by Mollie Millington | Feb 14, 2024 | gift guide, health
Love is in the air. Happy Valentine’s Day to you! I hope you treat yourself to some amazing self care treats. In the spirit of self love and body acceptance, this gift guide is meant to help people who are going through perimenopause and menopause. It can be a dark journey (with over 30 different symptoms to combat) and I hope that these ideas can help you support people affected in your circle, or even help you cope. Most of these I have not tried myself (I will say if I have) so please do some research before investing in any products or services.
How about a spa break? Using elements ranging from acupressure to phytohormones and more to address the side effects of menopause and enable women to enjoy their wellbeing holistically. Spabreaks.com offer some of the best spa breaks for women in menopause. Spa Breaks.com has 27 different listings that offer this service. Gift vouchers are available if you are not sure which would be best. I know this treatment is on my list for 2024.
Earlier in the year, Charlotte Blackler launched the UK’s first food range specifically designed to incorporate plant oestrogens to bring women natural relief from unwanted symptoms of perimenopause and menopause. Eating a diet which contains high levels of plant oestrogens can help keep those fluctuating hormone levels of perimenopause and menopause in balance. Mena Pause shop offers subscription services and bundles of their products to support women by providing tasty grab-and-go options they could easily fit into a busy lifestyle. If you are opposed to hormone replacement therapy, these foods might be of help.
You may recall that in 2022, I reviewed the Forth Perimenopause test and found it very insightful. I was able to take my results (shown above) to my doctor and that prompted them to order a hormone blood test via the NHS. While the at-home kits blood collection is not as good as one with a phlebotomist, I liked how the Forth test kits have you submit samples based on your menstrual cycle, rather than a random day/time like the NHS. Your results will be included in a comprehensive hormone report.
One of the hardest things I have had over the last few years has been poor quality sleep. For a while, I blamed Maple waking up several times a night (and then sleeping on the floor with her). I tried pillow spray, scented candles, essential oils, and couldn’t find a way to improve my sleep. While researching this gift guide, Earth’s Secret Sleep supplements came to my attention. These are formulated to help perimenopausal women sleep easier. For most women, menopause is when your oestrogen and progesterone levels fluctuate rapidly before eventually dropping. These hormones play a key role in regulating your energy levels. This fluctuation leave you exhausted with low energy levels and can also lead to other symptoms that may interfere with your quality of life. Anxiety, depression, hot flushes, night sweats, and frequent urination can also disturb your sleep or keep you awake and only exacerbate your fatigue and dampen your mood. Earth’s Secret Sleep Complex was formulated to provide the necessary rest that our bodies require to function correctly. Saffron, a rich Indian spice, and other sleep-inducing botanicals are used to improve the quality of your sleep. It is also combined with the power of tart cherry, passionflower, lavender, and chamomile. This may be another product I have to try (although marathon training has helped ensure I have slept soundly over the last few months).
In the research I have done about weight gain and fitness training during menopause to feel fit and healthy again, the answer seems to be lifting heavy weights. Therefore, working with a knowledgeable personal trainer can make a world of difference. Invest in coaching with my friend Elle, a Menopausal Coach and personal trainer. She recently completed a menopause coaching certification and now offers a three month coaching subscription which can make a great gift.
One of the hardest parts of perimenopause for me has been the incontinence. It took me a long time (and lots of pants) to find period pants that worked for my incontinence when at work and when exercising. Cheeky Wipes is a brand I only recently have been introduced to and yet to try. They offer period pants, cloth pads, and incontinence products. Pants and pads can help to manage leaks, floods and clots in a discreet and comfortable manner. Whether you prefer pants or pads is a personal preference. I prefer pants for incontinence and pads for my period.
These are just a few suggestions to help you (or a friend) through the change. With so many symptoms, each person experiences something different and needs assistance in a different way. I posted some of my coping mechanisms here and would love for you to leave a comment below with other products, services, and tips you have for surviving this transition period.
by Mollie Millington | May 23, 2023 | beauty, health, product review
My friends from Boston University came for a visit in March. It was years ago the three of us were together and we packed a lot into a weeklong visit. Now that we are all in our 40’s, there were many discussions about skin care, body aches and pains, and perimenopause (we sure know how to rock and roll!). We also discussed vitamins and supplements we take now that we are older (top tip: don’t get old). Eryn swore by collagen, which she has been taking since November. She saw her finger nails become stronger and experienced less aches and pains.
