Menopause is the year after your last menstrual period; it marks the end of menstrual cycles. The average age for menopause in the US is 51, although it can occur in your 40s or 50s. Generally menopause is caused by a natural decline in hormone production, specifically estrogen and progesterone, which begins in your late 30s. Hysterectomies, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy can also cause menopause. In the case of a total hysterectomy, the process is immediate and sudden. A partial hysterectomy does not usually cause menopause. One other cause is something called primary ovarian sufficiency. This is where the body is unable to produce the normal amount of hormones, causing menopause to occur before 40. This is usually due to an autoimmune or genetic disorder. Primary ovarian sufficiency occurs in about 1% of women.
Peri or Pre-Menopause is the name for the months or years before beginning menopause. In this transitional time, you can experience a variety of basic signs and symptoms that menopause is coming. Women can feel like something is “changing” with their hormones and their body. While it is possible to have regular menstruation all the way up through Pre-Menopause, most people experience irregular periods and can even skip periods, only having them every 2-4 months. Other common signs and symptoms of Pre- Menopause include the following:
- Irregular periods
- Vaginal dryness
- Hot flashes
- Night sweats
- Sleep problems
- Mood changes
- Fatigue
- Weight gain and slowed metabolism
- Thinning hair and dry skin
- Loss of breast fullness
There are complications that can occur with menopause, such as cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, weight gain, and urinary incontinence. If you think you might be experiencing perimenopause or menopause, we recommend a check of your hormone levels. This can help let you know where you are in the “change” process. At Nutritionally Yours, we recommend female hormone saliva testing along with comprehensive thyroid blood tests. Traditional blood tests for female hormone levels are not helpful enough as they only look at the hormones currently being used and transported by the body. Hormone saliva tests look at the hormone potential of the body, and gives a better idea of what your body is producing. Saliva is also a beneficial way to identify if a hormone is stuck in the tissues and contributing to “high” hormone symptoms like weight gain, anxiety, trouble sleeping and more.
Nutritionally Yours is here so you can overcome health challenges and get on with living and enjoying your life.
On a personal note, I totally understand the basic signs and symptoms of entering menopause. The change came on pretty suddenly for me, pretty much when I turned age 40. One day things are normal, period comes every 28 days, weight is good, skin looked healthy, energy was there and then everything changed. I started getting my period along with PMS symptoms every TWO weeks and with it came mood swings, weight gain, fatigue, hair loss, goodness I did not like it!. Of course my female hormone blood tests were totally normal. It was the female saliva hormone tests that showed me what was happening to my hormones and my body. Once I started balancing out my hormones “differently” since I was “changing” I started to balance out. It made me and my family very happy!
Hundreds of clients from the Atlanta, GA area and around the world work with Nutritionally Yours.
Our staff is made up of a medical doctor, naturopath, holistic minded nutritionist, and a wonderful customer service team.
We offer in office consultations for people in the Atlanta area and phone consultations for people outside the area that need assistance feeling better.
Don’t let Menopause and hormone changes effect the quality of your life, we can help you feel fantastic again!
678-372-2913 / Toll Free: 866-307-2495
Email: alanepnd@gmail.com
Website: Nutritionallyyours.net
Like us on Medical disclaimer: Saliva testing cannot be used to diagnose, treat or cure any disease. All test results are to be used as educational materials and as a guide to help support your overall health and wellness. Always discuss concerns with your medical doctor.
References
Staff, Mayo Clinic. “Menopause – Mayo Clinic”. Mayoclinic.org. N.p., 2016. Web. 10 Feb. 2016.
by Alane Palmer, Naturopath, CNC
