Tag: hormone replacement therapy

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.

Is it true that a woman’s sex drive decreases dramatically after menopause?

Not that long ago, menopause, or, as it was commonly called in voices lowered so as not to be any more offensive than necessary, “the change”, was discussed in much the same way as a terminal illness. Even though everyone knew that it was a state that all women transition into as hormone production slows and menstrual cycles come to an end, menopause had long been treated as something shameful. Something to hide. Definitely not a topic to be openly discussed.
Times have changed! While it is still a struggle for some women to embrace the fact that they are entering a stage in their lives that signals aging and the end of their ability to conceive, many more are looking to this time as a positive change; a time of increased possibilities and freedom.
Menopause is no longer looked at as the beginning of the end for a woman, the loss of her vibrancy, femininity and attractiveness. It is simply a natural transition in which the ovaries no longer produce estrogen and progesterone. The symptoms that go with this hormonal decrease can include temporary periods of irritability, moodiness, hot flashes and depression. The severity of these symptoms differ from one woman to the next and may range from mild to severe. On the flip side, however, there is also a sense of freedom that comes from no longer having to worry about the potential of becoming pregnant, plus anticipation about the new possibilities opening up in this next stage of life.

Is a Woman’s Sex Life Over After Menopause?

One previously assumed effect of a woman being postmenopausal that is not being accepted by a growing number of women is that they can no longer have a vibrant and satisfying sex life. In the past, most women assumed or were told that they should expect a loss of sexual desire, as well as sex becoming less satisfying, once they became postmenopausal.
But is that true? Statistics do show that sexual activity decreases with age, but is it due to menopause?
The drop in hormonal levels can definitely affect libido. This can also lead to vaginal dryness. This makes intercourse painful, which, by itself, can promote avoidance. Although this is a serious issue, it is also easily overcome with a variety of lubrication products that are readily available.
The truth is, there are many reasons for the decline in the frequency and level of desire for sexual activity in women who have reached the postmenopausal years. Some of the more common causes include:

• Issues with incontinence or bladder control
• Difficulty with sleeping through the night which creates ongoing fatigue
• Anxiety
• Chronic stress
• Depression
• Prescribed medications, especially those for high blood pressure that come with the side effect of lowering sexual desire
• Health concerns, like cancer, stroke, heart attack or other serious conditions
• Relationship issues with spouse or partner

The answer to the question of whether a woman has to give up on having a satisfying sex life after menopause is “no”. There may be issues, physical, emotional and situational, that are affecting the desire for and pleasure derived from sexual activity, but these will vary from one woman to another and that is how they need to be addressed. For each factor creating an issue, there may be a variety of ways to overcome or compensate for the problem.
What women really want are answers. Not the ones that were blindly accepted by women in the past but answers for them, personally. They also want to be able to talk openly about all of this with their healthcare professional and get recommendations and solutions based on today’s science.

The Southern California Center for Anti-Aging focuses on the practice of advanced, preventive and regenerative medicine. We strongly believe correcting imbalances and deficiencies in nutrition, along with improving fitness and balancing and restoring hormones with Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy, can help with creating 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.

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What are the benefits of glutathione and how does it help with aging?

“Glutathione is the most important molecule you need to stay healthy and prevent aging, cancer, heart disease, dementia and more, and necessary to treat everything from autism to Alzheimer’s disease. I called it the mother of all antioxidants.” Mark Hyman, MD, Director of Cleveland Clinic’s Center for Functional Medicine

Most of us may not be able to describe exactly what free radicals are or how they operate, but we have heard so much about them in recent years that we know they can cause damage to our bodies at the cellular level and interfere with DNA. We also know that our best defense against these harmful molecules are antioxidants, and we may be familiar with the better known ones, like vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene, lutein, lycopene and selenium. But, what some refer to as the “rock star” of antioxidants is a compound that you may have never heard of; glutathione.  
Health professionals recognize the many benefits of antioxidants and glutathione, in particular. Just some of the benefits that are believed to be associated with glutathione include:

• Neutralizes free radicals
• Reduces toxicity of chemicals, pollutants and drugs
• Slows aging processes
• Reduces muscle damage
• Improves recovery time
• Increases strength and endurance
• Aids metabolism in muscle development
• May help prevent or slow the progression of conditions such as heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, Parkinson’s disease, type 2 diabetes, hepatitis and others

Does The Body Produce It’s Own Glutathione?

The good news is that the body produces its own glutathione, which consists of the protein-building amino acids, cysteine, glycine and glutamine. Glutathione contains sulfur, which is believed to be at the center of its superpowers. Because sulfur tends to be a sticky substance, as it moves through the body it attracts and hangs on to lots of things that are not good for us. These undesirables include substances like mercury, heavy metals and other damaging toxins. And, the sulfur in glutathione, gathers up free radicals and carries them out before they can accumulate to the point of causing oxidative stress, which is how they wreck such havoc in the cells.

What may be even more impressive about glutathione is that the body not only produces it, but it also recycles it in the liver so that it just keeps on working. Unfortunately, the not so good news is that glutathione is not indestructible. As we age, the production of glutathione begins to decline. Plus, the onslaught of the way we live our lives these days takes a heavy toll on this crucial antioxidant. Besides aging, just some of the things that deplete the body’s supply are:

• Stress
• Poor diet
• Pollution
• Drugs and medications
• Trauma
• Radiation and toxins
• Chemotherapy
• Infections

What happens to the body if the amount of Glutathione is low?

Without a healthy supply of glutathione, the liver becomes unable to keep up with its main job of removing toxins and our cells are vulnerable to the effects of free radicals and other types of infections and damage. There are ways to help the body maintain higher levels of glutathione. These include:

• Diet – eat foods that are high in sulfur and will help boost the body’s production of glutathione, like onions, garlic, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, watercress, collards, eggs, nuts, legumes and lean proteins.
• Exercise – try to get at least a moderate amount of exercise on a daily basis
• Sufficient sleep
• Supplements – take those supplements that work with and support glutathione, such as alpha lipoic acid, folate, vitamins B6, B12, C and E, selenium and milk thistle.

The Southern California Center for Anti-Aging focuses on the practice of advanced, preventive and regenerative medicine. We strongly believe correcting imbalances and deficiencies in nutrition, along with improving fitness and balancing and restoring hormones with Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy, can help with creating the foundation for a healthier and happier life. We use a wide range of advanced testing and analysis, including food allergy testing, to ensure the best results for our clients.

To learn more about our glutathione injections or if you have questions about any of our services, take advantage of our Free Consultation by filling out our convenient online form below.

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