I decided to see what all the fuss was about for collagen. Like many supplements, most brands state that it takes 30 days+ to see an difference. This makes a lot of sense in terms of hair and nail growth. It also seems to be very much a trending supplement, much like menopause products which are also gaining momentum. The Global Collagen Report started that the collagen market is worth $9.1 billion in 2022 (which is approximately £7 billion), making it quite lucrative.
What do the professionals think about collagen supplements? Dr. Hana Patel, GP specialist in womens and mental health and GP Expert Witness, told me the NHS does not recommend patients take collagen as there isn’t enough evidence to support its effectiveness. Dr. Patel went on to say that are many studies, however, that show that taking up to 10 grams a day, may help with skin health, joint health, bone density and muscle mass.
How to choose a collagen supplement
I know I was overwhelmed with choice as I started to look into it. Eryn takes Beyond Collagen Multi Collagen for Women (which Oprah also recommends) which is a powder but I could not find it in the UK. Dr. Patel shared that although collagen can be absorbed in all forms, studies show that more is absorbed per gram in the powder form, as there are not other additional substances added to it. You may want to take this into account when choosing a collagen product. Other factors to consider are ease of administration (do you want to be able to swallow a pill or make a drink) and if what kind of collagen you want. For example, Type I collagen typically is move from bovine (cow) or porcine (pig) or even bones. It can be found in your body in skin, tendons, ligaments, and bones. Type II collagen can also be found in the body in your cartilage, bones, and connective tissue. Type II collagen often is made from chickens. This is just the tip of the iceberg. Holland and Barret have an informative summary over on their site if you would like to learn more.
So I put some feelers out on Twitter to see what people would recommend. A few people responded with Arbonne Skin Elixir Collagen Booster. I already have an Arbonne consultant and she takes it too. As it is vegan, it doesn’t contain any collagen but instead encourages your body to make more.
Stacey, founder of Planthaya, contacted me to try out her Glow Natural Collagen Support, which is also vegan. Its three key ingredients help promote your body’s natural production of collagen, which will improve skin elasticity. The instructions recommend taking on an empty stomach for best results.
Osavi is a brand I had not heard of before and are health, nutrition, and food supplements company who focus on creating supplements which are high quality and pure. They just launched two different collagen formulas, one for tendons and ligaments* and another for joints and bones*. These products use collagen peptides (the collagen protein has been hydrolysed). Osavi also shared with me that their Tendons & Ligaments collagen is formulated using patented TENDOFORTE® bovine[i] bioactive collagen peptides, made by world-leading producer Gelita[ii], which are optimised to stimulate the production of collagen in the body. TENDOFORTE stimulates the biosynthesis of new extracellular matrix molecules, reducing the risk of injuries and rupture of ligaments and tendons. TENDOFORTE® is clinically proven to increase tendon strength and flexibility, reduce the risk of injury and result in a faster return to training. I was impressed by the clinical trial results they shared with me that highlighted the effectiveness of TENDOFORTE®. I have high hopes for this one because as a runner, I am always getting injured!
Lastly, I went to MyProtein to see what they had to offer because they always have sales and who isn’t trying to save money these days? I bought their collagen capsules and also was intrigued by their collagen gummies so I bought both (on sale).
Whenever I try a product for review, I make sure to test it for a while before passing judgement and my opinions on to you. With collagen, it is a bit tricky because I wasn’t expecting to see any effects within the first 30 days. I decided to start with Arbonne Skin Elixir because I bought it and it came with a 30 day guarantee. It was one of the few products I was testing that had a flavor, acai, which is very mild. I have the Skin Elixir with my breakfast and had initially had trouble getting it to dissolve in about 400 ml of water. It is easier if you add the sachet to the glass, THEN the water. Who knew? Having an extra glass of water to start my day helped wake me up a bit. It has now been 30 days and unfortunately, I have not noticed any difference. This is to be expected, however, and if I didn’t have so many other products to try, I would stick with it for another month. Arbonne have me a second box as a free gift with my order, so I am saving it for the end of all this product testing. If you would like to try it, you can use the code ARBONNE10 for 10% off your purchase.
