Menopause
What is Menopause
Menopause can be a sensitive topic — for many women, the menopause transition marks the end of their reproductive years and the onset of aging, which can be a difficult and emotional time. Speculations about menopause also create stigmas and actually prevent women from getting the support and treatment they need – and deserve – during this phase of life.
The stage of perimenopause begins for some women as early as in their 30s. This is the point at which the body begins to gradually reduce its production of the hormones estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone, resulting in symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, and over 100 others. The next stage is menopause, the conclusion of the reproductive cycle, marked by twelve consecutive months without a period. A woman may still experience symptoms during this stage and up to 20 years from the beginning of perimenopause.
Menopause symptoms are complicated. Here at Anchor Beauty Center, we’re focused on taking care of women and supporting them along this journey. Find out more about the menopause transition, symptoms, and how to manage them – so you can get on with living your best life.
As we move through the menopause transition, we experience hormone fluctuations, characterized by symptoms like hot flashes, low libido, vaginal dryness, and more. Finding treatment for these symptoms isn’t always easy, and knowing what’s right can feel intimidating. At Anchor Beauty Center, our health care providers prescribe Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT). This treatment involves using bioidentical estrogen and progestogen, as well as DHEA, to restore the declining hormone levels that are causing your symptoms.
Common Hormonal Symptons
Hot Flashes
Hot flashes are one of the most common hormonal symptoms women can experience during the menopause transition. It’s estimated that 75-85% of menopausal women experience hot flashes in some form.
A hot flash is a sudden feeling of warmth that spreads over the body and is often accompanied by a red, flushed face and sweating. Hot flashes can also be accompanied by other symptoms like rapid heartbeat, dizziness, and anxiety. Fortunately, there are lifestyle choices that can help mitigate hot flashes, including wearing loose clothing, avoiding triggers like spicy foods, practicing stress-relieving techniques, and more.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can also help alleviate hot flashes. Addressing hot flashes may help to prevent the risk of other health conditions that can result from severe, unchecked hot flashes. Find out more about hot flashes during menopause and how to manage them.
Common Hormonal Symptons
Vaginal Dryness
It can feel embarrassing to talk about vaginal itchiness and dryness, but these conditions are not uncommon in women going through the menopause transition. A drop in hormone levels of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone can lead to what is medically called Vulvar and Vaginal Atrophy (VVA) or Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM).
VVA/GSM is described as the thinning, drying, and inflammation of the vaginal wall. The vaginal tissue also becomes less elastic and more fragile, the results of which can be itchiness and dryness.
Vaginal atrophy is often accompanied by urinary symptoms and can significantly affect quality of life, worsening with age if not managed. But there’s no reason any woman should have to suffer this discomfort throughout the menopause transition. Learn more about the causes of vaginal itchiness and dryness, how it’s diagnosed, and treatment options for relief.
Common Hormonal Symptons
Weight Maintenance
As women age and enter the menopause transition, starting as early as their 30s, a reduction in hormone levels can slow down the body’s metabolism and cause an increase in fat tissue, particularly around the abdomen. This change can lead to hormonal weight gain, making it more difficult to maintain a healthy, desired weight.
Additionally, the physical symptoms of menopause, like hot flashes and sleep disturbances, can affect appetite and energy levels, which may also contribute to weight gain. Weight fluctuations also vary depending on individual factors including age, lifestyle, and genetics.
At Anchor Beauty Center, our doctors prescribe bioidentical hormone replacement therapy to target fluctuating hormone levels and the resulting symptoms like hormonal weight gain. Learn more about the hormone triggers for weight gain during menopause, what might be causing these changes, and what treatments and lifestyle changes can help with weight maintenance.
Common Hormonal Symptons
Mood, Anxiety, Depression
Many women have a similar story of starting to struggle with their mental health as they approach their 40s. This is no coincidence. Menopause can have dramatic effects on mental health, causing women to experience mood swings, anxiety, and even depression.
Throughout women’s lives, it’s natural to experience some hormone fluctuations that can affect mood and mental health, beginning with puberty, and continuing monthly through the reproductive years. So, just as with menstruation and pregnancy, it’s common for women to struggle with mood swings during the menopause transition. A sharp drop or imbalance in estrogen and progesterone levels in menopausal years can have unpleasant results.
At Winona, our doctors can help manage these symptoms with the right treatment. Find out more about menopausal mood swings, anxiety, and depression, and learn the best tips on how to address mental health concerns.
Common Hormonal Symptons
Relationship
Going through the menopause transition can have a major impact on a woman’s well-being, and these changes may affect usual relationship habits.
Mood swings, brain fog, extreme fatigue, low libido, and vaginal dryness are just a few of the 100+ symptoms women may notice. Some women experience the inability to self-lubricate, thinning vaginal walls, and painful sex, all of which can affect libido. The experience can feel exhausting, overwhelming, and uncomfortable.
The good news is that the hormonal changes that accompany the menopause transition don’t have to erode physical intimacy and relationships. Read on to learn more about relationships and how to have healthy, happy physical intimacy well beyond the menopause transition, with the help of HRT.
Common Hormonal Symptons
Testosterone for Women
Testosterone is the primary sex hormone in men that promotes the development of male secondary sexual characteristics, but it’s not only a male hormone. Although it is predominantly produced in the testes, testosterone is also produced in the ovaries and adrenal glands of women.
As women go through menopause, their testosterone production may decrease, which can lead to symptoms like low libido, reduced muscle mass and strength, sleep disturbances, mood changes, and even osteoporosis.
However, supplementing testosterone levels with HRT has been shown to help women combat these testosterone-specific symptoms that can result from menopausal hormone fluctuations. Read more about testosterone for women and the benefits of HRT for relieving menopause symptoms.
Common Hormonal Symptons
Hair, Skin and Nails
It can be challenging to maintain confidence and self-esteem as women move through the menopause transition. Many changes occur, and these can include elements of physical appearance.
One of the most significant changes is the decline in estrogen levels, which can lead to a reduction in collagen production. Collagen is a protein that helps to keep skin firm and elastic. The hormonal changes of menopause can also affect hair and nails. Some women may experience thinning hair and dry, itchy skin during menopause.
HRT can address the underlying hormone fluctuations that may be contributing to changes in skin and hair. That, in combination with gentle products, can help maintain radiant, glowing skin and thick, healthy hair in this phase of life. Learn more about regenerative care and how HRT can help.