Written by: Emanuela Visone
PROLOGUE
Survivors and challengers often share their stories (in print) hoping to memorialize their journey to empower others who feel lost in their health struggles. Mine is a story of resilience and healing and I want people to know there is hope beyond conventional medicine. It became the crossroads that inspired my career as a healer through nature, where the answers I discovered are all from the foods we eat, from better strategies to managing stress and eliminate toxins. If you are going through a similar health crisis, know that there are many answers (more than the conventional) and that you are not alone. Your body has the innate ability to heal. Sometimes, it just needs a little help. Trust in nature, trust in yourself, and never stop searching for answers.
I remember the day like it was yesterday. Sitting in the
doctor’s office, nervously awaiting my test results, I heard the words that
would change my life forever: “You are experiencing premature ovarian failure.”
I was only 38 years old. My mind raced. How could this be happening? My doctor’s next
statement shook me: “If you want to have a child, you have a six-month window
to try.”
I didn’t have a significant other at the time, but I had a
great support system. I decided to embark on the journey of becoming a mother
on my own. But the process was grueling. I endured painful tests, including a
hysterosalpingogram, where air was blown through my fallopian tubes. Despite
all the tests, the only abnormality was my ovaries had failed prematurely.
Understanding Premature Ovarian Insufficiency
Primary Ovarian Insufficiency (POI), also known as premature ovarian failure, occurs when the ovaries cease normal function before age 40, leading to reduced estrogen production and potential infertility.
Smoking is a significant risk factor for early menopause and
POI. Studies indicate that women who smoke may experience menopause one to two
years earlier than non-smokers. The toxins in cigarette smoke accelerate
ovarian aging, contributing to an earlier onset of menopause.
Common symptoms of POI include irregular periods, hot
flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, irritability, and decreased libido.
These symptoms result from decreased estrogen levels and can significantly
impact quality of life.
Faced with this reality, I ultimately chose not to pursue in
vitro fertilization (IVF) using donor sperm. The emotional toll was heavy, but
I found comfort in being an aunt, a godmother, and loving my cousin’s children
as my own. Making peace with my decision was just the beginning of my journey.
The Onset of Symptoms and My Search for Healing
As if infertility wasn’t enough, I now faced another battle:
menopause at 38. Hot flashes became my unwelcome companions, arriving
unannounced and leaving me drenched in sweat. Mood swings turned me into
someone I no longer recognized. The bloating, discomfort, and weight gain made
me feel trapped in someone else’s body.
Then, I read about bioidentical hormone replacement therapy
(BHRT). Inspired by a well-known actress who had successfully balanced her
hormones, I sought out a specialist. Tests revealed another shocking truth, I
was also suffering from adrenal fatigue. My cortisol levels were through the
roof.
I began taking estrogen, progesterone, and hydrocort (a low
dose of hydrocortisone to balance my cortisol). At first, I felt amazing. But
over time, I started gaining weight and feeling off. My body was telling me
something wasn’t right.
During a routine wellness visit in 2017, my doctor expressed concern about my elevated liver function. When he asked about my supplements, he linked my high liver enzymes to the hydrocort, a steroid. So much for minimal side effects! I had spent thousands of dollars only to discover my treatment was causing more harm than good. I immediately stopped BHRT and turned back to nature for answers.
Returning to Nature for Healing
My mentor had always emphasized the power of food as medicine.
She suggested incorporating phytoestrogens naturally through my diet rather
than taking soy capsules. But, in my impatience, I ignored her advice and
started taking soy supplements.
Within months, I felt terrible. My voice became hoarse, my
body ached, and my legs throbbed at night. Heart palpitations and flu-like
symptoms plagued me.
One morning, I woke up and noticed lumps protruding from
both sides of my throat. I rushed to my doctor, who sent me for a thyroid
sonogram. The results were alarming—my thyroid nodules had enlarged, and I had
developed a new mass. My thyroid was malfunctioning, sending my cholesterol and
hormone levels spiraling.
My doctor referred me to an endocrinologist for a biopsy.
But before I went down that road, I had an epiphany. I had healed my dog’s
irritable bowel syndrome through diet and supplements. If I could heal my dog
naturally, why couldn’t I heal myself?
I dove deep into researching whole foods, enzymes, and
gut-healing strategies. I overhauled my diet, eliminating inflammatory foods
and focusing on nutrient-dense, alkaline foods. I incorporated superfoods, probiotics,
digestive enzymes, and wildcrafted algae to support my gut and endocrine
system.
Within months, the transformation was undeniable. My energy
returned. My cholesterol stabilized, and I lost 24 pounds. The heart
palpitations disappeared. Most importantly, when I went back for my follow-up
thyroid sonogram, the mass and nodules had shrunk, and my hormone levels were
normalizing.
EPILOGUE
Looking back, my battle with premature ovarian failure,
leading to full-blown menopause at 43, adrenal fatigue, and thyroid
dysfunction, was a blessing in disguise. It led me to uncover the body’s
incredible ability to heal itself when given the right tools.
References: https://medlineplus.gov/primaryovarianinsufficiency.html
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2001/07/010716112326.htm
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17963-primary-ovarian-insufficiency