This week, I started taking both Osavi products which will give me the recommended 10g a day, per Dr. Patel. I was told I can take a serving of each type every day. This morning, I added one to my porridge and this evening, I added the other to my coconut yogurt. It truly does not have a taste and I didn’t notice any changes in the food texture either. So far, that is a good start!
How do they compare?
Below is a chart I made to summarize the major differences between all the products I will be testing (please note the pricing is from April 2023 and may have changed since publication). Dr. Patel shared that although there are no specific trials to support added ingredients in collagen supplements, in the body, lysine and vitamin C work together with collagen to help keep connective tissue and joints strong and healthy. Therefore, they might be something to look for on the label. You will have to keep checking back to this post to see how the other products compare as I try each one for 30 days.
Finally, Dr. Patel said that collagen can be absorbed in all forms, but studies show that more is absorbed per gram in the powder form, as there are not other additional substances added to it. There seems to be a variety of ingredients in the products I am trying, as you can see above. The convenience of a capsule or gummy appeals to me, but if something works there is no reason not to be able to stick with it. Dissolving a powder into a glass of water doesn’t take too much time.
What are you thoughts on collagen supplements? How long did it take you to see a noticeable result? Which form do you prefer (powder, capsule, other)? Leave a comment below and let me know.
*Thanks to Planthaya and Osavi for the complimentary samples. All opinion are honest and my own.
[i] Osavi’s Bovine collagens are clinically tested collagen peptides that target specific needs, which are kosher, and halal certified.
[ii] TENDOFORTE® is made by Gelita. Gelita is a German producer that is the world’s leading supplier of collagen proteins for the food, medical and pharmaceutical industries. The brand works in the market since 1875, currently having factories on five continents, more than 20 plants production and 2.8 thousand employees all over the world.
by Mollie Millington | Sep 8, 2022 | health
The question I keep asking myself is is this all happening because of Covid and being a mom to Maple? The weigh gain, the tiredness, the poor sleep, the brain fog, the stress incontinence. More and more women are having strange reactions to long-term Covid, to Covid vaccinations, to the stress of the pandemic. Or are we just of a certain age and preparing for ‘The Change’?
If you are in your early to mid-40s, are you experiencing any of these things? Because I am! It has been a real struggle, blaming Maple not sleeping through the night (she only gets up once now rather than four times) as well as the general stress of work and world news. I spoke to my mom and she didn’t go through menopause symptoms this early. I went to the doctor in the spring for some advice and have since been taking some time to look for tools to help me navigate this new territory. I thought I would share what I have found to help those who are experiencing some of these too.
Here is a list of the tools in my toolbox so far. If you have any specific questions about them or can suggest other products, please leave a comment below. Knowledge is power!
Squeezy app- Recommended to me by my NHS pelvic floor physiotherapist to help address my stress incontinence (which has gotten worse with hormonal changes). It costs £2.99 and worth every cent (if you use it). I like that it give me pop up reminders and works off line, so I can use on the Tube.
Forth hormone test *- This is what actually flagged to me that my hormones might be out of wack. Even though I showed the report to my doctor, she sent me for a one-off NHS blood test that didn’t matter what day my cycle was on. This test said my hormone levels where normal (thyroid too) so I was denied hormone replacement therapy. This report and meeting with their endocrinologist was very educational.
MPowder – This was recommended to me by a neighbor who saw my Instagram post about perimenopause. She has found it made a her difference to her so I bought a month supply. I took this supplement powder every day for the first twice weeks until I figured out that having it at dinnertime was kept me up at night (it is quite a boost!). I am working on fitting into my morning routine at work. I haven’t seen a big improvement yet, but the company is very personable and communicative, with a Facebook group for all their customers. They text me on Sundays to see how my symptoms are and reached out to see if there was anything else they could do to support me. There is probably two weeks left in my bag so I need to stick to it to see the benefits. If you want £10 off, let me know (mollie@ptmollie.com) and I can send you my code. (disclosure: I will get £10 credit too).
Next Level by Stacy T. Sims – This book breaks down the scientific evidence about menopause and sports into manageable chunks. If you are interested in knowing how hormone changes will affect your training and recovery, as well as how to keep fit throughout ‘The Change,’ this is a must. I am only halfway through but have learned a lot so far.
