bridgerton tea, my ask is open
Keni
noise dept.
JBB: An Artblog!
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trying on a metaphor
Kaledo Art
blake kathryn
One Nice Bug Per Day
YOU ARE THE REASON
he wasn't even looking at me and he found me
we're not kids anymore.
Three Goblin Art
occasionally subtle
Sade Olutola
Monterey Bay Aquarium
Andulka
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@meanandmenopausal
I walked into my appointment already knowing what was happening. I wasn’t confused. I wasn’t dramatic. I wasn’t suddenly anxious “for no reason.” What I didn’t have was a doctor willing to actually listen. My lab results finally explained why my body felt unpredictable — why high estrogen didn’t mean balance, and why missing progesterone changed everything. If you’ve been told your labs are “normal” while your body feels anything but, this post is for you. Read the full article
Brain Fog Hoodie — Powered by Hormones & Zero PatienceIf your brain feels like it’s buffering and your tolerance for nonsense Read the full article
Lately, if my food doesn’t have spice, it tastes like nothing. Mexican food needs extra heat. Vegetables need Cajun seasoning. Mild food feels unfinished — and I didn’t expect this at all. I’m originally from New England (where seasoning is polite), and I’ve been married to a Texan for almost 30 years. I was never supposed to catch up to his spice tolerance… and yet here we are. Turns out perimenopause can change how you taste food. Spice suddenly cuts through when everything else feels flat. I wrote about what’s happening, why it makes sense, and why my husband is watching in complete disbelief. Read the full article
Days 6–9 on HRT felt like my body quietly recalibrating — not dramatic, not instant, but definitely noticeable. Better sleep. More energy. A midday hot flash. Chills. And food suddenly tasting… wrong. I’m documenting this journey in real time, without miracle claims or polished outcomes — just honest notes from the middle of perimenopause. Writing it down so other women don’t feel alone or like they’re imagining things. 👉 Full progress update here: https://meanandmenopausal.com/hrt-progress-days-6-9/ Read the full article
Gen-X women don’t have mood swings. We have backstories. This hoodie gets it. 👇 Read the full article
Hot flashes don’t mean losing your sense of humor. This tee turns menopause heat waves into a bold, Read the full article
Day 1–5 on HRT: What Actually Happened (So Far)
I promised myself I would document this honestly — not the brochure version, not the “miracle cure” version, and not the doom-and-gloom version either. Just the real, unfiltered experience of starting hormone replacement therapy.
So here it is. My first five days on HRT — pellets and nightly progesterone — exactly as they unfolded.
No hype. No panic. Just observations.
Day 1 – January 14, 2026
Pellet Day
I got my pellets inserted around 10:00 AM, and I started progesterone pills that night.
The insertion itself? Not terrible — but yes, my ass hurt. That part is real and deserves honesty.
What surprised me most came later.
By 4:30 PM, when I got off work, I realized something felt… off. I wasn’t exhausted.
And that was not my normal.
Usually, by the end of the workday, I’m running on fumes, forcing myself through the evening. That didn’t happen. I still felt human.
Physically, my frozen shoulder decided to be chaotic and jumped from my right shoulder to my left. I’ve had both shoulders frozen at the same time before, so this wasn’t shocking — just annoying.
Other notes:
- Tinnitus still present - Insertion site sore - Took progesterone around 9:00 PM and went to bed
No fireworks. No instant magic. Just… different.
Day 2 – January 15, 2026
Still Tired, Still Sweaty, Still Cold
I took progesterone the night before, but I still woke up with night sweats, doing the usual blanket on / blanket off routine.
Morning mood? Tired. Unmotivated. Didn’t want to get up.
After work, I tried to work on my website for a bit, but I felt completely drained. Zero energy. Mentally and physically wiped.
I went to bed early — 8:30 PM — after taking my vitamins and progesterone.
It was also freezing cold outside, which definitely didn’t help how blah I felt. Cold weather seems to amplify everything when your hormones are already throwing tantrums.
This day felt discouraging — but I reminded myself:
I didn’t break overnight. I won’t fix overnight either.
