Category: Menopause

Menopause, a natural phase in a woman’s life, often evokes mixed emotions ranging from relief to anxiety. The end of menstrual cycles signifies the end of reproductive years, typically between 45 and 55. Despite its inevitability, menopause remains shrouded in myths and misconceptions. This comprehensive guide aims to demystify menopause, shedding light on its symptoms, diagnosis, and many available treatment options. Welcome to your ultimate Menopause 101 Guide!

Understanding Menopause

What is Menopause?

The menopause, which occurs 12 months after a woman’s final menstrual period, marks the end of her reproductive years. The perimenopause, the time leading up to the menopause that can start several years before the actual menopause, is characterized by changes in the length, frequency, and flow of the menstrual cycle.  

The Phases of Menopause

• Perimenopause: This stage lasts till menopause and can start as early as the mid-30s. Hormone fluctuations result in irregular menstruation and symptoms such as hot flushes.
• Menopause: This marks the formal end of the menstrual cycle for 12 months. During this stage, progesterone and estrogen levels sharply decline.
• Postmenopause: This phase follows menopause and lasts the rest of a woman’s life. While many menopausal symptoms ease, the lower hormone levels can increase the risk of health conditions such as osteoporosis and heart disease.

Symptoms of Menopause

Physical Symptoms

• Hot Flashes: Sudden, intense feelings of heat that spread over the body, often accompanied by sweating and a red, flushed face.
• Night Sweats: Severe hot flashes that happen while you sleep, causing discomfort and disrupting your sleep.
• Irregular Periods: Changes in menstrual cycle patterns, including heavier or lighter bleeding, missed periods, or variations in cycle length.
• Vaginal Dryness: During sexual activity, decreased estrogen levels can cause dryness, itching, and discomfort.
• Weight Gain and Slowed Metabolism: Hormonal fluctuations can impact metabolism and weight distribution, facilitating weight gain.

Emotional and Cognitive Symptoms

• Mood Swings: Anxiety, sadness, and irritability can result from hormone fluctuations.
• Memory Problems: Many women report difficulty concentrating and memory lapses during menopause.
• Sleep Issues: Insomnia and other sleep disturbances are common, often exacerbated by night sweats.

Long-term Health Risks

• Osteoporosis: Reduced estrogen levels can lead to decreased bone density, increasing the risk of fractures.
• Cardiovascular Disease: Women who have gone through menopause are more likely to develop heart disease because of changes in blood vessel flexibility and cholesterol levels.
• Urinary Incontinence: Frequent urinary tract infections and urine incontinence might result from weakening pelvic floor muscles.

Diagnosing Menopause

Medical History and Symptom Review

A thorough medical history and discussing symptoms with a healthcare provider are crucial first steps in diagnosing menopause. This helps to rule out other conditions that might mimic menopausal symptoms.

Blood Tests

Blood tests can measure hormone levels, particularly follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and estrogen, to determine menopausal status. Elevated FSH and decreased estrogen levels are indicative of menopause.

Additional Diagnostic Tests

In some cases, doctors might recommend additional tests, such as thyroid function tests or lipid profiles, to rule out other conditions or assess overall health risks associated with menopause.

Treatment Options for Menopause

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)

What is HRT?

Hormone replacement therapy is the use of female hormone-containing drugs to replenish the hormones the body stops producing after menopause. Menopausal symptoms, including vaginal dryness and hot flashes, can be significantly reduced with HRT.

Types of HRT

1. Estrogen-only Therapy (ET): Suggested for female hysterectomy patients.
2. Estrogen-Progestin Therapy (EPT): blends progesterone and estrogen; ideal for women whose uteruses are still intact to prevent endometrial carcinoma.

Benefits of HRT

• Significant reduction in night sweats and hot flashes.
• Prevention of bone loss and reduction in fracture risk.
• Amelioration of mood and general wellbeing.

Risks and Side Effects

• A slight rise in breast cancer risk over time from prolonged use.
• Increased risk of blood clots and stroke.
• Side effects include nausea, bloating, and breast tenderness.

Non-Hormonal Treatments

Lifestyle Changes

• Diet and Exercise: Regular weight-bearing exercise combined with a well-balanced diet high in calcium and vitamin D can help control weight and strengthen bones.
• Stress Reduction: Techniques like yoga, meditation, and deep-breathing exercises can alleviate stress and enhance sleep quality.

Medications

• Antidepressants: Low doses of certain antidepressants can help reduce hot flashes and improve mood.
• Gabapentin: Originally used for treating seizures, gabapentin can help reduce hot flashes.
• Clonidine: A blood pressure medication that can also alleviate hot flashes.

