WHAT ARE THE KEY SYMPTOMS OF MENOPAUSE? & IF MENOPAUSAL, SHOULD I START MY NEW YEAR WELLNESS PLAN WITH HORMONE THERAPY? – Today, as we enter 2025, I want to talk about a topic that’s near and dear to the hearts of many women: menopause. It’s a natural transition that marks the end of a woman’s reproductive years and brings with it a range of physical and emotional changes. But fear not because I’m here to help you navigate this journey with confidence and empower you to embrace this new chapter of your life.
My patients either tend to be motivated to start hormone therapy to get relief from their hot flashes are already suspicious of it because of what they’ve read on the internet. Admittedly, there is a lot of concerning information out there about hormone therapy and the risks of heart attack, breast cancer, and more.
So, let’s dive into understanding the stages of menopause:
• Perimenopause: Perimenopause is the transitional phase leading up to menopause and typically begins in a woman’s 40s, although it can start earlier or later for some women. During this stage, hormone levels, particularly estrogen and progesterone, begin to fluctuate, leading to irregular menstrual cycles, hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, and other symptoms. Perimenopause can last anywhere from a few months to several years, and it’s a time of significant hormonal changes and adjustments.
• Menopause: Menopause officially begins when a woman has gone 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period. This typically occurs around the age of 51, but again, it can vary from woman to woman. Once menopause is reached, estrogen and progesterone levels remain consistently low, leading to the cessation of menstrual periods and the onset of menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness, sleep disturbances, and mood changes.
• Post menopause: Post menopause refers to the stage of life that begins after menopause and lasts for the rest of a woman’s life. During this stage, menopausal symptoms may continue or subside, but hormonal fluctuations generally stabilize. However, postmenopausal women are at an increased risk for certain health conditions, such as osteoporosis, heart disease, and cognitive decline, due to the long-term effects of hormonal changes and aging.
There are several treatment options for menopause, including hormone therapy, non-hormonal treatments, and lifestyle changes:
• Hormone therapy: The most common treatment for menopause, hormone therapy involves taking a combination of estrogen and progesterone to replace the body’s natural hormone levels. It can be taken as a pill, skin patch, or vaginal cream. Hormone therapy is FDA-approved to treat hot flashes, night sweats, and osteoporosis prevention. I prescribe bioidentical hormone therapy as a more effective and safer medical protocol. Bioidentical hormones are processed hormones designed to mimic the hormones made by your body’s glands. However, you should discuss the risks and benefits with your healthcare provider before starting hormone therapy.
• Non-hormonal treatments: These include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), gabapentin, and oxybutynin. These medications can help relieve symptoms like hot flashes and mood changes.
• Lifestyle changes: These include eating a balanced diet, getting enough sleep, managing stress, and exercising. You can also try yoga, meditation, or breathing techniques to help manage stress.
• Alternative remedies: Some people use black cohosh, soy isoflavones, melatonin, and flaxseed to improve symptoms. However, there is little evidence to support these claims.
You should discuss the best treatment options for you with your healthcare provider. It’s very important to work with a physician that approaches your health from a root cause level, not a surface viewpoint only, which leads to just masking the symptoms vs healing it at the deepest level. I have seen many patients hit menopause in the unhealthiest state of their lives with obesity, muscle atrophy, lack of exercise, and low levels of nutrition in their diets, and this just causes more symptoms than needed when it comes to menopause.
But here’s the thing:
While menopause is a natural and inevitable part of every woman’s life, it doesn’t have to be a source of fear or anxiety. By understanding the stages of menopause and embracing the changes that come with it, you can navigate this transition with grace and confidence.
Starting or re-starting a wellness & fitness program for the new year to lose weight, improve health & feel more energized is a great time to balance hormones to maximize results from all your diet & exercise efforts. Make this year your healthiest year ever.
At Primex Cellular Health, we’re here to support you every step of the way on your menopausal journey. Our holistic root cause cellular medicine approach to women’s health focuses on addressing the underlying causes of menopausal symptoms and optimizing hormonal balance to help you feel your best at every stage of life.
Ready to lose weight, optimize your health, boost your sex drive, and embrace menopause as a new beginning rather than an end?
Let’s chat about how we can support you on your menopausal journey and help you thrive during this transformative time.
Schedule your OPTIMUM HORMONES 2025 initial virtual consultation with Dr. Eric today! Reach out at 1-740-777-9717 or shoot me an email directly at eric@drericfete.com
Feel free to visit drericprimex.com for more free valuable health, nutrition, wellness, and fitness information. Here’s to embracing the journey of menopause and stepping into this new chapter of your life with confidence and vitality!
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