Mood Support (No Apologies)
Day 3 – January 16, 2026
Subtle Shifts
This night was different.
I slept better. And I dreamed.
That alone felt huge.
I’m still tired — but after years of poor sleep, I don’t expect my body to bounce back in three days. That kind of exhaustion has layers.
Emotionally, the day was mixed.
At lunch, I felt sad and despondent about some things. Then, when our food took forever at a new restaurant, I got really pissed off — internally. I recognized it for what it was and didn’t take it out on the staff (new restaurant, first week chaos happens).
That self-awareness mattered.
Physically:
- Incision felt better - Planned to remove gauze that night - Frozen shoulder still present, but manageable
Then something interesting clicked.
I realized the antibiotic I’d been taking for a tooth issue may have been affecting my hormones. I switched to garlic supplements instead.
And here’s the kicker:
My tinnitus wasn’t as loud.
Not gone. But noticeably quieter.
That caught my attention.
Day 4 – January 17, 2026
Saturday Energy (Who Is She?)
I slept until 7:30 AM — not bad, considering I was up until 11 the night before.
I woke up with both ears ringing (rude), needed coffee immediately, but the day took an unexpected turn.
By the afternoon?
I had energy.
Enough energy that I was almost annoying my husband with my silliness.
He had poker night planned, so obviously I made him take me out for Mexican food and margaritas first. Because science. And because I needed to test my perimenopausal alcohol intolerance.
Results:
- Intelligence still intact (thankfully 😂) - No immediate disaster
I took a nap after dinner — about an hour and a half — and here’s what shocked me:
I still wasn’t exhausted.
I stayed up watching movies until midnight, fully alert.
That hasn’t happened in a very long time.
Things Helping Me Right Now
Day 5 – January 18, 2026
Rested. Actually Rested.
I slept until 7:00 AM.
And the biggest change so far?
I’m dreaming again.
The good kind of dreams — the ones where you wake up and want to fall back asleep to see what happens next.
I did have one night sweat / hot flash around 2:00 AM, but it was manageable.
Side note: Trying to escape blankets during a hot flash while cats are sleeping on top of them is an Olympic-level struggle.
The real difference, though, is how I wake up.
I feel rested. I have energy.
Not manic. Not wired. Just… functional.
That alone feels monumental.
Today, I’m writing this blog and filming a video update — because I want this documented while it’s fresh and honest.
Final Thoughts (For Now)
I don’t feel “fixed.” I don’t feel magically cured. And I don’t feel worse.
What I do feel is change.
Subtle. Gradual. Real.
And for the first time in a long time, I feel hopeful — cautiously, realistically hopeful.
If you’re reading this and considering HRT, here’s my biggest takeaway so far:
This is a process, not a switch.
I’ll keep sharing what happens next — the good, the annoying, the unexpected — because too many of us are walking this path without enough real-world stories.
And we deserve better than silence.
Stay tuned. Mean & Menopausal 💜
Day 1 of HRT: The Pain in My Ass Is Finally Matching My Personality
Today was the day.
After months of feeling off — exhausted, moody, short-tempered, and questioning whether this was “just how life is now” — I finally had my hormone appointment and officially started HRT.
Not a quick visit. Not a rushed conversation.
This was an entire morning of being heard, validated, and taken seriously — and that alone felt like progress.
Why I Decided to Start HRT
I didn’t wake up one day excited to start hormone replacement therapy.
I got here because:
- My patience disappeared - My energy tanked - My mood swings escalated - My body felt unfamiliar - And every concern was brushed off as stress, age, or something to push through
I didn’t want another prescription meant to numb how I felt.
I wanted answers.
What Day 1 of a Hormone Replacement Therapy Appointment Is Really Like
If you’re planning a hormone consult, block more time than you think you’ll need.
My appointment ran from 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., and every minute was used.
We discussed:
- Symptoms (yes, all of them) - Sleep problems - Mood changes - Energy levels - Libido - Weight gain - Brain fog - What I’ve tried - What I refuse to try again
Bloodwork was done. Options were explained. No rushing. No minimizing.
For once, I didn’t feel dismissed.