Perfectly Me 4Menopause drink* – This is a new product on the market that recently reached out to me (they also have a Mum2Be drink with ginger to help with nausea, FYI). This supplement drink is only 150ml to make it easier to consume during a busy day. The key ingredients include sage, vitamins B5, B1, and B12 and the flavor is a mix of cranberry and raspberry (very yummy!). It is fizzy but has zero-sugar. The company rep told a story how a woman in the office, Linda, said it has really helped her with her menopause symptoms. How is that for an endorsement! Manufactured by Clearly Drinks, Perfectly Me aims to support health conscious women by providing daily supplements for complete inner health and wellbeing.
NGX personalized nutrition * – NGX reached out to me when they read on social media that I was having trouble loosing weight. Their USP is that they offer genetic screening (via a cheek swab) that influences what ingredients goes into your custom meal replacement shake. I am also lucky enough to be meeting with one of their nutritionists, Becca, to develop a food strategy. After submitting a three day food diary and lots of paperwork about my health history and what I want to work on (weight loss and energy levels), I met with Becca today to review this in conjunction with my DNA test results. The personalized powder has arrived and Becca will send me my meal plan tomorrow. Avoiding meal prep will save me some time which I can use on exercise or the blog. Win-win!
Small rechargeable fan – We stayed at a friends’ house a few weeks ago and they put this small fan in my room because their top floor bedroom where we were sleeping was very hot due to this crazy record-breaking British summer. Normally when I sleep, I am freezing cold with extra layers on (and socks!). Then about a year ago, I would go to bed cold and then wake up hot and sweating. It just seemed like my body couldn’t regulate its temperature (should have been a big clue!). But this summer was extremely hot (for the UK) and the temps have lasted for months (unusual for the UK) that means I have had an oscillating fan on every night at home (much to James’ chagrin) to help me sleep. This alternative fan will help both of us sleep better at night. It is small but powerful. With three settings and even a ‘night light’ feature, I can have it next to me on the nightstand without James feeling the breeze. Because it is rechargeable/cordless, I even used it in my tent when I camped in the backyard last weekend. It is also handy to put it next to my indoor bike and James can use it in his home office. Worth every penny!
My Menopause Companion- Someone I know from the London running community, Ellie, sent me a link to her six-week interactive online course which starts on 12 September. This course has four experts to guide you through the different aspects an influences of menopause (nutrition, exercise, physiological, and hormonal) and how to use these tools to feel better during the transition. It has even been delivered to NHS employees to help educate staff. While I am not in full-blown menopause yet, this is a good opportunity to continue learning about menopause and get answers to any questions I may have at the end of each one hour lesson. Please consider joining me so we can keep the conversation going and empower ourselves with knowledge!
Thinking Slimmer- These podcasts have been something I dip in and out of over the last ten years. I reached out Thinking Slimmer’s founder, Sandra, to see if she thought her recordings would help with perimenopausal symptoms as these symptoms are influenced by hormones. She said:
So many women find themselves gaining weight in their late 40s and 50s and it’s often the effects of the menopause. But there IS something you can do about it!! The body goes through huge changes and hormonal shifts at this time. These shifts can lead to increased stress levels and also sleeplessness. All of this combined leads to weight gain. It’s not only about your ovaries and the female hormones, scientists have found it’s really common to see an increase in cortisol, the stress hormone. This results in more visceral fat storage which is why women can experience more belly fat. Then as if this isn’t bad enough, it can also lead to insulin resistance because of higher blood sugar levels. This is also a cause of fat storage.
It’s really important you focus on self care and how you feel. Rather than being totally stressed by what the scales say, look at the individual parts that can be worked on to start managing the process because it can be done. The main things to focus on are your nutrition, exercise, sleep and stress levels. They all play a really important part in reducing the effects of the menopause. The Slimpod programme helps with all four areas and empowers you to take back control, lose weight and keep it off.
You can take advantage of a seven day free trial of Thinking Slimmer here. It can take a while for some people to see a result, so keep listening to those recordings. You can read a lot more from about personal experiences in the client Facebook group too.
