Menopause
The Compassionate Way Back to You
Menopause can throw a wrench into your lifestyle. From unexplained weight gain, emotional changes, and mood swings to hot flashes, brain fog and irregular periods trying to pinpoint why it’s all happening can be difficult. During this stage it’s important to stay open with your provider about your symptoms so you understand your options in gaining back control over what your body naturally does.
“Lone Tree OB/Gyn is what every medical office should strive to be. Everyone from the front desk staff all the way up to Dr. Furr himself, are amazing people and do a fantastic job. They provide a myriad of women’s health services, serving women all the way up through menopause, and even add a dash of esthetics for those who feel like they need a little extra something. I actually enjoy going into the office for my appointments.”—Michelle D.
What Causes Menopause
Although all women will go through “The Change” and experience common symptoms, the experience is deeply personal and how to go about it depends on each particular case. In broad terms, menopause marks the natural transition from the reproductive years into the post-reproductive phase of life. During this process, the body gradually stops producing hormones responsible for regulating the menstrual cycle and for the body’s overall function regulation.
In some cases, hormone levels can decline due to external circumstances, like medical interventions, chemotherapy, certain medications, thyroid disorders, among others.
The consequence of the decline of hormonal levels can bring about different symptoms (see below, Symptoms).
About Estrogen and Progesterone
During the reproductive years of a woman’s life, the body produces hormones (chemical messengers), namely estrogen and progesterone, which help the body regulate different functions, detailed below:
Estrogen
- Regulates the menstrual cycle and supports egg development.
- Maintains bone density.
- Influences mood, memory and cognitive functions.
- Promotes the production of collagen and elasticity of the skin.
- Helps the body control its temperature.
Progesterone
- Prepares and maintains uterine lining and environment.
- Balances estrogen’s effects.
- Stimulates milk production.
- Helps improve mood.
- Supports thyroid function.
Because every woman’s body is unique, the levels of these hormones drop at different stages, although the commonality is between the ages of 45 and 55.
When Does Menopause Start?
Menopause typically starts between ages 45 and 55, with the average age being around 51 years old in the United States. Menopause officially begins when you've gone 12 consecutive months without a period.
What you're probably experiencing before that is perimenopause, which is the transition phase that can start much earlier:
- Perimenopause usually begins in your 40s (sometimes late 30s).
- This phase can last anywhere from 4-8 years on average.
- During perimenopause, you'll notice irregular periods and may start. experiencing symptoms like hot flashes.
When Am I in Post Menopause?
Postmenopause occurs after your periods have stopped and while symptoms may still continue, they will become less intense or disappear over the years. Women in postmenopause face increased health risks due to lower estrogen levels and aging. Some diseases to watch out for are cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and genitourinary syndrome among other concerns.
- Early-to-mid 50s: Symptoms often peak then gradually improve.
- Late 50s-60s: Most symptoms fade, though some women continue experiencing them.
Menopause Symptoms
With the mentioned decrease in estrogen and progesterone, menopause sets in and you may experience the following symptoms:
Hot Flashes
Pain During Intercourse
Fatigue
Weight Gain
Anxiety
Sadness
Insomnia
Irritability
Mood Swings
Night Sweats
Hot Flashes
Hot flashes are the most common symptom. A sudden sensation of intense body heat, it can feel as mild as a light blush or severe enough to wake you from a sound sleep (cue night sweats, below). They often strike unexpectedly and last from seconds to minutes.
Fatigue
Energy levels are affected during menopause, causing a sensation of fatigue.
Anxiety
With the progesterone deficiency that this new season brings, your mood can be affected and you might experience increased levels of anxiety.
Insomnia
Insomnia is also common among those going through The Change. While some have difficulty falling asleep, others may wake too early or present new, intermittent sleeping patterns.
Night Sweats
Typically, transpiration is a healthy response that your body produces to keep your body temperature at a healthy level. However, during menopause, you may feel a sudden wave of heat that spreads throughout your body, along with profuse sweating and an accelerated heartbeat.
Pain During Intercourse / Vaginal Dryness
As a result of lower estrogen levels, the blood supply to the vagina decreases, therefore affecting vaginal lubrication. As a result, intercourse can be painful and vaginal infections may also become more common.
Weight Gain
Because hormones regulate metabolic function, many women also experience weight gain during menopause.
Sadness / Depression
Along with anxiety, the new hormone pattern can bring feelings of sadness or depression.
Irritability
Just like anxiety and sadness, mood is affected, making many women experience irritability at a higher level than before.
Mood Swings
During menopause many women experience mood swings making them feel as if they are in a constant state of PMS (premenstrual syndrome). Symptoms of depression may occur during menopause, however depression is NOT a symptom of menopause. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to notify your physician.
Can Menopause Symptoms Be Treated?
Symptoms vary from woman to woman. When following the advice above, fewer symptoms may arise, although all bodies react differently to hormonal changes. In any case, signs that accompany menopause can be treated as they appear thanks to ever-evolving hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
HRT treats hot flashes, night sweats, and sudden feelings of warmth or flushing by providing the hormones that the body ceases to produce in the form of pills or subcutaneous pellets.
About Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT)
A bioidentical hormone is the exact molecular structure of the hormone that the body produces naturally. These bioidentically engineered hormones are prescribed to effectively replace those which women lose during menopause and therefore get back to their symptom-free life .Because every person is unique, some people may feel the effects immediately, while others may take up to two or more pellet insertions before they feel full effects.
What People Are Saying
“I did the Biote, and within about a month, I already noticed that my energy levels started improving. My kids were happy, my husband was very happy to have his wife back and to have this life that we could keep up with. Thank you, Biote, for helping me get my life back.” —Jenn
“I’m on my third round. I lost who I was and no matter what I did, I couldn’t find it. Even after the first round, the change with mental fatigue, weight loss, focus, all those things, anxiety, sleep, everything gets better and you don’t have to be on different drugs chasing symptoms.” —Chuck (55).
Find Menopause Relief
Ready to get back to yourself? Your journey begins with a conversation. At Lone Tree OB/GYN & Midwives, we believe women deserve to live their life to the fullest for as long as possible. Schedule your personalized consultation today and discover how our expert and certified team can help you get the reins of your groove back. Discover our convenient locations on the southern edge of the Denver metropolitan area (Lone Tree and Castle Rock).