Biomimetic Hormones | Menopause

Menopause

Menopause is a stage in a woman’s life which happens between the ages of 45 and 55 when her ovaries cease to produce eggs and hormone levels (estrogen, progesterone and testosterone among others) decline, and menstruation has ceased for the length of one year.

Menopause Symptoms include:

• Hot flashes and skin flushing
• Night sweats
• Insomnia
• Mood swings including irritability, depression, and anxiety
• Irregular menstrual periods
• Spotting of blood in between periods
• Vaginal dryness and painful sexual intercourse
• Decreased sex drive
• Vaginal infections

The long-term effects of menopause can include:

• Bone loss and eventual osteoporosis
• Changes in cholesterol levels and greater risk of heart disease

Tests for Menopause

Blood and saliva tests are used to measure hormone levels that will indicate when a woman is close to menopause or has reached menopause. Examples of these tests include:

  • Estradiol
  • FSH
  • LH
  • Testosterone
  • TSH – free T3 and T4 for thyroid function

A pelvic exam will also determine if there are changes in the vaginal lining which are caused decreases in estrogen levels. A bone density test may be also be used to measure bone density levels which would indicate the presence of a condition known as osteoporosis.

For many years, chemical hormone replacement therapy (HRT) was the main treatment of menopause symptoms. It was believed to reduce the risk of heart disease and bone fractures from osteoporosis.
However, when the results of a major study, the Women’s Health Initiative came out, physicians reconsidered their previous recommendations for the treatment of menopause and became hesitant to prescribe chemical hormone replacement therapy. We do not recommend chemical HRT as a way to deal with menopausal symptoms. The study reveals that risks for breast cancer, heart attacks, strokes, and blood clots greatly increased with the use of chemical HRT. We do, however, believe that Bio-identical or Bio-mimetic Hormone Replacement therapy is the better way to go to deal with severe menopausal or andropausal symptoms.

Natural Alternatives to HRT:

The good news is that you can take many steps to reduce your symptoms without taking hormones:
• Dress lightly and in layers
• Avoid caffeine, alcohol, cigarettes and spicy foods
• Practice slow, deep breathing whenever a hot flash starts to come on (try taking six breaths per minute)
• See an acupuncturist
• Use relaxation techniques like yoga, tai chi, or meditation
• Eat soy foods
• Remain sexually active to preserve elasticity of your vagina
• Perform Kegel exercises daily to strengthen the muscles of your vagina and pelvis
• Use water-based lubricants during sexual intercourse

To lessen or eliminate some of the symptoms that accompany menopause and reduce your risk of long-term health problems like osteoporosis, cancer and heart disease, make sure you follow the healthy recommendations below:

• Do not smoke — cigarette use can cause early menopause
• Exercise regularly to strengthen your bonesTake calcium and vitamin D
• Eat a low-fat diet
• If you show the early signs of osteoporosis, talk to your doctor or homeopath about medications and healthy solutions that can help stop further bone loss
• Control blood pressure, cholesterol, and other risk factors for heart disease

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2 Responses to “Menopause”

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