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Peri-menopause and Menopause
Peri-menopause is the process of change that leads up to menopause. It can start as early as your late 30s or as late as your early 50s. How long perimenopause lasts varies, but it usually lasts from 2 to 8 years. You may have irregular periods or other symptoms during this time.
Menopause is the point in a woman's life when she has not had a menstrual period for 1 year. Menopause marks the end of the childbearing years.
Peri-menopause
The Loss of Progesterone:
Progesterone is only produced in the second half of the normal 28-day menstrual cycle. Only if a woman produces a healthy egg will the ovary add progesterone to the estrogen and testosterone it is already producing. As women age, women get fewer and fewer eggs. Those remaining eggs are more frequently defective. After age 35, most cycles do not produce a healthy egg. Progesterone production gets weaker and less frequent with time. Estrogen production, however, can remain strong. Many women after age 35 produce estrogen without the balancing benefits of progesterone. This can lead to irregular or heavy periods, weight gain, migraines, sleep disturbance, PMS, fibroid growth and cancer.
Estrogen Dominance:
Estrogen and Progesterone, both hormones are needed, however, they must be in balance. Estrogen and progesterone balance each other in many ways. Estrogen mildly stimulates fat production, progesterone stimulates fat burning. Estrogen causes mild fluid retention. Progesterone promotes fluid elimination. Estrogen is a brain stimulator, promoting verbal thinking and libido. Progesterone induces calm, reduces migraines, and improves sleep. Estrogen without progesterone, or too little progesterone, is called unopposed estrogen or results in estrogen dominance. Estrogen can promote fluid retention and carbohydrate cravings, resulting in weight gain, increase migraines. Sleep is not restful because of interruption of the dream cycle (REM) sleep. Because of immune system stimulation, unopposed estrogen may be involved with the increased incidence of many autoimmune diseases in women in their late reproductive years and also gallbladder disease. After years of estrogen excess, the constant growth stimulation of the endometrium and breast tissue may lead to the growth of pre-existing cancer cells.
Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Therapy:
Bio-identical hormones are manufactured in the lab to have the same molecular structure as the hormones made by your own body. By contrast, synthetic hormones are intentionally different. Drug companies can’t patent a bio-identical structure, so they invent synthetic hormones that are patentable (Premarin, Prempro, and Provera being the most widely used examples). The great appeal of bio-identical hormones is that they are natural, and our bodies can metabolize them as it was designed to do, minimizing side effects. Synthetic hormones are quite strong and often produce intolerable side effects.
First of all, your anti-aging physician needs to have a comprehensive review of your symptoms, medical, family and personal history. Secondly, your anti-aging physician will take select saliva, urine and/or blood lab tests according to your symptoms and medical history. Then, your anti-aging physician will assess your individual needs and work to restore these hormones and customize a medical plan specifically for you.
Menopause
The medical definition of menopause is for a woman to go twelve straight months without having a menstrual period. The most common symptoms of menopause are caused by estrogen deficiency, such as hot flashes, night sweats, foggy thinking, vaginal dryness, sleeping difficulties, mood changes, low libido, weight gain, depression, memory problems, and low energy. The average age of the onset of menopause is 51. All women eventually reach menopause; there is nothing anyone can do to prevent it or delay it. Over 80% of women will develop unpleasant symptoms as a result of this inevitable estrogen and progesterone decline. Women also suffer from the loss of testosterone, DHEA, and thyroid hormones at this time.
Bio-identical hormones replacement therapy is more effective at eliminating symptoms of menopause. Besides symptom relief, there is a lot of medical evidence that indicates that bio-identical hormone replacement also delays the onset of osteoporosis, heart disease and mental decline.
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