Are my Menopausal Symptoms Due to Hormone Imbalance?
The move into menopause is an important chapter in the life of every woman. In clinical terms menopause is when a woman has stopped ovulating and her periods have stopped for good.
Perimenopause, or the transition into menopause, typically starts when we are between the ages of 45 to 55. At this point, our ovaries that have been regularly releasing estrogen and progesterone since our teens begin to slow down their production of these hormones, and the effect is that our menstruations become erratic and irregular in volume.
The hormones estrogen and progesterone are very closely related and complement each other. While estrogen is a very stimulatory natural hormone, progesterone tempers these stimulatory effects. Both these natural hormones individually have their own essential effects upon the body.
| Estrogen | Progesterone |
|---|---|
| Depression, headache, migraine | Anti-depressant |
| Builds up uterine lining | Maintains uterine lining |
| Stimulates breast tissue | Protects against fibrocysts |
| Increases body fat | Helps use fat for energy |
| Impairs blood sugar control | Regulates blood sugar levels |
| Slightly restrains bone loss | Stimulates bone building |
| Increases blood clotting | Normalizes blood clotting |
| Decreases libido | Restores libido |
When we are finally in menopause, we not only stop ovulating, we also experience the complete stopping of progesterone production. The same does not apply to our estrogen production which is reduced. The continued presence of estrogen in our bloodstream leads to a hormonal imbalance where the natural hormone estrogen is free to act on our bodies unaffected by the beneficial effects of progesterone (see the table above).
Also known as estrogen dominance, this imbalance leads to a variety of unpleasant symptoms, such as hot flashes, poor bladder control, sleep disturbances, vaginal dryness, mood swings and irritability. Some women also report weight gain, lack of energy, malaise, forgetfulness, cloudy thoughts, anxiety or panic attacks, sore bones and general aches and pains.
Not everyone will experience all these symptoms; however, even one or two can be difficult to cope with if not addressed adequately. Correcting this imbalance — specifically, compensating for the lack of progesterone — will usually rid us of many of these symptoms within a few months.
Even in perimenopausal women, this kind of natural hormone imbalance can be a cause for anxiety, depression and confusion. Shorter intervals between periods, spotting, irregular bleeding and heavy bleeding are all indicators of this natural hormone imbalance. The long-standing belief that these symptoms were due to estrogen deficiency is rapidly being replaced by the growing realization that the presence of progesterone would have prevented these symptoms.
There are a variety of options a woman can choose from to control these symptoms of progesterone deficiency. There are pills and creams, to name a few.
Progesterone in pill or tablet form has not proven effective as natural hormone replacement therapy because the digestive system almost totally breaks down the active hormone before it can enter the blood stream.
Researchers have shown that when properly formulated with certain specific natural carriers, the most effective progesterone delivery system comes in the form of creams. Transdermal (absorbed through the skin) or vaginal application of the cream allows the medication to bypass the liver, ensuring effective absorption. Creams provide us a safe and efficient way to remedy the discomforts of menopause and perimenopause, and help us regain our natural hormone balance.
If you suffer from natural hormone imbalance, you may be suffering from a number of other symptoms of progesterone deficiency. You might want to check this by clicking the link below that describes these symptoms in detail.
Click here to read about the symptoms of PMS