Perimenopause and Menopause: Women’s Health and Aging
Due to technological and medical advancements, people are living longer and longer. Getting to grow old is a privilege, but can also be a difficult transition. As we age, our bodies go through many physical changes- and no change is more drastic and impactful in a woman’s life than entering menopause. Menopause is the period of time in a woman’s life when her menstrual cycle stops and she can no longer get pregnant.
Menopause is a natural part of aging, and every woman will eventually experience this shift in her life- so let’s look closer at what’s going on, and how you can deal with it.
What is Menopause, exactly?
While everyone has heard the word “Menopause”, most people don’t have an in-depth understanding of what is going on inside a woman’s body during this time. Most people use the word Menopause to describe the physical and psychological changes a woman goes through when her period stops- however a woman has entered Menopause only after she has not had a menstrual cycle for over a year. The process most people are alluding to is actually called Perimenopause. Perimenopause encompasses the time from the onset of menopausal symptoms up until the menstruation cycle stops completely for at least a year. Perimenopause usually starts when a woman is between 45-55 years old, with the average age in the US being 52. Menopausal symptoms may also occur in younger women due to surgical interventions relating to the ovaries or hormonal imbalances- always check with a healthcare professional if you have any questions or concerns.
Symptoms of Perimenopause
As a woman’s body enters Perimenopause, her ovaries lose follicular function and decrease production of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. This sudden and significant drop in hormonal levels throws the entire body out of balance, bringing on physical and mental symptoms that range from annoying to debilitating. Some common symptoms include:
Hot flashes
Night sweats
Incontinence
Insomnia
Joint and muscle discomfort
Moodiness
Forgetfulness
Change in libido
Sexual discomfort
Symptoms vary from woman to woman and cannot usually be predicted, though some factors such as genetics and environment play a role. For example, smoking is linked to the earlier onset of Perimenopause and can aggravate symptoms. Compared to white women, black women have been found to have an earlier onset of symptoms, as well as an increased duration and intensity of said symptoms. Symptoms can last anywhere from 2 to 8 years and can change a woman’s entire life and routine, so it’s important to be aware of them and have ways to manage them.
Changes in the Body During Perimenopause
In addition to hormonal fluctuations, there are other changes to deal with during Perimenopause. These changes impact the way a woman’s body looks, feels, and functions. Changes in the fat distribution on the body can alter physical appearance, which is very jarring for most women. Having less estrogen and progesterone also makes women more vulnerable to other health issues such as heart problems, stroke, changes in bone density and body function. Knowing you are at risk can give you a small advantage in that you can attempt to make lifestyle changes to keep these issues in check. Having a healthy diet, staying active, and getting enough vitamin D can help combat some of these vulnerabilities.
Treatment for Menopause and Perimenopause Symptoms
For women experiencing mild menopausal symptoms, there are some day-to-day things that one could do to manage their symptoms, such as avoiding caffeine, dressing in layers, and carrying a portable fan to help with the hot flashes. If symptoms are not easily manageable, there are non-hormonal medications and hormonal treatments that can help you get your life back on track.
Hormonal Therapy for Perimenopause
Perimenopause can last several years and deeply impact a woman’s physical, social, and mental well-being. Hormonal Therapy is a popular treatment for severe symptoms of Perimenopause and Menopause. It involves taking artificial estrogen and progesterone hormones in order to balance out the natural hormonal levels in the body and make the transition into Menopause less drastic. Leveling these hormones out can help alleviate symptoms such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness, insomnia, and losing bone density. Hormonal Therapy can be administered via pills, patches, rings, implants, gels, and creams- you should consult with our healthcare professionals at True Health Care to learn what option is best for you.
True Health Care Hormone Therapy
Our mission at True Health Care is to help you feel like yourself again. We specialize in Hormone Therapy and have helped many women experiencing Perimenopause and Menopause symptoms feel better. Our treatment plans are tailored specifically to each woman’s unique circumstances, health history, and budget. Here’s how it works, step by step:
1. Comprehensive Lab Tests
The first thing we do when starting you on your Hormone Therapy journey is to conduct thorough and detailed lab tests. This shows us what hormonal imbalances we are dealing with and helps us devise a personalized path forward.
2. Personalized Treatment Plans
Once we have your lab test results, our expert team will devise a treatment plan that works for YOU. The treatment options include bioidentical hormone therapy, targeted supplements, nutritional guidance, and lifestyle recommendations.
3. Close Monitoring and Support
Perimenopause can feel like a very isolating time in a woman’s life, but our team at True Health Care won’t let you go through it alone. Hormone balancing is an evolving journey- we will meet with you weekly to monitor your progress and adjust our treatment accordingly.
Contact True Health Care
Think Hormonal Therapy might be for you? Book your free 20 minute consultation today and let us help you make the Perimenopausal transition easier.
Testimonials
“When I started having hot flashes, they were so intense that I started avoiding going outside. I had no idea where to turn for help. Starting Hormone Therapy at True Health Care was the best thing I ever did. Dr. Stepahnie was incredible and actually listened to me when I described the issues I was dealing with. The ongoing support is priceless and I feel like I was truly cared for by this amazing team.”
- Carol Byers
“True Health Care team was very helpful with my menopause symptoms, it’s not easy opening up about these kinds of things but they made me feel safe. I hope that this review helps anyone dealing with the same things to get help, I’m really glad I tried the hormone therapy.”
- Jazmin Perez
