Our hormones control how our bodies operate day and night. We depend on them for virtually everything that we do or what happens to us – our mindset, body weight, reproduction and more. When our hormones get out of balance, our entire lives are affected.
Menopause is a time when a woman’s reproductive function permanently shuts down. The ovaries stop producing eggs, and the production of sex hormones estrogen, progesterone and testosterone drops dramatically.
Menopause is a part of normal aging process but it can also be caused by surgery, medical conditions and medications. When the menstrual cycle stops for 12 months, you are considered in a menopause. The average age in which women enter menopause is 51 but it varies widely due to genetics and other factors. It can happen in your 40’s or 50s, and the physical and emotional symptoms can develop even in your 30’s.
Here are the most common symptoms of menopause:
Mental and Emotional
- Moodiness
- Mood swings
- Depression
- Nervousness
- Difficulty sleeping
- Memory Loss
- Fatigue and low energy
- Reduced mental sharpness
- Decreased sex drive
Physical
- Hot flashes
- Sweating, especially night sweats
- Vaginal dryness and painful intercourse
- Racing heart
- Headaches
- Increased body fat
- Loss of muscle mass
- Water retention and bloating
- Thinning Hair
- Osteoporosis
Hot flashes are the most commonly talked about symptoms of menopause. Hot flash occurs when you suddenly feel heat for no apparent reason, and your face becomes red and flushed. That may be accompanied by sweating and racing heart.
Night sweats are also common in menopause and can make good night sleep a challenge.
Hormonal imbalance in menopause also notoriously leads to slowing the metabolism which in turn results in an increase in body fat, especially around the midsection. At the same time, your lean muscle mass decreases.
Although going through menopause is inevitable and is a normal part of the aging process, improving hormonal balance can greatly reduce the amount of both emotional and physical suffering.
All three hormones – estrogen, progesterone and testosterone must be balanced to achieve relief.
A special note on testosterone: Although testosterone is commonly viewed as a male hormone, its proper levels in a woman’s body are absolutely essential. Testosterone is necessary for energy production, it helps regulate brain function such as mood and memory. Testosterone is involved in regulating blood pressure, heart rhythm, metabolism and it plays a key role in sex drive.
Hormonal imbalance due to menopause can be successfully taken care of with proper treatment. We are here to help. Click on the button below to schedule a FREE phone consultation with Dr. Tatiana Fleischman, our Menopause specialist, and get your questions answered.