What is Menopause:

Menopause is the period in a woman’s life when menstruation (menses) stop, as a result of the gradual decrease in the production of female hormones by the ovaries. As hormone levels drop, menstruation begins to become irregular until it stops altogether. A woman can be quite sure that she is in menopause if she has not had menstruation for 12 consecutive months.

What’s the difference between perimenopause and menopause?

Perimenopause refers to the period of time right before menopause begins.

During perimenopause, your body is beginning the transition into menopause. That means that hormone production from your ovaries is beginning to decline. You may begin to experience some symptoms commonly associated with menopause, like hot flashes. Your menstrual cycle may become irregular, but it won’t cease during the perimenopause stage.

In the months or years leading up to menopause (perimenopause), you might experience these signs and symptoms:

• Irregular periods.
• Vaginal dryness.
• Hot flashes.
• Chills.
• Night sweats.
• Sleep problems.
• Mood changes.
• Weight gain and slowed metabolism.

Causes of menopause symptoms:

One way to understand menopausal symptoms is that imbalances in the thyroid and adrenal glands interact with lowered hormone levels.

This occurs most often when the ovaries cease producing the same amount of ovarian hormones such as estrogen and progesterone.

Normally, the adrenal glands should increase or balance the lower ovarian production and there should be no symptoms. If they do not do this, then symptoms arise. Said differently, the inappropriate responses of the adrenal and thyroid glands to the changes in the ovarian hormones are what cause the vast majority of menopausal symptoms. This means that correcting thyroid and adrenal imbalances can go a long way to preventing and correcting menopausal symptoms.

The Adrenal Glands and Menopause:

The adrenal glands, perched on top the kidneys, produce small quantities of both male and female sex hormones. At the menopause, the adrenal glands should produce adequate estrogens, progesterone and other needed hormones in the correct balance and amounts to avoid symptoms that can occur when ovarian hormone production of these hormones diminishes.

However, many women today have a condition that is termed adrenal insufficiency. This is basically under activity of the adrenal glands. These women’s adrenals do not respond correctly to the new need for sex hormones in response to diminished ovarian hormone secretion. Briefly, the causes of weakened adrenals include stress of any kind, nutritional deficiencies and almost always a build up of toxic substances. These include toxic metals and perhaps environmental chemicals in the adrenal glands themselves and/or in the pituitary gland, which regulates the adrenal glands, signaling them when and how much of its hormones to secrete.

At times, an imbalance of the autonomic nervous system is at fault as well. This can cause the adrenals to malfunction, secreting either too much or too little or the incorrect balance of hormones.

Understanding the Menopausal Transition:

Menopause is the end of a woman’s menstrual cycle. During this period of time, women may have changes in their monthly cycles, hot flashes, or other symptoms, are called the menopausal transition, or perimenopause.

The menopausal transition most often begins between ages 45 and 55. It usually lasts about 7 years but can last as long as 14 years. During the menopausal transition, the body’s production of estrogen and progesterone, two hormones made by the ovaries, varies greatly. Bones become less dense, making women more vulnerable to fractures. During this period, too, the body begins to use energy differently, fat cells change, and women may gain weight more easily.

The menopausal transition, sometimes called perimenopause, begins several years before a woman’s last period. During this time, women may experience spotty menstrual cycles, hot flashes, and other changes.

How long does menopause last?

Once in menopause (you haven’t had a period for 12 months) and on into postmenopause, the symptoms may continue for an average of four to five years, but they decrease in frequency and intensity. Some women report their symptoms last longer. The most common symptoms include: Hot flashes.

After menopause, women enter post-menopause. Post-menopausal women are more vulnerable to heart disease and osteoporosis. At this time, it is important to eat a healthy diet and make sure you get lots of calcium to keep your bones strong.

How does menopause affect my bone health?

The decline in estrogen production can affect the amount of calcium in your bones. This can cause significant decreases in bone density, leading to a condition known as osteoporosis. It can also make you more susceptible to hip, spine, and other bone fractures. Many women experience accelerated bone loss the first few years after their last menstrual period.

To keep your bones healthy:

• Eat foods with lots of calcium, such as dairy products or dark leafy greens.
• Take vitamin D supplements.
• Exercise regularly and include weight training in your exercise routine.
• Reduce alcohol consumption.
• Avoid smoking.

Treatment of menopause:

Menopause is not a health problem but a natural transition. However, it can involve unwanted physical and mental changes. Anyone who has concerns about these changes should seek medical advice.
Studies show that lifestyle changes and some supplements can help relieve menopausal symptoms as well as improve a woman’s quality of life.

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