Menopause Symptoms Background
The signs and symptoms of menopause are usually enough to for most women to determine they have begun going through the menopausal transition. We encourage women to have a simple blood test done which will check levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and estrogen (estradiol).
As menopause occurs, FSH levels increase and estradiol levels decrease. Your doctor may also recommend a blood test to determine your level of thyroid-stimulating hormone, because hypothyroidism can cause symptoms similar to those of menopause.
Menopause Symptoms We Treat
Menopause itself requires no medical treatment. Instead, treatments focus on relieving your signs and symptoms and on preventing or lessening chronic conditions that may occur with aging.
Depression & Mood
Mood swings, depression, and fatigue can be attributed to imbalanced estrogen levels which directly affects serotonin production. Hormonal imbalances with thyroid and progesterone may further increase symptoms. Many women report improvement with mood and depression soon after restoring hormones to healthy levels.
Stress & Fatigue
Fatigue during menopause is related to hormone imbalance induced stress, depression, insomnia, and metabolism changes. Added stress increases cortisol secretion which over time leads to adrenal gland fatigue and ultimately inadequate cortisol production. This reduction in cortisol can cause feelings of exhaustion and increase overall fatigue.
Hot Flashes
Up to 80% of women may experience hot flashes before, during, and after menopause. Symptoms include burning sensations and cold sweats, or “night sweats” while sleeping. In some cases, women have reported symptoms lasting as long as 7-11 years. Typically, balancing estrogen and progesterone reduces or eliminates hot flashes.
Irregular Periods
In many cases, perimenopausal women may experience significant irregularities in menstruation cycles in the months to years leading up to menopause. Estrogen and progesterone imbalances are the typical cause. Optimizing hormones through BHRT will generally reduce irregular periods and instances of abnormal levels of bleeding.
Osteoporosis
Up to 50% of U.S. women will be affected by Osteoporosis and may lose 2%-7% of their bone mass each year if left untreated. Optimizing hormones with balanced levels of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone helps prevent harmful reductions in bone density and maintains proper vitamin D and calcium absorption for bone growth.
Vaginal Dryness
Declining estrogen levels throughout menopause reduce a woman's ability to create optimal levels of natural lubricant - which helps maintain healthy tissue with ideal elasticity. Testosterone is also known to aid in stimulating vaginal lubrication. Balancing hormones with BHRT had been shown to reduce vaginal dryness in many women.
Diminished Sex Drive
Low libido is commonly reported in menopausal women. Low estrogen and progesterone have been shown to cause reduced sexual sensitivity and overall enjoyment. Like estrogen, low testosterone can also affect vaginal lubrication. Balanced hormones are key in maintaining an ideal libido and a healthy, rewarding sex life.
Hair Loss
Thyroid or nutritional deficiencies and testosterone sensitivities in some women may contribute to hair loss. Balanced hormone levels are key to healthy hair. Additional adrenal fatigue and imbalanced cortisol production furthers symptoms. Hair loss due to low-thyroid may be stopped and some women have experienced regrowth.
Insomnia
Hormonal imbalances that create serotonin and melatonin deficiencies cause a diminished ability for your brain to regulate sleep cycles and to achieve “deep sleep”. Adrenal fatigue and disruptions in growth hormone production during disruptive sleep increases the severity of both insomnia and daytime sleepiness.
Memory Loss
Many women experience mild memory loss or difficulty concentrating throughout menopause. Estrogen and thyroid deficiencies along with stress and excess cortisol are primarily responsible. Balancing hormones will generally reverse memory loss and may help in preventing future conditions such as dementia and Alzheimer’s.
Skin Changes
Most menopausal women experience preventable and unhealthy skin changes. Balanced levels of estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and thyroid are critical for naturally moisturizing oil and collagen production. Hormone deficiencies often lead to itchy, dry, and thin skin with a noticeable loss in elasticity and firmness.
Weight Gain
Up to 90% of women gain weight during perimenopause and menopause with added pounds typically appearing in the abdominal region. Balancing estrogen, testosterone, and thyroid with BHRT has been shown to aid in maintaining healthy metabolism, effectively burning calories, and preventing added water retention.
Menopause Symptoms by Age
Women experience symptoms of varying severity throughout perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause. By ages 46-55, almost 90% of women report moderate to severe symptoms.
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Under Age 40
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Ages 41-45
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Ages 46-55
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Over Age 55
* Percentages of U.S. women by age at menopause
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Women's BHRT Program
Learn about our bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) program, pricing, and what to expect. Ready for a consultation with Dr. Krup now? Proceed to our new patient questionnaire to get started.
