Menopause is a natural transition that all women experience as they age. The years leading up to menopause are called perimenopause. This transition time can last for several years.
Menopause occurs when a woman's ovaries stop releasing eggs. This causes estrogen and progesterone levels to decline. Typically, menopause happens between the ages of 45-55. The average age is 51.
Many women experience bothersome signs and symptoms during menopause. Common complaints include:
Hormone therapy can provide relief for menopause symptoms. Estrogen and progesterone therapy may:
Estrogen is excellent for decreasing the severity and frequency of hot flashes and night sweats. Many women find great relief with hormone treatment.
Estrogen enhances communication between brain cells. This can lead to elevated mood, reduced anxiety and enhanced cognition.
Estrogen plays an important role in bone health. Hormone therapy reduces bone loss and risk of osteoporosis.
Starting treatment early in menopause and continuing long term use has been associated with a decreased risk of heart disease.
Topical estrogen helps improve vaginal pH and reverses negative tissue changes. This alleviates dryness, pain, itching and discomfort.
There are two main types of hormone therapy:
Used alone if a women has had a hysterectomy. Estrogen can be taken as a pill, patch, gel or vaginal ring.
Includes both estrogen and progesterone if a woman still has her uterus. The progesterone protects against uterine cancer.
These identical synthetic hormones have the same molecular structure as hormones made in the body. There are fewer side effects.
The dosage, formulation and delivery method can be customized to meet each patient's needs and preferences.
It's understandable to have concerns about using hormone therapy. However, the benefits outweigh the risks for the majority of patients. There are several important reasons to consider treatment:
For many women, menopausal symptoms significantly impact daily life. Therapy can help women feel like themselves again.
Estrogen plays protective roles for the bones, heart, brain, skin and hair. Treatment reduces risk of osteoporosis and heart disease.
Hormone changes affect every system in the body. Balancing hormones often leads to lower stress and enhanced mood and cognition.
Unlike hormone therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy has been found in studies to effectively reduce menopause symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats without negative side effects. CBT helps women change thoughts, behaviors and perceptions related to menopause and has longer lasting benefits on mood and outlook than medication alone.
There are several reasons estrogen and progesterone levels decline leading up to and during menopause:
Egg follicles in the ovaries decrease as part of natural aging. This lowers production of most reproductive hormones.
Surgical removal of the uterus or ovaries induces sudden menopause regardless of a woman's age.
Studies show heredity plays a role in menopause timing. Environmental toxins may accelerate ovarian decline.
Certain disorders like lupus, thyroid problems and diabetes can trigger early or premature menopause.
Chemotherapy, radiation therapy and some medications damage egg follicles speeding the onset of menopause.
Accurately assessing a woman's hormone status is key for developing an effective treatment plan. Testing provides objective data to monitor progress over time. At minimum, initial blood tests should evaluate the following hormones:
This is considered the most potent, abundant and important form of estrogen. Normal ranges adjust throughout the menstrual cycle.
This pituitary hormone regulates development and release of mature eggs from the ovaries. High FSH indicates ovarian function decline.
Small amounts come from the adrenal glands and ovaries. This hormone plays important roles in sex drive, lean muscle mass, bone density and mood stability.
Customized bioidentical hormone therapy can successfully treat troublesome menopausal symptoms. Therapy works by:
Carefully calculated dosages normalize estrogen and progesterone to pre-menopausal levels. This alleviates deficiency issues.
Steady hormone levels reduce intensity and unpredictability of hot flashes keeping women comfortable.
Estrogen amplifies neurotransmitter activity improving mood, memory, focus, learning and cognition.
Achieving ideal hormone balance empowers women to feel healthy and in control again. We utilize cutting edge testing and only prescribe bioidentical hormones to mimic what the body produces naturally. Schedule a consultation today to discuss your treatment options.
Nutrition, movement, community connections and stress reduction all support hormone health. Here are some tips:
Add soy, flaxseeds, oats, apples, beets & herbs like licorice root and red clover to boost estrogen naturally.
Alternate between higher and lower intensity movements to build endurance and burn fat.
Connect with other women going through menopause and share advice for thriving.
Carve out time for self-care through yoga, meditation, reading or other hobbies you enjoy.
Balancing proper rest, nutrition and activity keeps your hormones happy. Don't overlook mental health either. Share feelings openly with loved ones. Monitor inner thoughts for negativity. Cultivate personal growth and purpose.
Stockbridge is a vibrant small town offering easy access to fitness activities, holistic services, social connection opportunities and healthy dining. Here are some favorites:
A full service gym with group classes like yoga, cycling and kickboxing.
Massage, facials and energy treatments promote whole body relaxation.
Clubs, classes and volunteer projects bring residents together.
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