What is menopause?

Menopause is defined as when a woman officially has gone 12 months without menstruating. This generally occurs mid-to-late 40’s to early-to-mid 50’s naturally, however may be induced if a woman has undergone radiation or removal of both her ovaries (surgically or chemically).

Perimenopause is the time before menopause when a woman’s period has started to become less regular as she ages.

Ovaries of women in their reproductive years would produce an egg (ovulate) in the presence of hormones called follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and lutenizing hormone (LH). Once a follicle is stimulated and released the production of progesterone begins to increase. As women age, their number of viable eggs (ovarian follicles) decrease and this causes the body to release more FSH and LH to stimulate the ovary. When there is no ovulation, there is no production of progesterone and a relative increase in estrogen occurs (estrogen dominance).

Symptoms of Perimenopause include:

• Fatigue
• Weight gain
• Headaches
• Mood swings
• Declining sex drive
• Irregular periods
• Fibrocystic breasts
• Uterine fibroids
• Fluid retention
• Depression
• Irritability
• Foggy brain
• Memory loss
• Hot flashes

As menopause approaches women also experience a decline of estrogen.

• Vaginal dryness
• Brain fog
• Depression
• Incontinence

The Naturopathic approach:

Symptoms that occur with menopause range in severity from extreme to moderate to mild. Not all women experience significant discomfort during their perimenopause, menopause, and post menopausal years. Our approach involves assessing the hormonal levels via dried urine and other lab tests to examine the balance of estrogen and progesterone and associated symptoms. Our individualized functional treatments include diet and lifestyle modifications, acupuncture, botanicals and vitamins to correct deficiencies as well as ease the transition into menopause.

Menopause is a natural decline in hormones estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone as ovarian function ceases. The adrenal glands continue to produce sex hormones after menopause; for some women who experience continued aggravating symptoms, may require bio-identical hormonal intervention offered at The Wellness Suite.