Ok I just read that women crave chocolate more when progesterone levels are low. So what is the chocolate doing? Where can I get a healthier version of the same nutrient?
Hi! In January, due to cervical cancer, I had to have a radical hysterectomy. Because of my age, 39 and 40 in June, I am considered young to have a hysterectomy where both ovaries were taken. When I was wheeled into the OR my ovaries were working at 100%. 2 hours later I was in full blown surgical menopause. That being said, I started experiencing menopausal symptoms very fast because my body was essentially thrown into shock because of my estrogen levels dropping to nothing so fast. The first symptom I noticed was my heart would beat so hard and so fast that I felt it was coming out of my chest. It also felt like it was skipping beats. Anyway, my primary dr had me to follow up with a cardiologist just to be on the safe said but he assured me that he thought it was just another menopause symptom to add to my list. He was right. I had NO clue how many, sometimes terrible, symptoms women can have during this time in their lives. Because I didn't have the gradual decrease of the natural hormone as if I had started menopause naturally, my body is reacting very bad and I have every single symptom that you can have and they are some of the worst they've seen. Story of my life lol. Anyway, I wanted to tell you what my dr told me, sometimes when our heart rate increases suddenly it can either be an irregular heartbeat or the beginning of an anxiety attack. Which is yet another menopause symptom that lucky me has gotten. Anyway, he told me to keep dark chocolate in my purse or on me at all times and when that feeling starts eat a couple. Dark chocolate is actually very good for you, and I can say it helps my heart. They put me on Xanax for it also but I have only taken 1 and realized that in fact, and I don't know how, the dark chocolate works BETTER. I have found that the Dove dark chocolate is the best. I don't know why. To each their own. I look at it like this, this is Gods way of saying He is sorry for putting us women through this menopausal hell. It's a little free chocolate pass lol! Anyway good luck and I would love to know if you find another chocolate that works for you