The symptoms of menopause are caused by the reactions of the body to declining hormones, specifically estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. This can occur naturally or it can be surgically induced as when a woman has her ovaries removed. The drop in hormones can trigger varying symptoms such as hot flashes, heart palpitations, insomnia, feeling anxious, mood swings and weight gain. As low estrogen continues, many women experience vaginal dryness resulting in painful intercourse as well as dry skin and eyes. Which tissues are affected often depend on genetic susceptibility and lifestyle. A few lucky women are able to move through the process with minimal symptoms.
Some of the most troubling symptoms of menopause are poor memory, decreased focus and concentration. Many report “fuzzy thinking” or a feeling of cobwebs in the brain. This can be frustrating and often scary as a woman notices she is not able to multi-task and keep up the pace of the challenging lifestyle she is used to.
The average age range for menopause is between 50 and 55 years of age. Typically women begin with menopausal symptoms in their mid- 40’s. Periods often become irregular and may be lighter or heavier than they used to be. Often the age of menopause is also genetically determined and it may be helpful to ask an older sister or mother how old they were at the time of menopause.
During this time in a woman’s life, it is important to visit her health care provider to discuss bothersome symptoms and recommendations for treatment. It would seem hormone replacement would be the obvious, reasonable thing to do. And, in fact, until 2002, hormone replacement therapy was routinely recommended and suggested to treat menopausal symptoms and protect long-term health. Then in 2002, something happened that changed everything. A large clinical trial called the Woman’s Health Initiative reported a combination estrogen/progestin (Prempro) actually posed more health risks than benefits. This study did not compare any other types of hormone replacement to the Prempro.
It is critical to know the trial involved a combination of conjugated equine (horse) estrogen and a synthetic progestin (medroxyprogesterone). Gather information regarding all options in order to make decisions regarding how you would like to approach this time in your life. If you make the decision to take hormones, it is important to choose what may be the safest option. Bioidentical hormones are plant-based and are most often used topically or sublingually rather than oral. They are usually made by a compounding pharmacy. They bypass the GI system, liver, and kidneys and also may be better absorbed by the body. After all, we have many productive years ahead and it should be a time of joy and discovery as our pace slows from our busy lives. Every woman deserves to enjoy this time in life by nurturing her body and soul.
For more information on menopause and hormone balance, join us for our Womens Health Event on October 15th, 2015 at Coastal Pharmacy & Wellness.
About the Author
Brenda Houdlette
