Menopause And Bioidentical Hormones - You Do Have An Option

Perimenopause

What is perimenopause? It is the time leading up to menopause (when you have not had your period for twelve months). During perimenopause, your body starts making less of certain hormones (estrogen and progesterone), and you begin to lose the ability to become pregnant.

How long does perimenopause last? It varies. Women normally go through menopause between ages 45 and 55. Many women experience menopause around age 51. However, perimenopause can start as early as age 35. It can last just a few months or a few years. There is no way to tell in advance how long it will last OR how long it will take you to go through it.

I've been depressed in the past. Will this affect when I start going through perimenopause? It could. Researchers are studying how depression in a woman's life affects the time she starts perimenopause.

Some studies have found that women with a history of depression started perimenopause earlier than women without depression. Women who took antidepressants started perimenopause even earlier. If you start perimenopause early, researchers don't know if you reach menopause faster than other women or if you're just in perimenopause longer.

Symptoms include: changes in your menstrual cycle (longer or shorter periods, heavier or lighter periods, or missed periods and:

hot flashes (sudden rush of heat from your chest to your head)

night sweats (hot flashes that happen while you sleep)

vaginal dryness

sleep problems

mood changes (mood swings, depression, irritability)

pain during sex

more urinary infections

urinary incontinence

less interest in sex

increase in body fat around your waist

problems with concentration and memory

Hot Flashes: We don't know exactly what causes hot flashes. It could be a drop in estrogen or change in another hormone. This affects the part of your brain that regulates your body temperature. During a hot flash, you feel a sudden rush of heat move from your chest to your head. Your skin may turn red, and you may sweat. Hot flashes are sometimes brought on by things like hot weather, eating hot or spicy foods, or drinking alcohol or caffeine. Try to avoid these things if you find they trigger the hot flashes.

Emotional Lability or Mood Swings : I am feeling so emotional lately. Is this from the changes in my hormones? Your mood changes could be caused by a lot of factors. Some researchers believe that the decrease in estrogen triggers changes in your brain causing depression. Others think that if you're depressed, irritable, and anxious, it's influenced by other symptoms you're having, such as sleep problems, hot flashes, night sweats, and fatigue-not hormonal changes. Or, it could be a combination of hormone changes and symptoms. Other things that could cause depression and/or anxiety include:

having depression during your lifetime

feeling negative about menopause and getting older

increased stress

having severe menopause symptoms

smoking

not being physically active

not being happy in your relationship or not being in a relationship

not having a job

not having enough money

low self-esteem (how you feel about yourself)

not having the social support you need

regretful that you can't have children anymore

What can I do to prevent or relieve symptoms of perimenopause?

Keep a journal for a few months and write down your symptoms, like hot flashes, night sweats, and mood changes. That can help you figure out the changes you're going through.

Record your menstrual cycle, noting whether you have a heavy, normal, or light period.

Find a physical activity that you'll enjoy doing.

If you smoke, try to quit. Visit A Breath of Fresh Air! for help.

Keep your body mass index (BMI) at a normal level. Figure out your BMI by going to www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/bmicalc.htm

Talk to your friends who are in perimenopause or menopause. Most likely, they're going through the same things you are!

Do something new - volunteer or take a class.

Use a vaginal lubricant for dryness and pain during sex.

Dress in layers.

Try to figure out if certain triggers cause hot flashes, like spicy foods or being outside in the heat. Avoid these things.

Talk with your health care provider if you feel depressed or have any other questions about how to relieve your symptoms.

I'm going through perimenopause right now. My period is very heavy, and I'm bleeding after sex. Is this normal? Irregular periods are common and normal during perimenopause, but not all changes in bleeding are from perimenopause or menopause. Other things can cause abnormal bleeding. Talk to your health care provider if:

the bleeding is very heavy or comes with clots

you're bleeding from the vagina after sex

the bleeding lasts longer than 7 days

you have spotting or bleeding between periods

By using natural hormones and following a program of regular testing, women can develop an individualized hormone replacement regimen that is safe and effective.

"You need to use natural means to restore the body's hormone balance," says Dr. Wright, a member of the Life Extension Foundation's Medical Advisory Board. "Bioidentical hormones are superior to patentable drugs because they are exact copies of what the body produces. They work better than the deformed, inexact copies that are required to get a patent."

By replacing the hormones that decline as time goes by, you can sustain your health and promote longevity. It's never too late, either. I have had patients in their eighties who saw their health improve. For example, in cell cultures, gender-specific bioidentical estrogen or testosterone supplementation slows the accumulation of tau protein, neurofibrillary tangle, and amyloid in human neurons, reducing the potential for Alzheimer's disease. The bioidentical versions of these two hormones reduce the risks of cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis as well.

By returning to the physiological hormone levels you had earlier in your life, you can slow down the aging process and maximize your quality of life.