The first time I went to my GP after being diagnosed with my BRCA1 mutation in search of a breast exam, I took a 10-page document explaining what I had and what the recommendations were. I did this because I suspected (correctly) that he wouldn’t have heard of my ‘condition’ or know the protocol. He sat and read the document, which described the mutation and the fact that preventative bilateral mastectomy is to be considered, in front of me. As he finished, he dropped the papers onto his desk and peered over the top rim of his specs as he said, “you’re going to do that?”, and then went on to begrudgingly examine my breasts as if it were a waste of his time. This was five years ago, and I haven’t seen him since.

Periods

Is it normal?? Chances are, if you’re questioning it, it isn’t. You know your body better than anyone. Read, read, and read some more. Write out what you’re going to say to your doc, and don’t take ‘it’s normal’ for an answer.

https://www.healthline.com/health/painful-menstrual-periods

https://www.healthline.com/health/severe-menstrual-cramps#causes

Fertility

Did you know that most cases of Hashimoto’s, which is an autoimmune disease causing an underactive thyroid, hit women between the ages of 30 and 50, and it’s especially likely to affect you following a pregnancy? Having an untreated autoimmune disorder like this can cause miscarriages. While it is incurable, it is manageable; and above all, it’s easily diagnosed. I was repeatedly told by numerous doctors that I would need to have 3 babies die before I could have any tests done. At the time, while I knew that this was NOT normal I didn’t have the info I’m sharing now, so I didn’t know what to demand, and so I did lose 3 babies, and was promptly given a simple blood test, diagnosed with Hashimoto’s, and put on medication all within the space of ONE month. I know it’s not possible everywhere in the world, but if I had known what to ask for, I’d have walked into the lab and paid for the test right off the bat. If you have a miscarriage, and especially if you often feel super tired to the point that you have no choice but to go back to bed in the middle of the day, insist on getting your TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) and T3 & T4 levels checked.

Hashimoto’s:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hashimotos-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20351855

https://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/diseases/6570/hashimotos-syndrome/cases/52284#:~:text=Women%20with%20Hashimoto’s%20syndrome%20should,%2C%20and%2For%20postpartum%20bleeding.

PCOS:

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/polycystic-ovary-syndrome-pcos/

Progesterone:

PRISM study – https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1813730?query=featured_home

Infographic to show to anyone who won’t take you seriously:

Click to access PRISM%20Infographic_v4_1.pdf

Info from Tommys: https://www.tommys.org/about-us/charity-news/giving-some-pregnant-women-progesterone-could-prevent-8450-miscarriages-year-say-experts#:~:text=Researchers%20at%20Tommy’s%20National%20Centre,babies%20being%20born%20each%20year.

MTHFR gene mutation:

A huge percentage of the population has this mutation -and especially people of Hispanic descent- meaning that your body can’t absorb synthetic folate, i.e. folic acid, which is essential in pregnancy.

https://www.healthline.com/health/mthfr-gene#_noHeaderPrefixedContent

I personally used a product with ‘quatrefolic’ which is developed for this purpose

https://www.quatrefolic.com/quatrefolic_vs_folic.php

This is what I used (I don’t make commission or anything): https://www.amazon.fr/Effik-Gyn%C3%A9fam-Supra-XL-Capsules/dp/B07F79DWYZ/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=Vitamine+Grossesse&qid=1618861630&sr=8-5

You can also make sure to get lots of folate-rich foods in your diet:

• broccoli
• brussels sprouts
• leafy green vegetables, such as cabbage, kale, spring greens and spinach
• peas
• chickpeas and kidney beans
• breakfast cereals fortified with folic acid