What is menopause?
Menopause is a natural transition that most women experience around the age of 50, marking the end of the reproductive years.
Some key things to know:
- Perimenopause typically starts in the 40s as hormone levels begin to change. This transitional period can last anywhere from 2 to 8 years. Symptoms include hot flashes, night sweats, irregular periods, mood changes, trouble sleeping, etc.
- The average age for menopause in the U.S. is 51. But it can happen from 40s to mid-50s.
- Menopause is considered complete when a woman has gone 12 months without a period. At this point, the ovaries stop releasing eggs and menstruation ceases.
- With natural menopause, there's a major drop in the hormones estrogen and progesterone. This causes uncomfortable symptoms and health risks like bone loss and heart disease.
The good news is there are many ways to ease this transition:
- Hormone therapy can help relieve hot flashes, mood swings, sleep troubles, vaginal dryness and bone loss. Talk to your healthcare provider to explore your options.
- Making lifestyle changes also goes a long way - things like limiting alcohol/caffeine, managing stress with yoga/meditation, eating a nutritious diet, exercising regularly, etc.
If you're struggling with menopause changes, the hormone experts at Optimal Hormone Health Clinic provide customized care including bioidentical hormone therapy and nutritional counseling tailored just for you. I highly recommend contacting them for a consultation.
Some key takeaways: Menopause signals the end of a woman's reproductive capacity. It's an unavoidable transition but doesn't have to be miserable. With the right information and support, you can sail through menopause gracefully and come out stronger on the other side!
Let me know if you have any other questions!