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Menopause is the cessation of menses; the end of the menstrual cycle. However, the pattern of a woman’s monthly hormone secretions actually starts to change years earlier, usually at some point in her 40’s.
Most women reach menopause at about age 51 to 55. Skipping 12 periods in a row “officially” confirms menopause. In addition there is a significant decline in ovarian functioning. Ovarian function continues to subside as certain landmark events take place. Ovulation ceases and with it the production and secretion of progesterone.
Signs of menopause and peri-menopause:
hot flashes and night sweats
insomnia
fatigue
emotional "problems"
sexual changes
palpitations (not a common symptom)
trouble remembering or memory problems
What causes hot flashes?
Menopause, Estrogen and Progesterone
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What is Perimenopause or Premenopause?
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Perimenopause is the interval between regular ovarian menstrual cycles and the cessation of ovarian function. The hormones of a woman’s menstrual cycle begin to shift out of balance during the premenopausal (perimenopausal) years and become more erratic during the following years. The years before periods stop forever are called perimenopause. Many women are surprised to learn that the perimenopausal phase can last as long as ten years. During this time, some periods may be heavier or lighter than others. Cycles begin to be irregular or to be skipped completely in some months.
Perimenopause is often marked by a wide variety of symptoms reflecting the body’s response to its changing hormone balance.
These include:
* Hot flashes
* Night sweats
* Insomnia
* Vaginal dryness and thinning of the vaginal area
* Decreased libido (sex drive)
* Anxiety, Anger, Mood Swings
* Forgetfulness or “fuzzy brain” syndrome
* Depression, feelings of despair
* Vaginal and bladder infections
* Short-term memory loss
* Joint and muscle pain
* Rapid skin aging & Loss of tone in breasts
* Fatigue and heart palpitations
* Shorter or longer menstrual cycles
* Change of menstrual flow
What is Estrogen Dominance?
John R. Lee, M.D., has coined a phrase he calls Estrogen Dominance. The signs and symptoms of estrogen dominance are (and, by the way you can have one or many of these): water retention, breast swelling, PMS mood swings, depression, loss of libido, heavy or irregular menses, weight gain and craving for sweets, and fat deposits on hips and thighs.
Dr. Lee states that a sign of estrogen dominance is weight gain caused by both water retention and fat deposition at hips and thighs. This “pear shape” dilemma is a common complaint and may be due to synthetic estrogen (prescribed alone) and also the rapid drop in progesterone level that accompanies menopause.
What Should You Do if You Have Estrogen Dominance?
According to Dr. Lee, “supplementation with Natural Progesterone will alleviate most of these symptoms by increasing your body’s natural hormone balance. No matter how valuable estrogen is, when unopposed by progesterone, it is not something to be wholly desired in the female body. Many of estrogen’s undesirable side effects are blocked by progesterone.”
If suspect that you are in Perimenopause or have Estrogen Dominance the best way to find out is by having your hormones tested using a saliva test. You can find out more about saliva testing on this page: Saliva Hormone Testing.
You can also take the Hormone Balance Survey to see which products may relieve your symptoms.
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