All About Hormones - Part 3
Menopause
Did you know that you now have very balanced hormones? You’re currently much more hormonally balanced than men, as they continue to deal with hormone fluctuations throughout their lives.
…I just think that’s cool (and a good retort when people say that menopausal women are “too hormonal” to be in any power positions…like what the media said when Hillary Clinton was running)
Menopause is defined by the time of life after your period stops for a full year. But, your period stopping doesn’t mean your symptoms have stopped (ugg).
It’s common to continue to feel symptoms for about 4 years after your last period…and some women (a whopping 1 in 10) continue to feel symptoms for 10 years. If that’s you…work through the Hormone Balancing Pathway, and/or it might be time to visit a Naturopath or a Functional Medicine Doctor to assess your hormones.
The sad and frustrating truth is, even though HALF the population goes through this transition, it’s still alarmingly understudied and undertreated. A study found that most women had to visit their doctor 4x before getting any testing or treatment for their symptoms. FOUR!
Three types of menopause –
Artificial menopause – 25% of women experience immediate menopause after their ovaries are removed or from certain treatments (like chemo or radiation). This is a very quick transition, so symptoms tend to be intense.
Premature menopause – This is when women enter menopause in their late 30s or early 40s (or earlier). It’s usually caused by a health condition (like an auto-immune disease), high stress, or it’s a genetic trait. This is usually a faster transition than natural menopause, so symptoms can be pretty strong.
Natural menopause – This is the natural transition that happens to most women between 45 – 55. The process usually takes 5 – 10 years.
According to Dr. Christiane Northrup (OB/GYN), this can be a time of huge creativity and ambition. Our motivation can change, so things we cared deeply for can shift and move.
You may also feel extra frustrated, annoyed, and realize that certain parts of life feel intolerable. If you’d like to learn more about the emotional transition of menopause, check out Dr. Northrup’s amazing book The Wisdom of Menopause.
Your changing hormone balance –
Your body is creating a new normal when it comes to your hormones. The big monthly fluctuations between estrogen and progesterone have flattened out and your body is moving toward a very stable hormone balance.
But, without as much estrogen in your system, you can have a higher chance of developing a few conditions:
· Osteoporosis
· Insomnia
· Pelvic floor issues (like vaginal dryness, urinary incontinence, vaginal atrophy) – a pelvic floor physiotherapist can be very helpful if you’re dealing with pelvic floor issues.
Helpful tools during Menopause –
1. Hormone Balancing Pathway – if you’re feeling any symptoms or can’t seem to lose any weight, check out Part 4 for nutritional support <3
2. Acupuncture – has been found to reduce symptoms and help with sleep. Research has found that even a short course of acupuncture can be effective :).
3. Herbal Supplements – can really help to reduce symptoms…but what works is highly individual. Try out a few options to find what works for you. Check out the herbal section in Part 2 (Perimenopause) for ideas
Now it’s time to head over to the Hormone Balancing Pathway!
Got any questions or comments? Jump to our private Facebook Group or the Ask Lisa page :)