Sweats, Sleep, and Sanity
Menopause: Understanding Symptoms and Holistic Solutions
Menopause marks a significant transition in a woman’s life, signaling the end of her reproductive years. It is a natural part of aging, a survey from 2023 found that around 30 percent of menopausal or postmenopausal women in the United States stated they started menopause between the ages 50 and 54. A survey found 45 percent of older women in the United States said menopause had impacted their sleep severely. One in three reported their mental health or mood had been seriously impacted by menopause.
The symptoms associated with menopause can vary widely from woman to woman, impacting physical, emotional, and mental well-being. In this article, we’ll delve into what menopause is, its symptoms, and its stages, and explore holistic solutions such as hormone balancing.
Menopause: What is it?
During menopause, a natural biological transition, a woman’s body undergoes significant changes. It marks the end of her reproductive years as her ovaries gradually stop producing eggs, and her menstrual cycle comes to a halt. This phase usually occurs between the ages of 45 and 55, although it can vary for each individual, with the average age of onset being around 51. Throughout menopause, hormone levels, notably estrogen and progesterone, experience fluctuations, triggering a wide array of symptoms that can affect a woman’s physical, emotional, and mental well-being. These hormonal shifts contribute to the onset of symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, and changes in vaginal health. Understanding the intricacies of menopause is crucial for women as they navigate this transformative phase in their lives.
Common Menopause Symptoms:
Menopause symptoms can vary in severity and duration, but some of the most common ones include:
- Hot flashes
- Moodiness
- Depression
- Low libido
- Sleep problems
- Memory loss
- Weight gain
- Anxiety
- Increased skin wrinkling
- Fatigue
- Night sweats
- Thinning bones
Women going through perimenopause or menopause run the risk of developing estrogen dominance. The increasingly popular term, “estrogen dominant,” does not mean that women have too much estrogen. Rather, it indicates that they have too little progesterone in relation to their estrogen levels, even if the estrogen level is also low. There is an ideal ratio between the two hormones. Women can have normal or even low levels of estrogen, but when they have diminished levels of progesterone, estrogen dominance results.
Because estrogen is a proliferative (cell-growing) hormone, too much of it without progesterone to balance it will cause problems, such as:
- Fibrocystic breast disease
- Water retention
- Heavy or irregular periods
- Endometriosis
- Breast or uterine cancer
- Hypothyroidism symptoms
- Migraines
- Belly weight gain
- Bone and mineral loss
Balancing hormones with our perimenopause or menopause treatment and hormone replacement therapy can prevent estrogen dominance – along with the many health concerns associated with it.
Stages of Menopause: How Do I Know What Stage I’m In?
Menopause is divided into three stages: perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause.
– Perimenopause: This stage begins several years before menopause when hormone levels start to fluctuate. Symptoms may include irregular periods, hot flashes, and mood swings.
– Menopause: Menopause is officially diagnosed when a woman has gone 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period. At this stage, symptoms like hot flashes and vaginal dryness may peak.
– Postmenopause: Postmenopause refers to the years following menopause. Hormone levels stabilize, and many menopausal symptoms diminish, although some, like vaginal dryness, may persist.
What is the Biggest Symptom of Menopause?
While all menopause symptoms can significantly impact a woman’s quality of life, hot flashes are often considered the most prominent and disruptive symptom. Hot flashes are sudden feelings of intense heat, usually accompanied by sweating and flushing of the face and neck. They can occur at any time of day or night, leading to discomfort and sleep disturbances.
Dr. Anju Mathur specializes in menopause and perimenopause treatment using natural bioidentical hormones. “Empowering women through personalized care tailored to their specific needs is at the heart of my practice. By specializing in menopause and perimenopause treatment using natural bioidentical hormones, I aim to provide women with safe and effective solutions that promote hormonal balance, vitality, and overall well-being during this transformative stage of life.” – Dr. Anju Mathur
Holistic Solutions: Hormone Balancing
Hormone balancing is a holistic approach to managing menopause symptoms that focuses on restoring hormonal equilibrium through lifestyle changes, dietary modifications, and natural therapies. Here are some holistic solutions for hormone balancing:
Joann Wortham got help from Dr Anju Mather
“My memory came back, My confidence came back because I wasn’t sweating constantly….”
Dietary Changes: Consuming a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats can help support hormonal balance and overall well-being. Avoiding processed foods, sugary snacks, and excessive caffeine and alcohol can also be beneficial.
Regular Exercise: Engaging in regular physical activity, such as walking, swimming, yoga, or strength training, can help alleviate menopause symptoms like hot flashes, mood swings, and weight gain. Exercise also promotes better sleep and reduces stress.
Stress Management: Practicing relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, mindfulness, or yoga can help reduce stress levels and improve overall resilience during menopause.
Supplementation: Certain supplements, such as black cohosh, evening primrose oil, and soy isoflavones, have been found to alleviate menopausal symptoms in some women. However, it’s essential to consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement regimen.
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): For women experiencing severe menopausal symptoms, hormone replacement therapy may be recommended. HRT involves replacing declining hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone, with synthetic or bioidentical hormones to alleviate symptoms.
In conclusion, menopause is a natural phase of life that can bring about a range of symptoms that vary from woman to woman. By understanding the stages of menopause, recognizing common symptoms, and exploring holistic solutions like hormone balancing, women can navigate this transition with greater ease and optimize their overall health and well-being. Contact us today for an appointment.
