Let’s get technical for a minute; Doctors define menopause 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 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.
Everyone will experience a natural decline in hormones over time. And while it’s often associated with older people and women (thanks, Menopause!), the truth is imbalanced hormones can affect both men and women.
Changes in Your Body
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 women often say menopause is hot flashes, not having a period, and other physical manifestations, these signs are actually three distinct stages of 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
Doctors diagnose a woman 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
Seeking Help
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 help.
The changes you may experience during this time could increase your risk for certain conditions.
Signs of Hormonal Imbalances
Do you want to stay on top of your health and be sure you’re not dealing with hormonal imbalance? Come in for your consultation! Still not convinced? Here are five telltale signs of hormonal imbalances.
1. Fatigue
Sure, we all get tired, and some weeks are more pressing than others. But if you feel you’re taking care of yourself but still feel like you’re not yourself, changing hormone levels may be to blame.
2. Sudden or Unexplained Weight Gain
When you put on weight suddenly, or the pounds continue to add on even though you’re exercising and eating clean, hormones may be the culprit.
This is a common sign for men and women, as well as stubborn belly fat that doesn’t seem to burn off no matter how hard you work.
3. Insomnia
Difficulty sleeping is normal, but if it’s persistent, it’s probably your hormones.
4. Changes in Skin and Hair
The quality and vitality of your skin and hair are directly related to your hormones. Any abnormalities in your hormones may lead to saggy, dry skin or thinning and loss of hair, and brittle nails.
5. Low Sex Drive
If you notice an extreme change in your libido, then your hormones may be why.
These five symptoms are some of the most common, but they certainly are not the only possibilities. Get in touch with our team today to discuss any concerns or to find out if other persistent symptoms may be related to hormonal imbalance.
Additional Signs
Symptoms and their severity differ significantly among individual women, but here’s a list of 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 taking note of your physical and emotional wellbeing, as well as regular visits with your doctor, can help keep you healthy.
Take note of any changes you are experiencing. 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 Lasting Solution
At EvexiPEL, 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 EvexiPEL, we use an advanced treatment option that employs hormone pellets. A natural alternative to synthetic hormone replacement therapies, subcutaneous hormone pellets use natural, plant-based extracts that are compatible with your body’s biological makeup.
Let’s Talk Hormone Pellets
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 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 hormone pellet therapy after studies revealed natural hormones might be safer and more effective.
Your Guide to Hormone Balance
Do hormone pellets seem like an exciting option for you?
- Meet with you
- Discuss your health goals
- Run some blood tests
- See how your hormones currently stand up
We’ll go over hormone pellets and the improvements you can expect based on your unique health concerns.
Resources
- Article Reviewed By The Medical Faculty and Advisory Review Board
- Image attribution.
- Clevelandclinic.org
- Health.harvard.edu
- Healthline.com
- Medicalnewstoday.com
- Ourbodiesourselves.org