While I am not sure if any or all of these will work for me, I am hopefully and willing to try just about anything! My plan is to keep track of the above strategies and symptoms and then go back to my GP with documented evidence to lobby for HRT at the end of the year. I really hope we can keep the conversation going so we can help each other navigate this next chapter.
This post contains affiliate links, which costs nothing additional to the buyer. The fee from each sale goes to maintaining this website.
* complementary product offered in exchange for an honest review
by Mollie Millington | Jun 15, 2022 | health, product review
The availability of at-home health tests has made it much easier for me to check in with my body. While I am grateful for the NHS, it isn’t designed to provide tests for every ache and pain I experience. The US system (which is by no means better) is about profit and therefore allows for blood work and other diagnostic tests much more easily.
Writing this blog has allowed me to try at home testing with Fitness Genes DNA analysis and have a food intolerance test. The explosion of Covid has also made home testing much more common place, with both rapid rests and popping a blood sample in the post. I had Covid antibody test in 2020 to be confident I had not contracted Covid yet. After two years of weight gain and poor sleep, both of which we blamed on getting a puppy, I felt it was time to look into a menopause diagnosis after having my period four times in two months. Period cycles can also be affected by stress, which has also been omnipresent since the pandemic started so it hard to determine what was going on with my body. (I have always had trouble regulating my body temperature too.) I recently learned that brain fog is another symptom of menopause.
When I heard about Forth, I knew it was exactly what I was looking for. They offer different types of home tests in the following categories:
- Wellness
- Nutrition
- Hormone tests
- Mental health
- Sports tests
I went for the women’s hormone check which includes a written report and a private call with the endocrinologist that leads Forth’s research program. It took a few days to find a time when Dr. Nicky was available, as she had a few deadlines to meet. We talked for nearly an hour, both to review my personal report and to discuss all things hormones. I highly recommend taking advantage of this aspect of Forth’s kits. You would pay on average about £300 for an initial consultation with an endocrinologist (that is before you even have blood work done) where with the £129 fee for the advanced perimenopause test included a 1-2-1- call with Dr. Nicky. And Dr. Nicky wants to hear from her Forth patients more.
Dr. Nicky used her 30 years of experience in the field to help design the report you receive with the advanced perimenopausal test. The report includes graphics to show average test results and where you fall on them, plus written descriptions of how to interpret the results. Dr. Nicky is so passionate about Forth’s services, she reviews every report before it is sent to ensure that the automated suggestions also take into account the lifestyle factors submitted by the patient.
On our call, I briefly explained to Dr. Nicky the symptoms that caused my interest in the test (I also submitted these when registering my kit). She agreed that the patterns I was seeing could be do to stress (thanks Covid), in which case the brain elicits a certain response, or the ovaries are not working properly. My low progesterone score indicates my ovaries were not working. If my FSH and LH were low, it would indicate that my brain is signalling to my pituitary gland to switch off. However, my FSH is high which indicates my brain is switched on. Therefore my ovaries are slacking. Dr. Nicky concluded that I am perimenopausal.
Menopause is defined by absence of periods for a year, which then lead to the start of hormone replacement therapy (HRT). It typically starts when a women is between 45-55 years of age. Nowadays, HRT is often started before this clinical definition. Dr. Nicky feels there is no need for women to suffer when treatment is available. HRT can help ease uncomfortable symptoms often associated with menopause. It is important to discuss risk factors and medical history with your GP when choosing the best type of HRT (transdermal vs tablets). I have a blood clotting disorder which prevented me from taking hormonal birth control. Therefore, I need to ensure my GP and I research what the best option is for me (probably transdermal). There is an increased risk of breast cancer when taking HRT, which studies have shown can be decreased by exercised two and a half hours per week.
Dr. Nicky said that lifestyle factors have affect your score with the Forth test and can help manage your symptoms too. Exercise, nutrition, and sleep quality are very important in all aspects of your health and wellbeing. She is advocating as a member of the British Menopause Society to help educate the public and GPs more on menopause, symptoms, and treatment options. I actually have a call with my doctor today to discuss the Forth report and see if I can start HRT soon. In July, I will have more time to regular exercise too, including weight training. These should help boost my metabolism to help with weight loss. I hope exercise will also help me fall asleep faster and improve my sleep quality. To be thorough, I also made an appointment with my GP to enquire about HRT. The doctor was not convinced at first based on my presenting symptoms and age bracket. However, after sending my Forth report, I have a referral for bloodwork to be done.
