Menopause
What Is Menopause?
Menopause is a natural and significant transition for every woman, marking the end of menstruation and fertility. The average age for a woman to reach natural menopause is 51, but it can occur anytime between 31 and 65 years old. The timing of menopause can vary and is influenced by genetic factors.
The period leading up to menopause is known as perimenopause. This phase, which can begin as early as age 35, is characterized by a gradual decline in female hormone levels, leading to imbalances and symptoms such as irregular menstruation. A woman is considered to be in menopause when she has not had a period for 12 consecutive months. The period following menopause is referred to as postmenopause.
Factors Affecting Menopause
In addition to the natural decline of reproductive hormones associated with aging, menopause can be influenced by several factors:
-Surgery: A partial hysterectomy (removal of the uterus but not the ovaries) typically does not result in immediate menopause. However, a total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (TAHBSO), which involves the removal of the uterus, cervix, fallopian tubes, and ovaries, will lead to immediate menopausal symptoms.
-Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy: These treatments can damage the ovaries, leading to menopausal symptoms.
-Primary Ovarian Insufficiency: Approximately 8 percent of women may experience premature menopause, or symptoms occurring before the age of 40. This can result from primary ovarian insufficiency, a condition where the ovaries fail to produce sufficient reproductive hormones.
-Cigarette Smoking: There is a well-documented link between cigarette smoking and fertility issues. Studies indicate that women who smoke are generally less fertile than non-smokers and are three times more likely to take over a year to conceive.
-Obesity: Obesity can disrupt hormonal balance and lead to ovulation problems, affecting fertility.
-Epilepsy: Women with epilepsy are at a higher risk of experiencing premature ovarian failure (POF).
The Menopause to Postmenopause Transition
Natural menopause is known as the permanent ending of a woman’s menstrual cycle that is not brought on by any type of medical treatment.
The process is gradual and is described in three stages:
1. Perimenopause or “menopause transition.” When the ovaries start to gradually produce less estrogen, perimenopause can begin 8 to 10 years before menopause. In the last 1 to 2 years of perimenopause, the decline in estrogen and other hormones accelerates. At this stage, many women may experience unpleasant symptoms but they can still experience menstruation and can still get pregnant.
2. Menopause is the point in a woman’s life where she has not had a period for 12 consecutive months. At this stage, the ovaries have completely stop producing eggs and female sex hormones.
3. These are the remaining years in a woman’s life after menopause. During this stage, menopausal symptoms can ease for most women. However, postmenopausal women are at increased risk for various health conditions, such as osteoporosis and heart disease, because of lower estrogen levels.
Signs and Symptoms of Menopause
Menopausal symptoms can vary widely from woman to woman and are often exacerbated by poor nutrition, physical inactivity, prolonged stress, and exposure to environmental toxins.
Common symptoms of menopause may include:
Physical Symptoms
- Back pain, joint pain, or muscle pain
- Breast atrophy (shrinking)
- Breast swelling and tenderness
- Decreased skin elasticity
- Reduced frequency and intensity of orgasms
- Decreased sex drive
- Difficulty reaching orgasms
- Dry, thinning skin
- Fatigue
- Formication (itching, tingling, burning sensations, or the feeling of ants crawling on the skin)
- Heart disease
- Hot flashes
- Increased risk of infections (both vaginal and urinary tract)
- Low energy levels
- Migraine headaches
- Night sweats
- Osteoporosis
- Pain during intercourse (dyspareunia)
- Rapid heartbeat (tachycardia)
- Thinning hair
- Thinning of the vaginal and urinary tract walls
- Urinary frequency, incontinence, or urgency
- Vaginal dryness and itching
- Weight gain
Psychological Symptoms
- Anxiety
- Crying spells
- Depression
- Difficulty concentrating
- Excessive sleepiness
- Fatigue
- Insomnia (inability to sleep)
- Irritability
- Increased stress and decreased ability to cope
- Low energy levels
- Memory loss
- Mood swings
- Palpitations
- Poor quality or light sleep
- Sleep disturbances
Natural Treatment for Menopause and Hormone Imbalance
Menopausal symptoms can significantly impact a woman's quality of life. Fortunately, effective solutions exist for managing hormone-related symptoms and reducing the increased disease risk often associated with menopause.
Natural, bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT), combined with healthy lifestyle modifications, can help restore youthful hormone balance. Since every woman’s experience is unique, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to BHRT.
At Genemedics Health Institute, our doctors specialize in creating personalized bioidentical hormone replacement therapy programs tailored to each patient's specific needs. Your individualized program will be complemented by a custom nutrition plan, nutritional supplements, and a fitness regimen to help you achieve your health and fitness goals. Consult with one of our experienced doctors to explore steps and options for reducing your risk and living life to the fullest.
Call 248-307-7796
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What to Expect During Your Consultation:
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Usually takes 15-30 minutes
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Completely confidential
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No obligation to purchase anything
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We will discuss your symptoms along with your health and fitness goals
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Free post-consult access for any additional questions you may have