Hormonal Rant

Sometimes I am amazed by the human body. OK, let's be more specific... sometimes I am frustrated at my own female body and it's vulnerability to hormone changes.

Let's not beat around the bush... we all know that about once a month, each female goes through a hormone imbalance that can lead to a mood swing, increased sensitivity and overactive emotions. I am one of the lucky few who rarely experiences a significant mood-based effects. But these things come at a trade off. For example, I don't get cramps... but I get nausea.

So what am I stuck with in exchange for my relative emotional stability during these cycles? Well, It's slightly awkward... but I had surgery awhile back and had to go on 'the pill' for a few months. At first I was unaware of the side-effect... but my family spotted it early on. I might not have extreme mood swings on a monthly basis, but the entire time I was on the pill was one GIANT mood swing (obviously, this doesn't bode well for my future). I didn't really believe them (them being my family and their insistence that I was imbalanced and not just reasonably frustrated at the stupidity of people) until I went off the pill... suddenly I just felt much more pleasant, more satisfied with my life and in general, less irritated at the people around me. Hm, maybe they had a point?

Recently I made a trip to the dermatologist who prescribed me some antibiotics for my skin. These pills are a relative to birth control. Having been on them before, I did not anticipate a problem. I am still not completely convinced... but in the last 24 hours I have cried 3 times and gotten more frustrated at multiple people than I can remember getting upset at in the last 6 months or so! Not a good sign, eh?

Well, only 28 days of pills left to go. :)

Like I said, I have been on these meds before... now I can't help but wonder if some of the issues I dealt with last spring were compounded by this medication. Hmmm....

It's really interesting to me, how hormones can so drastically effect you mood, but more specifically your responses to people and events. Generally, a even-keeled person (I mean, I *think* I am) I am astonished to realize I can so easily be transformed into an emotional wreck by one comment or even just the tone of a voice. These episodes of spontaneous tears have baffled me... the same situation just a week ago would have resulted in a shrug of the shoulders and MAYBE a disapproving sigh... certainly not an outburst of liquid emotion and subsequent brooding.

I know the female body is designed this way for a reason... but let's be honest, it sucks. No one wants to be transformed into a hormonal mess and no one wants to deal with someone when they have been transformed to such. You know, with all of the medical advances we have made, you would think someone would have figured out a way to get this under control. In the meantime, I guess I need to get a dose of some reality and some more Jesus in my life to help keep these hormones under wraps.

Feel free to steer clear :)