Navigating Menopause with Hashimotos

I started entering menopause at 31 years old—surgically induced—and a few years later was diagnosed with Hashimotos thyroiditis. My thyroid isn’t in remission yet, but I am heading towards that goal. Above all, this is my honest journey: what helped, what’s ongoing, and how I strive for balance.

Before BHRT (Pellets): When Everything Fell Apart

Before I ever found relief, I was stuck in a version of myself I barely recognized.

Emotional Whiplash: Watching Myself from the Outside

Some days I’d spiral into anxiety or uncontrollable tears. Other times, I’d lash out over nothing. It was like watching myself from above....fully aware, but helpless to stop the emotional chaos. I felt hijacked by hormones.

Brain Fog So Thick, I Forgot My Kids' Names

There were moments I couldn’t remember what I was doing, why I walked into a room, or even my children’s names mid-sentence. It wasn’t just “mom brain.” It was frightening.

Irrational Decisions and Mental Paralysis

Tiny decisions felt like massive undertakings. I couldn’t trust my own judgment. I’d overcommit, make impulse purchases, or shut down completely. It was like my mental clarity had vanished.

Bone-Deep Lethargy

This wasn’t tiredness. This was a weighted, physical exhaustion. My limbs felt heavy. No nap, no caffeine, no willpower could get me moving again.

0 Sex Drive, 100% Disconnection

My libido didn’t just drop...it disappeared. I couldn’t feel desire. Intimacy felt like another task on my to-do list. I missed feeling feminine and alive.

This is what pushed me to seek alternatives for hormone support. Not to chase youth—but to reclaim myself.

Holistic Strategies That Gave Me Relief

Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) Pellets

From age 31 to 43, I experimented with nearly every alternative route, but nothing brought the clarity, stability, and hormonal balance that pellets offered.

After years of trying various hormone delivery methods—creams, patches, and oral pills—I finally experienced meaningful relief with BHRT pellets. I worked with a highly trained and knowledgeable health care provider who guided me through a “low and slow” approach to dosing. That careful and personalized support made all the difference.

Finding a provider who treats you like a partner in your care is a game-changer. Especially with hormones, where precision, compassion, and collaboration matter more than any one-size-fits-all solution.

Pellets deliver steady estrogen and/or testosterone over time through subcutaneous implantation. They’re not FDA-approved, and they do come with caveats—risks of over-supplementation, side effects, and the need for tight lab monitoring. But in my case, under expert supervision, they finally gave me a foothold in feeling normal again.

My sex drive returned in full force, and I finally felt emotionally grounded. I reconnected with myself—and that deeper self-connection strengthened my relationships with others..

Oral Progesterone

I take micronized oral progesterone alongside estrogen. Unlike topical progestins, oral progesterone is FDA‑approved to offset estrogen’s effect on the uterus and may support sleep and mood better than synthetic progestins. This was a game-changer in my sleep quality and quantity of hours! This also required a lot of tweaking because I was experiencing WILD dreams and anxiety with certain forms of progesterone.

Black Cumin Seed Oil

This oil (Nigella sativa) 2 g daily over 8 weeks has improved my thyroid levels—TSH dropped, T₃ increased—and slightly lowered anti‑TPO antibodies. I found it a gentle anti-inflammatory support—not a cure, but helpful alongside compounded thyroid meds. I work closely with my Health Care Practitioner on this balance.

Adrenal Support & Glutathione

Adrenal fatigue symptoms (fatigue, low tolerance to stress, etc) are real on this journey. Supporting adrenals with tailored supplements and glutathione (for detox and oxidative stress) has helped me feel more resilient. Topical and oral glutathione, adrenal support supplements, DHEA, and adrenal cocktails have made a noticeable improvement in my ability to tolerate stress.

Magnesium (Topical and Internal)

Using magnesium oil on muscles and taking magnesium glycinate daily supports better sleep, muscle relaxation, and thyroid conversion. Many find it helpful for cramps, anxiety, and restful nights.

Electrolytes & Diet Flexibility

I maintain hydration, sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium to combat fatigue and support thyroid and adrenal function. My diet is clean but not rigid—whole foods, moderate protein, vegetables—with occasional treats. I didn’t stress perfection, and that mindset made long-term success possible.

Occasional Intermittent Fasting + Coffee Ritual

Some days I start with coffee enhanced with cinnamon, cardamom, and creatine—no fasting on tough days, only when it feels right. It helps with energy, gut comfort, and mood on intermittent fasting days.

Daily Movement That Feels Fun

Rather than forcing workouts, I move in ways I enjoy—walking, stretching, pilates, dance, and lots of yoga. I do add in some weights, but nothing that does not feel good on my joints, and while I respect the weighted vest for walking, it is not in my daily practice. Changing my mindset around movement keeps my body engaged and my mood lifted without pressure.

Infrared Sauna on My Terms

Infrared sauna helps with circulation, detox, and tension relief. I do it occasionally when I can...not on a rigid schedule. No guilt, just love for how it feels.

Red + Blue Light Therapy at Home

I installed red and blue light panels in my bedroom and use them for 10–15 minutes daily. It feels peaceful, supports sleep cycles, and brightens mood.

Mental and Emotional Self‑Care

Talking about my struggles instead of hiding built more support, less shame. I rest when I need to—and make occupational and social decisions to avoid added stressors. That means walking away from roles or tasks that elevate my anxiety.

What Doesn’t Work (or Needs Tweaking)

• Expecting perfection in diet or schedule created more stress than progress—so I softened my approach.

• Pellets require careful follow-up, regular labs, and awareness of risks. Not everyone tolerates them well.

• No single solution reversed Hashimotos—my thyroid still needs support, and remission remains a goal.

Common Questions

1. Can black cumin seed oil reverse Hashimotos?

Answer: Not likely. It may support thyroid labs modestly, but remission isn’t guaranteed. Use it as a supplement to medical thyroid therapy.

2. Are BHRT pellets safe?

Answer: They can offer steady hormone levels and symptom relief, but aren't FDA‑approved and have potential risks. Always use under supervised care.

3. Why do I use oral progesterone?

Answer: Micronized progesterone may support sleep and reduce estrogen’s uterine risks when taken orally, and is FDA‑approved for menopausal use.

4. How to balance clean eating without perfectionism?

Answer: Focus on nutrient density and whole foods, allow flexibility, don’t overcompensate for occasional treats. Stress reduction matters as much as food.

5. Do light therapies really help?

Answer: Many women find red/blue light calming and supportive of circadian rhythm and mood—psychological benefit is real even if clinical data is small.

6. How do I manage fatigue without overdoing it?

Answer: Honor your body’s cues: rest when needed, combine gentle movement with breaks, keep hydrated, and reduce non-essential stressors.

5. Do you have links to your favorite or recommended products?

Answer: Yes, I am always happy to share products, providers, and tricks that I have learned over the years! Here are some online resources:

• Supplements

• Amazon Favorites

This journey isn’t linear, and remission hasn’t arrived yet for my Hashimotos, but the steps I’ve taken have built resilience, eased menopause symptoms, and given me hope. There’s no “one-size-fits-all,” especially when hormonal autoimmunity meets menopause. Still, a combination of inflammation support, steady hormone care, self-compassion, and stress management has been truly life‑changing.

If you’re walking a similar path, consider which pieces resonate with you and don’t feel alone. We're building wellness while refusing to chase perfection.