On average, a woman’s menopause begins when they’re 51 years old.
It’s an inevitable stage of every female’s life but not everyone knows how it affects the body especially regarding hormones. If you’re unfamiliar with the hormonal changes in women, you’ve come to the right place.
Here’s everything you need to know.
Image source: loyolamedicine.org
What Is Menopause?
Before discussing hormones in menopause, it’s important to know what it is. When a female is going through menopause, it means she hasn’t had her period for 12 consecutive months. This is when the ovaries stop releasing eggs so the woman can’t get pregnant and there’s a drop in estrogen levels.
Symptoms of Hormonal Changes
There are many menopause signs such as hot flashes, poor sleep, and difficulty to urinate. Although it’s part of aging, women may get induced menopause as a result of chemotherapy, radiation, or if the ovaries are surgically removed.
Another symptom of hormonal imbalance is night sweats. This is where the woman’s hypothalamus tries to regulate her body temperature by changing the size of the blood vessels. Further, another symptom of menopause in women is mood swings because the decline in estrogen makes you more vulnerable to stress.
Plus, women often experience vaginal dryness because the lack of estrogen means it doesn’t naturally produce lubricants in and around the vagina.
Treatment
Luckily, there is a treatment to combat the uncomfortable menopause changes. It’s impossible to completely restore your hormones but one of the most effective ways is doing hormone therapy (HT) so you feel more comfortable during the process. This method partially replenishes your body with a combination of estrogen and progestogen.
It’s important to note that it’s dangerous to solely take estrogen as it can increase the risk of different types of cancer. “Systematic” hormone therapy comes as a patch that you apply on your skin or as tablet-like hormone pills for the buttocks. Or consider the “Local” version where you apply a small amount of estrogen directly to the vagina as a cream or gel.
You should also eat a protein-rich diet because it gives your body crucial amino acids and optimizes hormonal health so add at least 25 grams of protein with every meal. It’s also wise to load up on fish as it’s packed with omega-3 fatty acids, the key to reducing stress hormones like cortisol. Aim to eat at least three servings a week.
Further, exercise regularly as it stabilizes insulin levels which keeps you energized while maintaining muscle.
That’s Everything About Hormonal Changes in Women
Now you know how menopause affects hormonal changes in women.
Women suffering from intense symptoms should talk with their physician about hormone therapy. This rebalances estrogen levels so you’re no longer in discomfort. It’s also important to exercise daily and eat a protein-rich diet, especially with omega-3 fatty acids. Good luck!
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