For every women, Peri Menopause and Menopause is a unique phase of change in a woman’s natural life cycle. This pause is not just a pause in menstruation but in all that seemed routine or normal. In East Asian Medicine it is often called the “second spring”. This is because frequently at this turning point, typically between the ages of 45 and 55, responsibilities and commitments to family and career have changed or slowed down by this time. This next mid life phase offers an opportunity for new beginnings or an opening to return to things you once enjoyed before your life was side tracked by typical adult women’s roles.
There are several healthcare choices you can make at this time when dealing with the body changes and the symptoms that often go along with declining hormone levels. Some women tolerate the most common symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, mood fluctuations, and fatigue without much effort. But many women sometimes find these symptoms almost unbearable. Once it begins impacting your everyday routine, your work performance, and relationships with your loved ones there are important options to consider to help to ease the strain.
Bio identical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) has been safely recommended for menopausal women for several decades. The benefits of replacing declining natural estrogen levels include not only improved moods, sleep, and vitality but has also significant benefit to brain function, bone growth, and cardiovascular health.
Here’s a study looking at BHRT showing in its conclusion estrogens benefits on cognition and preventing Alzheimer disease. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3058507/
In my practice, many women visit with me because they are beginning to experience uncomfortable signs and symptoms of Peri Menopause. They begin to have concerns about their hair falling out more rapidly, have trouble sleeping, or are having persistent hot flashes day or night. What’s most compelling for some is that they begin noticing atypical moods changes or feel their thinking and memory is declining. Some say they can’t seem to think as fast or do their work as well. Or for some, they feel like they are having trouble making decisions that used to be easy.
I hear many stories from my patients after they have had a visit with their primary doctor. . After discussing their health concerns, they often feel disappointed or let down usually because their doctor didn’t listen to them for more than 5 to 10 minutes. When the visit ended many of them were handed a prescription for an anti depressant. They were told menopause could be affecting their moods and this medication might help them get through it. No other suggestions are offered and Bio identical Hormone Replacement is never mentioned. And even if this woman does request it, they are often told its too dangerous to try.
Historically, the body’s own natural estrogen production is known to play a significant role in longevity and maintaining the health of several key body systems. Replacing declining estrogen levels helps to maintain consistency of health and moods and prevents rapid aging.
What most women want that come in for a visit to see me is to feel more vibrant, energetic, and to continue their life activities without restrain. They also want to prevent the onset of chronic diseases.
There are precautions when prescribing Bio-identical Hormone Replacement as is the same for any prescription. That’s why I consistently recommend laboratory tests not only to monitor hormone levels, but to also to check if the hormones are being broken down and metabolized into beneficial pathways. Some women have additional genetic markers that favor chronic diseases. Thorough testing helps to weigh the risks and benefits toward successful long term treatments.
Nutrition and nutritional supplements plus herbal therapies can also make a huge difference by supplying depleted and needed nutrients that support natural changes during aging.
Here are 4 essential Nutritional Supplements recommended to help support the common conditions that occur with hormone changes. Included are links to these products by Amazon.
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Vitamin E with mixed tocopherols helps moisten the skin and hair plus it improves blood and hormone circulation. http://amzn.to/2ggcxBg
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Gingko biloba is a common herb that improves blood circulation to the brain and helps improve clearer thinking. http://amzn.to/2geBeOv
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Magnesium citrate relaxes the muscles, improves sleep, support bone density, and decreases inflammation. http://amzn.to/2xmKLaj
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Evening Primrose Oil is a natural plant based oil that may help to regulate hormones. http://amzn.to/2wy7Edk
As for taking any new supplements, begin with one at a time for a few days before adding another one. This allows the immune system to adjust to each one gradually.
If you are experiencing changing health symptoms and wonder if it is related to fluctuating hormone levels or if you have not had a healthcare visit to review your health and well being for more than one year beginning at age 40, schedule a Women’s Midlife Healthcare Evaluation.
This visit includes a full body health review and evaluation aimed to ease your mind about your health concerns and body changes and review your long term risks for chronic disease.
My healthcare practice specializes in a whole body systems review for Women in Mid-life including Bio Identical Hormone Replacement.
Ease your way through your Mid life health transitions and find positive solutions to expand and embrace your best years yet!
Learn more about the risks and benefits of Bio identical Hormone Replacement: menonote-deciding-about-ht-2017
Stay Cool with High Energy:
The late summer heat is on and one way to stay cool and keep your energy up is by keeping your electrolytes balanced. Electrolytes include essential minerals like sodium, potassium, magnesium, chloride, and calcium. Each one plays a role in keeping cell function balanced.
Symptoms of electrolyte imbalance include: muscle cramps, joint swelling, heart palpitations, excess sweating, headaches, nervousness, low energy, and pain. In the warmer months the increased heat plus exercise makes you more likely to loose electrolytes through sweating and evaporation.
One of the best ways you can maintain your electrolyte balance is to drink plenty of fresh water. Natural mineral waters like Perrier, Evian or San Pelligrino include natural electrolytes. Drinking coconut water or water with lemon or cucumbers also helps to add essential electrolytes. Another refreshing drink is sparking water mixed with pomegranate juice. This fruit besides being high in antioxidants also contains an especially high level of potassium. Other options include adding powdered or liquid electrolytes to your everyday drinking water.
Products like LyteShow (30 Single Serving Rip Packs) – Electrolyte Concentrate for Rapid Rehydration – NO Sugars, NO Additives – 30 Servings (With Magnesium, Potassium, Zinc) provides balanced electrolytes without added flavor or sweeteners. Its tastes slightly salty and can also be added to lemon water.
Keep hydrated and Be well!
“Make the most of yourself by fanning the tiny, inner sparks of possibility into flames of achievement.”- Golda Meir