Alternative and Complementary Therapies

Phytoestrogens

Phytoestrogens, which are plant-based substances that mimic estrogen in the body and can help lessen menopausal symptoms, are found in foods like flaxseed and soy.

Herbal Supplements

• Black Cohosh: Commonly used for hot flashes and night sweats.
• Red Clover: Contains phytoestrogens that may help with hot flashes.

Acupuncture

Specific research suggests acupuncture may help lessen hot flash frequency and intensity.

Personalized Treatment Approaches

Tailoring Treatment to Individual Needs

Every woman’s experience with menopause is unique, requiring personalized treatment plans that consider individual symptoms, health history, and preferences. Collaboration with healthcare providers is essential to determine the most effective and safe treatment options.

Monitoring and Adjusting Treatment

It’s essential to follow up with medical professionals regularly to assess the efficacy of therapies and make any required modifications. This ensures that the chosen treatment continues to meet the evolving needs of the woman during her menopausal journey.

Empowering Women Through Education and Support

The Importance of Education

Educating women about menopause empowers them to make informed decisions about their health. Knowledge about the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options allows women to navigate this life stage with confidence and control.

Building a Support Network

A strong support network, including family, friends, and healthcare providers, plays a vital role in managing menopausal symptoms. Support groups and online communities can provide additional emotional support and valuable information from others going through similar experiences.

Takeaway

Embrace Menopause with Confidence and Comfort. At The Anti-Aging Center at Make You Well, we transform menopause from a challenging phase into an empowering experience. Our holistic, personalized approach ensures you manage your symptoms and thrive during this new chapter of life. Don’t let menopause hold you back. Take the first step towards reclaiming your wellbeing and discovering the best version of yourself. Contact the Anti-Aging Center at Make You Well today to schedule your consultation. Because every woman deserves to feel her best, no matter her age. Anti Aging Center at Make You Well: Empowering Women Through Every Stage of Life.

Are there health risks related to the period known as post menopause?

Despite the fact that stand-up comedians and late night talk show hosts have always considered menopause or “the change” fair game for soliciting laughs, few women find the subject very funny. The anticipation of menopause, as well as its early stages, can produce a significant amount of anxiety related to not knowing what to expect and feeling totally out of control of the major changes happening within the body. Once menopause has actually set in, the symptoms associated with having a period are no longer a concern, but the new symptoms can range from mild to severe and include some or all of the following:

• Hot flashes that suddenly spread through the body like a wildfire and can strike at any time, day or night
• Night sweats that can result in the bedsheets becoming soaked with perspiration
• Cold flashes, a lesser-known side effect of menopause that are the result of decreasing estrogen levels causing the hypothalamus to trigger blood vessels in the skin to expand and cool the body to the point of shivering
• Vaginal dryness which makes sexual relations uncomfortable or painful
• Feeling an intense need to urinate and doing so far more frequently than normal
• Difficulty in falling and remaining asleep
• Emotional changes which can encompass a wide range of experiences, like mood swings, sadness, mild to extreme irritability, depression and memory issues
• Dryness experienced in the eyes and mouth, as well as on the skin

The period leading up to menopause, perimenopause, typically lasts around four years. The symptoms of menopause itself, which is officially diagnosed when periods have ceased for 12 consecutive months, last for an average of seven to eight years, although that number can range widely depending on race, ethnicity and when symptoms begin.
Post menopause is generally considered the stage after menopause and lasting for the rest of a woman’s life. Most of the symptoms of menopause are present in the beginning and gradually decrease during post menopause. During this period, women are at an increased risk of developing certain health conditions as a result of continued low levels of estrogen and progesterone. Some of these include:

• Cardiovascular disease – heart disease is the leading cause of death in women and when estrogen levels decrease the probability of developing cardiovascular issues increases
• Osteoporosis – this is probably the most well-known condition associated with menopause and is the result of a rapid rate of bone density loss due to lower hormonal levels
• Urinary incontinence – not only is the urge to urinate stronger and more frequent but the elasticity of the urinary tract changes, resulting in loss of control
• Sexual function changes – vaginal dryness and lowered libido are associated with decreased hormonal levels
• Weight gain – a common result of the slowing of the metabolism

While it would be hard to find any positives on the above list, the good news is that there are a wide variety of methods and treatments available to alleviate these symptoms and conditions. These include some combination of diet, nutritional supplements, exercise, stress reducing programs and hormone replacement therapy.
At the Southern California Center for Anti-Aging, we believe correcting imbalances and restoring hormones with Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy can help with symptoms associated with all stages of menopause, while also helping to create the foundation for a healthier and happier life.
To learn more about menopause or if you have questions about any of our services, take advantage of our Free Consultation by clicking here to use our convenient online form.