The Forth at home test for perimenopause has been eye opening for me. It has been the catalyst to have blood work done by the NHS. I hope by sharing my story, we can remove some of the stigma around menopause and learn more about the journey together.
Thanks to Forth Life for the complimentary test kit. All opinions are honest and my own.
by Mollie Millington | Jun 25, 2021 | health, sponsored post
The sun is finally starting to make an appearance here in London. And so is the pollen. With this, many of my neighbours and friends are experiencing itchy eyes as they picnic in the park. While my colleagues are finding the air conditioning and screen time are making their eyes dry. There are many other things that can affect eye health, such as smoking, what you eat, high blood pressure, stress, lack of sleep and old age. When the eye blinks (on average every 3 to 4 seconds), the result is tear film which helps wash away any debris, protects the surface of the eye, and nourishes the eye too.
Sometimes, dry eye can occur due to inflammation if the eyes don’t blink enough (for example, when working at a computer screen, you only blink about once every 20 seconds which is 5 times less frequent than normal), or if your eye isn’t producing the lubricants it is supposed to. Believe it or not, 20% of adults have dry eye. You could have it and might not even know it! If you have the following symptoms, you might be one of them:
- tired eyes*
- watery eyes
- gritty sore eyes*
- irritated eyes
- feeling like something is stuck in your eye*
- contact lenses are uncomfortable to wear
- blurry vision that can be corrected with blinking
Of course, there are a few ways of protecting your eyes but some things, such as avoiding computer screens, are not easy to do. Eating a diet rich in Omega-3 fatty acids and staying hydrated are the easy options. Avoiding air conditioning, wearing sunglasses, and taking regular breaks from your computer are other actions that can help your eyes stay healthy. I always have my sunglasses on hand just in case the sun makes an appearance in London.
Sometimes, you may need to help your eyes if they get irritated, even if you can’t figure out what caused it. If you are experiencing blepharitis (*some symptoms above), you may need to take action. I will likely experience blepharitis at some point as people with eczema are more likely to suffer from it. Warming and gently massaging the eyelids will help the Meibomian Glands secrete lubrication. Blephaclean wipes and Blephasol Duo are both available from Théa to help if the massage isn’t enough on its own. One of the reasons I love Théa is because their products are preservative-free, perfume-free and paraben-free. This is really important for me because I am allergic to preservative-releasing chemicals. These chemicals are often in make up, lotions, shampoo, laundry detergent, hair dye, even soap! I hate trying new beauty products because I never know how my skin will react. Obviously, I would be even more cautious trying something with my eyes. I can’t just pick anything off the shelf or use something from the medicine cabinet. Having a stash of Blephaclean wipes in my bag means I don’t have to worry. Blephasol Duo can be used as an eye makeup remover too (it even comes with lint free pads).
After cleaning your eyes with Blephaclean, Thealoz Duo can be applied to lubricate and hydrate to offer long-lasting protection. Thealoz Duo is also suitable for those with dry eye and is preservative free too. It can’t hurt to have a bottle near your desk for those days when you are stuck looking at the screen all day to meet a deadline. These drops can also be worn by contact lens wearers.
I had no idea that eye health becomes more important as you age. Now that I have identified products that work for my eyes, I will definitely try to keep better care of them. If you have some issues with your eyes, check out the Théa symptom checker and see if they have something that can help you.
This post was sponsored by Théa and Your Eye Health. All opinions are honest and my own. Facts about eye health found in Théa Pharmaceuticals. 2019. “Keeping Your Eyes Comfortable”.
by Mollie Millington | Feb 11, 2021 | health, product review
This post contains photos of my ears and the wax. If that grosses you out, you might want to avoid the lower half of this post.
When I was in kindergarten, my parents had my hearing check because I was loud. At the time, my hearing was fine. I did need to go to my paediatrician a few times though to have ear wax removed though as I grew up. I remember it performed using a water pick of some sort and the wax looked like chocolate chips. Over the years, and especially since moving to the UK, I have struggled to hear people in pubs or while at work (where there are lots of pumps running in the background). I even went to my doctor to ask about a hearing test because I was tired of asking people to repeat themselves. He looked in my ears and said there was too much wax to request a test. Unless I had the wax removed, he would not refer me. I tried to remember to add olive oil drops into my ears daily, but kept forgetting. There never seems a good time to lay down without risking oil stains on my pillowcase.
