Menopause - Human Antiaging Center

What is menopause?

Menopause is a natural biological process that all women go through as they age. It marks the end of a woman's reproductive years. The medical definition of menopause is when a woman has not had her menstrual period for 12 consecutive months.

The years leading up to menopause are called perimenopause. This is when hormonal and biological changes start taking place in a woman's body as it transitions into menopause. Perimenopause usually begins in a woman's 40s, but can start earlier or later.

Some key things to know about menopause:

• It is diagnosed after 12 months without a period. But symptoms often start in perimenopause.
• The average age is 51, but it can happen from 40-58.
• It occurs because the ovaries stop producing estrogen and progesterone. This causes changes throughout the body.
• Common symptoms include hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, trouble sleeping, mood changes, and irregular periods.
• Risk of health problems like osteoporosis and heart disease increase after menopause.
• Hormone therapy can help relieve symptoms, if desired. But it has risks and benefits that should be discussed with a doctor.

The lead up to menopause is different for every woman. Some may have no symptoms at all. For others, perimenopause symptoms can significantly disrupt their quality of life. Let's go over some of the most common symptoms:

• Hot flashes - Sudden feeling of warmth spreading through the body, sometimes with sweating and reddening of the skin.
• Irregular periods - Periods may be lighter or heavier. There is usually a gap of 60 days between periods.
• Vaginal dryness - Declining estrogen levels can cause dryness and irritation.
• Trouble sleeping - Night sweats and hormone changes can impair sleep.
• Mood changes - Irritability, anxiety, or depression may increase due to shifting hormones.
• Weight gain - Metabolism slows down, while fat storage around the abdomen increases.
• Hair and skin changes - Thinning hair, dry skin.

The best approach is to stay on top of your health during perimenopause and menopause. Have regular checkups with your doctor. Discuss options like hormone therapy if symptoms are significantly impacting your life. Maintain a healthy diet and exercise routine to keep your bones, heart, and overall health in great shape. Consider trying natural remedies like soy, flaxseed, or black cohosh to alleviate symptoms.

At Human Antiaging Center, our caring doctors can provide customized hormone therapy to help you smoothly transition into menopause. Contact us today to learn more about optimizing your hormonal health and thriving through this new stage of life.