MENOPAUSE! AM I HERE ALREADY?
The most of the frightening factors of the menopause is unknown. What is happening? Are the symptoms I have menopausal or something else happening with the body? Is HRT the best option? Why my partner do not attract me any more? Is it forever? I feel dreadful but maybe it is normal because I am in menopause?
You should have the answers to all your questions..moreover you should not only manage to go through the menopause, but master it and have the happiest time ever!!
WHAT is the menopause? You don’t wake up one day and find yourself arrived in menopause. Menopause is a time of transition, the end of the fertile years and an individual experience for every woman. This transition may last up to a decade. There are 4 phases women usually experience before reaching menopause:
Phase 1- very early perimenopause, can begin at mid 30s - early 40s, can last two-five years. The periods are completely regular, but oestrogen levels begin to spike at this stage, when progesterone is dripping down. That might result in symptoms such us heavier periods, more painful periods, headaches, sleep disturbances and mood changes. That is all because of the effect of spiking oestrogen and dropping of the progesterone.
Phase 2- perimenopause/earlier menopause. At this stage periods might start varying in length by 7 or more days. Progesterone levels are low, but oestrogen is high, and it is start fluctuating more. There’s more dramatic drops in oestrogen resulting in more severe symptoms of phase 1 plus hot flushes and night sweats might kick off. Because of continuing low progesterone heart palpitations and anxiety might be experienced. Progesterone has anti-inflammatory effect, so the immune system may become weaker with lowering levels of progesterone.
The most of the frightening factors of the menopause is unknown. What is happening? Are the symptoms I have menopausal or something else happening with the body? Is HRT the best option? Why my partner do not attract me any more? Is it forever? I feel dreadful but maybe it is normal because I am in menopause?
You should have the answers to all your questions..moreover you should not only manage to go through the menopause, but master it and have the happiest time ever!!
WHAT is the menopause? You don’t wake up one day and find yourself arrived in menopause. Menopause is a time of transition, the end of the fertile years and an individual experience for every woman. This transition may last up to a decade. There are 4 phases women usually experience before reaching menopause:
Phase 1- very early perimenopause, can begin at mid 30s - early 40s, can last two-five years. The periods are completely regular, but oestrogen levels begin to spike at this stage, when progesterone is dripping down. That might result in symptoms such us heavier periods, more painful periods, headaches, sleep disturbances and mood changes. That is all because of the effect of spiking oestrogen and dropping of the progesterone.
Phase 2- perimenopause/earlier menopause. At this stage periods might start varying in length by 7 or more days. Progesterone levels are low, but oestrogen is high, and it is start fluctuating more. There’s more dramatic drops in oestrogen resulting in more severe symptoms of phase 1 plus hot flushes and night sweats might kick off. Because of continuing low progesterone heart palpitations and anxiety might be experienced. Progesterone has anti-inflammatory effect, so the immune system may become weaker with lowering levels of progesterone.
Phase 3-is late menopause transition and may last up to 3 years. Usually at this stage the cycles become longer, you might even skip the period because of anovulatory cycle. Symptoms of high oestrogen can start to ease because lowering levels of estrogen – even though it might still be fluctuating. As a result, breast pain could ease but night sweats and hot flashes could get worse as well as irritability and depression.
Abdominal weight gain is quite common as with dropping levels of progesterone and oestrogen you naturally become more insulin resistant and have a relative androgen excess, which itself drives insulin resistance (which in turn can drive up androgens.)
Phase 4 - late perimenopause stage is the window when you stop ovulating and having periods but but 12 months haven’t gone by yet so you haven’t officially reached menopause. Body starts to accustom to low levels of oestrogen therefore symptoms of high and fluctuating estrogen are easing – mood and sleep might be stabilising, although hot flashes can continue for a while after.
Abdominal weight gain is quite common as with dropping levels of progesterone and oestrogen you naturally become more insulin resistant and have a relative androgen excess, which itself drives insulin resistance (which in turn can drive up androgens.)
Phase 4 - late perimenopause stage is the window when you stop ovulating and having periods but but 12 months haven’t gone by yet so you haven’t officially reached menopause. Body starts to accustom to low levels of oestrogen therefore symptoms of high and fluctuating estrogen are easing – mood and sleep might be stabilising, although hot flashes can continue for a while after.
The decline or absence of oestrogen can mean changes to energy levels, memory, metabolism, weight, bone health, muscle mass, libido, hormones, urinary and heart health.
To help your body adapt to declining levels of oestrogen you should ensure that you are getting enough of the right foods to provide specific nutrients to keep you healthy during the menopause and beyond. Additionally, vitamins, minerals, and herbal remedies help to support hormones, heart and bone health. The key nutrients from foods and supplements, together with lifestyle changes boost your metabolism, mood and energy so you could feel more healthy and powerful than ever. HOW TO MANAGE MENOPAUSAL SYMPTOMS continue to read
