Menopause is a natural biological process that all women experience as they age. It refers to the point when a woman stops having her monthly menstrual cycles. This typically occurs between the ages of 45-55.
The lead up to menopause is called perimenopause, which can begin up to 10 years beforehand. During perimenopause, estrogen levels start to fluctuate and decline, causing symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, mood changes, and interrupted sleep patterns.
Once a woman has gone 12 months without a period, she has officially reached menopause. At this stage, the ovaries stop releasing eggs and producing estrogen and progesterone. This marks the end of a woman's reproductive years.
Some of the key changes and common symptoms during and after menopause include:
The transition through perimenopause and into menopause can last 4-5 years on average. Some women breeze through it with minimal issues, while others find it significantly interferes with their quality of life.
Hormone therapy medications that provide estrogen and progesterone can help relieve symptoms. There are also many lifestyle changes that can ease the transition, like avoiding trigger foods/drinks, layering clothing, exercising regularly, reducing stress through yoga/meditation, etc.
If you're struggling through perimenopause or menopause, consider making an appointment with Harmony Hormone Therapy. Their caring medical staff can provide customized hormone therapy treatment plans to help women find relief. Getting your hormones balanced again helps women feel like themselves during this transitional phase of life.