The overproduction of ear wax seems to run in my family. My grandfather had this issue too and once he got hearing aids, it became more of a problem. I now know not to stick anything sharper than my elbow into my ear, but I also admit that in college I used cotton buds (Q-tips for you Americans) to clean out my ears daily. I don’t use anything now to clean my ears aside from warm water in the shower. Last summer, when I was swimming on a weekly basis, I was worried that I would get water caught in my ear behind the wax. This had happened years ago and was not very pleasant. But I lucked out this time.
With the Covid-19 situation, doctor offices are reluctant to see someone in person if the situation is not critical. I completely understand this. Since the first UK lockdown in March 2020, I have had one telephone appointment for my skin condition and had to text over a photo, but any concerns about the ear would probably have to be in person.
When I heard about Auris Ear Care, I knew this was the perfect solution for me and my ear wax issues. Auris Ear Care is a mobile ear cleaning clinic that not only removes wax, but foreign objects too. So if your kid gets something lodged in their ear, you don’t need to go to the emergency room to have it removed. You can have it done in the comfort of your own home. The Auris Ear Care ear, nose, and throat doctor also offer ear infection treatments, prescribe medication for it, and take microbiological ear swabs if needed.
Scheduling the appointment was very simple and I was given an appointment within 24 hours. This may have been to my geographic location as Dr. Rampuri was in East London the following day. He even called to say he was running ahead of schedule and could come by earlier. That worked out perfectly for me because I was working from home and had two meetings scheduled after my appointment was due to end. Dr. Rampuri arrived wearing a mask and gloves. My husband and I decided to also wear masks because we would be in close proximity to Dr. Rampuri and didn’t want to risk Covid spread (I wipes all used surfaces and doorknobs after Dr. Rampuri left). A small table and cleaning station was quickly set up before we reviewed my medical history. I signed a release form (there is less than 5% risk of something going wrong) and then it was time to look in my ears. Dr. Rampuri didn’t even need an otoscope to confirm they were full of wax.
This little machine allows for the microsuction of the ear wax and is much safer that other methods, such as candling, syringing, or irrigation. Dr. Rampuri tested the suction on my cheek first so I could because acclimatized to the feeling. It didn’t feel very strong against my skin, but in my ear I could feel and hear the wax slowly being pulled away from the ear canal. The procedure didn’t hurt, just felt a bit weird (because how often have you had suction in your ear canal?).
The above is what was lodged in my right ear. My left ear had a little bit less. Each ear only took a few minutes to clean out. Most of Auris Ear Care appointments take 20 minutes or less in total. Dr. Rampuri suggests that everyone should have their ears examined on a yearly basis. I am going to try to keep up an olive oil regime of 1-2 drops on a weekly basis to try to keep things a bit more clear in there. While he was at the house, Dr. Rampuri suggested looking at James’ ears. Apparently, some people get so used to having wax blockage, they don’t even notice the difference after a while. Of course, James’ ears had a normal amount of wax and didn’t need any suction. I will always be the odd one.
Sadly, I don’t think my hearing had dramatically improved since having all the wax removed. Therefore, I have a hearing test scheduled on Tuesday. Both Auris Ear Care at-home visits and hearing tests in general are still allowed under current UK lockdown rules as as essential appointments because ear problems can cause pain and dizziness.
Overall, I was very impressed with the Auris Ear Care at-home service. Dr. Rampuri and the team were very attentive and knowledgeable. I tend to prefer at-home treatments (like the IV Doc and Urban Massage) if possible as it takes the stress away from travelling to and from the office. My only constructive feedback is that Dr. Rampuri didn’t offer to take off his shoes or have overshoes to cover them up when he entered my home. While my house is full of dirt from muddy dog paws, other clients may have been concerned because it has snowed that day. James didn’t think it was a concern so not everybody may mind.
How often do you clean your ears? Would you prefer to have an at-home treatment for something like this or go to an office?
Thanks to Auris Ear Care for the complimentary service. All opinions are honest and my own.
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