My HRT Treatment Plan
After reviewing everything, we decided on:
- Estrogen pellets - Testosterone pellets - A nightly progesterone pill
The pellets were implanted today.
Right into my backside.
So yes — the pain in my ass is officially matching my personality.
How I Feel After Starting HRT
Physically:
- Sore - Tender - Sitting carefully
Emotionally:
- Relieved - Hopeful - Cautiously optimistic
Mostly, I feel validated.
Like I wasn’t exaggerating. Like this isn’t “all in my head.” Like I finally took control back.
If This Sounds Like You…
If you’re reading this thinking:
- This is exactly how I feel - I thought I was broken - Why didn’t anyone warn us about this?
You’re not alone. And you’re not crazy.
👉 I share my hormone replacement therapy journey openly — the good, the uncomfortable, and the brutally honest — because silence helps no one.
A Quick Disclaimer (Because It Matters)
This is my personal experience, not medical advice.
Every body is different. What works for me may not be right for you.
But sharing real experiences helps women advocate for themselves — and that matters.
The Part No One Warns You About
Perimenopause and menopause don’t just change your body.
They change:
- Your tolerance - Your boundaries - Your patience - Your willingness to pretend everything is fine
And sometimes the healthiest thing you can do is stop apologizing for it.
That’s exactly why I create products that say what so many of us are thinking but feel pressured not to say out loud.
👉 If your patience disappeared somewhere between perimenopause and menopause, this one was made for you:
Wear the mood. Stop explaining yourself.
What’s Next in My HRT Journey
This is Day 1.
I’ll be sharing:
- How the next few days feel - Any changes I notice - The unexpected stuff no one warns you about
👉 Bookmark this page or check back for Day 2 — I’m documenting the entire HRT journey.
If you’ve started hormone replacement therapy — or you’re thinking about it — drop a comment below.
We’re not meant to go through this quietly 💜
Today was Day 1 of HRT—pellets, cost, pain, and all. This is the real, unfiltered experience of starting hormone therapy, not the Instagram
Why Women Have to Fight So Hard to Get Hormone Care
Day 1 of HRT taught me something I already knew but still hate: women’s hormone issues are treated like an afterthought. I had to go to a fertility clinic to be taken seriously — and pay out of pocket to do it.
Here’s what actually happened.
One margarita. Full meal. No salt. Suddenly drunk. A real story about alcohol intolerance during perimenopause—and why it can feel scary.
Apparently perimenopause turned me into a lightweight.
One margarita. Full meal. Suddenly drunk. The upside? My husband says I’m now a “cheap drunk” and he’s saving money. 🙄🍹
Sharing this in case you thought it was just you.
Ever been triggered by your partner’s breathing or chewing? Same. Here’s the hilarious truth behind perimenopause sound sensitivity — and ho
Ever been triggered by your partner’s breathing or chewing? Same. Here’s the hilarious truth behind perimenopause sound sensitivity — and how I’m staying sane without moving into a soundproof shed.
🎄💜 Naughty. Nice. Menopausal. Choose Your Vibe.
‘Tis the season to shop gifts that match your mood — whether you’re feeling festive… or feral. Our Christmas collection is officially live, dripping in sarcasm, sparkle, and Mean & Menopausal chaos.
Shop menopause gifts at Mean and Menopausal. Find funny tees, bold mugs, and midlife merch that brings humor and confidence.
A bold and comfortable Gen-X tee featuring a funny, unapologetic message. Soft, lightweight, and perfect for everyday wear with a modern bas
A bold, wickedly honest Funny Gen-X Baseball Tee made for anyone who’s earned their aches and refuses to sugarcoat it. Soft, lightweight, sarcastic perfection.
Perimenopause brain fog is real—and no, you’re not imagining it. Here’s why your mind feels like it’s buffering and what actually helps.
My Perimenopause Personal Story
Midlife doesn’t ease in quietly—it barrels through your life like a tornado you never saw coming. What I didn’t realize then was that everything I was experiencing was part of my own Perimenopause Personal Story, long before I even knew the word “perimenopause” existed. The years leading up to where I am now were shaping me in ways I couldn’t recognize at the time—physically, mentally, and…