Menopause is a natural part of the aging process for most women, yet there’s a lot of misinformation and confusion surrounding it.
Menopause is not a disease, nor is it a disorder, and some women don’t experience any menopausal symptoms while others have a difficult time with symptoms.
Today, we want to dedicate a post exclusively to explaining menopause and the essential facts. Read on to learn what every woman needs to know about menopause.
Menopause and What it Really Means
Let’s get technical for a minute; Menopause is defined as having no menstrual period for one year. While it can technically occur anytime, most women experience it in their late 40s or early 50s.
Menopause can bring on various changes in your body, and the associated symptoms are a result of decreased production of estrogen and progesterone in your ovaries.
While menopause is often talked about as the period of women experiencing symptoms like hot flashes, not having a period, and other physical manifestations these are actually signs of three distinct stages that make up menopause.
The three stages are:
1. Peri-Menopause
Typically begins in a woman’s 40s-50s when estrogen levels fluctuate and the ovaries start producing less estrogen. This can last anywhere from 2-8 years, and symptoms include irregular periods, insomnia, night sweats, hot flashes, mood disorders, depression, weight gain, hair becoming brittle, and more.
2. Menopause
A woman is diagnosed with menopause after she has gone without a period for 12 consecutive months. Technically, menopause exists as one day, the time after a woman has not had a period for 12 months is considered post-menopause.
3. Post-Menopause
This is the new chapter of life after menopause. Symptoms experienced during the menopause transition may continue.
Postmenopausal women may experience a decline of symptoms over time but due to low levels of estrogen may be at increased risk for diseases like osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s disease, heart disease, certain cancers, and more.
Seeking Medical Care
Now that you have the basics down let’s get into some of the specifics. Whether you’re struggling with symptoms related to the process of menopause shouldn’t keep you from seeking medical care.
The changes you may experience during this time could increase your risk for certain conditions, and medical attention can ensure you’re okay as well as help you get through and enjoy an improved quality of life.
Symptoms and their severity differ significantly among individual women, but here’s a list of the most common symptoms:
- Irregular periods
- Night sweats
- Vaginal dryness
- Hot flashes
- Sleep problems
- Thinning hair and dry skin
- Mood changes
- Weight gain and slowed metabolism
- Loss of breast fullness
- Chills
As you can see, menopause is not something that will just magically occur overnight. It’s a long process and staying in tune with your body, taking note of your physical and emotional wellbeing, as well as regular visits with your doctor, can help keep you healthy and comfortable during this time.
Take note of any changes you are experiencing and speak with your doctor about them as well as any concerns. Together, we can create a solid plan for preventative care, screening tests, and a menopause management plan that may include a variety of therapies.
A Customized Approach to Hormone Management
At EVEXIAS Medical Center Denver, we have committed ourselves to provide our patients with lasting solutions to their health concerns. One way we’re able to do this is through bio-identical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT).
In the past, or even currently at certain clinics, hormone therapy could be overwhelming. There are pills, patches, creams, and much more, but none offer a personalized approach to patients’ needs and merely treated symptoms rather than provided relief.
At EVEXIAS Denver, we use an advanced treatment option that employs BHRT through pellets. A natural alternative to synthetic hormone replacement therapies, subcutaneous BHRT with pellets uses natural, plant-based extracts that are compatible with your body’s biological makeup.
Let’s Talk BHRT
Bio-identical hormones are replicas of hormones your body already produces, while synthetic hormones are not molecularly identical. Here are some fast facts to give you an idea of what to expect:
- Bio-identical hormones are derived from plants, giving you an all-natural solution.
- Your dose will be determined based on your needs according to blood tests.
- Improvements can be seen within the first two weeks, but eight weeks is necessary to feel the full effects.
Did you know either horse urine or artificially formulated (synthetic) hormones in a lab compose mass-produced, synthetic hormones? It should go without saying these are not items you want in your body.
Manufacturers deliberately create synthetic hormones that are slightly different than natural human hormones to patent those formulations.
While this all sounds scary and overwhelming, you can relax knowing that BHRT has been around for ages. In fact, health practitioners have performed BHRT, plant-based pellet implants since the early 1900s.
And recently, there has been a resurgence in the number of practitioners offering pellet therapy after studies revealed natural hormones might be a safer, more effective alternative to synthetic hormone treatments that have been widely used in the last few decades.
Your Guide to Balance
Does BHRT with pellets seem like an exciting option for you? We’d love to:
- Meet with you
- Discuss your health goals
- Run some blood tests
- See how your hormones currently stand up
We’ll go over BHRT with pellets and the improvements you can expect based on your unique health concerns.
Give us a call at (720) 625-8043 or schedule your consultation easily online!
