Hello!

I just found out that today, April 24th, is World Hormone Day! It is already getting late into the evening here in Aotearoa NZ. But better late than never.

I recorded a last minute video to share with you, where I talk about my hormone replacement therapy (HRT) regimen. There is no attempt to persuade you to try it (although vaginal Ovestin cream is the best!), but more of a run through of my regimen, and I share tips I have picked up to make application and absorption as unmessy and icky as possible.

My professional background is in teaching/education and not medicine, so please don’t take anything I say as medical advice. I see my role as peer support and advocacy. Please see your doctor about HRT and midlife healthcare.

This video isn’t scripted so I hope it all makes sense. It was getting late here, and I am in a depressive spiral for some reason. Therefore I copied and pasted the video transcript into Claude.ai to create an easy read timestamped description for accessibility. It was so dull that I asked Claude to make it fun. It didn’t disappoint! I am sharing it below (in the block text) if the video/audio aren’t your preferred way of accessing/processing information.

There are closed captions on the video and also a verbatim transcript. Please forgive the “ums” and “ahs”, my ADHD meds were wearing off and I was staving off a medication rebound.

Isn’t neurodivergent midlife fun?! *sarcasm*

Fun & Quirky Video Guide: Sam's Hormone Adventure! 🎢

The Opening Act 🎭

0:00-0:14 - Meet our hero Sam Galloway from "The Autistic Perimenopause: A Temporary Regression" 0:15-0:24 - It's World Hormone Day! 🎉 (April 24th) Cue the confetti!

The Estrogel Experience 💪

0:25-0:54 - Say hello to Estrogel, Sam's estradiol buddy! 0:55-1:18 - Cool trick alert! 🧙‍♀️ Pumping onto the lid for sensory-friendly application 1:19-2:04 - The arm dance! 💃 Shoulder-to-wrist application technique 2:05-2:28 - Don't rub it all in! And keep it away from co-sleeping kiddos (no accidental hormone sharing!)

Testosterone Time ⚡

2:29-3:06 - Meet Testogel: possibly a neurodivergent's best friend! 3:07-3:37 - The quarter pump challenge 🎯 (precision matters!) 3:38-3:57 - Outer thigh gets the goods (buttocks are also an option!) 3:58-4:25 - The 5-minute waiting game before pants come into play

Patch Party 🎪

4:26-4:48 - Introducing the lifesaving patches! (Literally - "better than suicidal ideation") 4:49-5:32 - Math time! 25 + 75 = 100 (because 100s aren't available anymore) 5:33-6:16 - What's in the mystery packet? A much smaller patch than you'd expect! 6:17-7:16 - The Great Patch Direction Debate 🧭 Length-wise wins to prevent splitting! 7:17-8:12 - Warm it up! Press it down! Air bubbles are the enemy!

Progesterone Parade 🎪

8:13-9:56 - Utrogestan enters the chat (AKA: the one Sam struggles with) 9:57-10:55 - For some lucky folks: sleep, calm, and happiness! (Not for Sam though 😅) 10:56-12:04 - Tiny capsules with options! Oral, vaginal, or... elsewhere? 🤫 12:05-12:48 - Cancer prevention > side effects (but removal is the dream!)

Cream Dream Team 🌈

12:49-13:22 - The grand finale: Ovestin cream! ("You need this, guys!") 13:23-14:01 - Topical means local! Less problems in places it doesn't need to be 14:02-14:46 - The schedule: nightly for a few weeks, then twice-weekly maintenance 14:47-15:19 - Surprise family interruptions! 😂 Quick goodbye as real life happens!

Bonus Round 🏆

Throughout - Random husband and child cameos! Keeping it real!

Entire Video - Zero filter, 100% authentic hormone talk!

Claude.ai has hyped me right up, ha ha! ChatGPT, eat your heart out.

Right, I’d better go. I need to shower and apply all the gels, patches and pop all the pills.

I hope your hormones are being kind to you today!

Cheers,

This week I have shared all my hard won HRT geekery and enthusiasm. Your support helps me raise awareness of autistic perimenopause and advocate for us all.

Get full access to The Autistic Perimenopause: A Temporary Regression at samgallowayaudhd.substack.com/subscribe