Menopause is a natural transition that all women go through as they age. It marks the end of a woman's reproductive years and is defined as occurring 12 months after a woman's last menstrual period. During the menopausal transition, a woman's body experiences many changes as her ovaries begin producing less of the key female hormones - estrogen and progesterone. This fluctuation and overall decline in estrogen and progesterone levels during menopause is what leads to hormonal imbalances for many women.
The hormonal changes associated with menopause often begin several years before a woman's final period. In the years leading up to menopause (known as perimenopause), the levels of estrogen and progesterone start to fluctuate and decline. It's these hormone fluctuations that cause many of the symptoms women experience in perimenopause, like hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, mood changes, trouble sleeping, and irregular periods.
When a woman reaches menopause, her estrogen levels drop significantly, as the ovaries stop releasing eggs each month. Progesterone levels also decline as a result. This major drop in estrogen and progesterone causes hormonal imbalances for most women as their bodies adjust to dramatically different hormone levels. After menopause, a woman's main source of estrogen is from peripheral tissues like fat, rather than her ovaries. However, the amount produced is much lower than before menopause. The postmenopausal ovary still produces androgens and continues to be the major source of testosterone.
Some of the most common hormonal imbalance issues women face after menopause include:
- Low estrogen levels, leading to symptoms like hot flashes, vaginal atrophy, dry skin, mood swings, and sleep disturbances. Estrogen helps regulate body temperature, keeps vaginal tissues healthy, and impacts mood, sleep, and heart health. Low estrogen after menopause causes disruptions in all these areas.
- Altered progesterone levels, as progesterone declines along with estrogen. This can contribute to menstrual irregularities, hot flashes, and mood changes.
- Testosterone imbalance, as testosterone becomes the predominant sex hormone. Too much testosterone can cause acne, facial hair growth, and aggression in some women.
- Elevated FSH and LH, as the pituitary gland works harder to stimulate the ovaries to produce hormones. High FSH and LH levels are associated with menopausal symptoms like hot flashes and sleep disturbances.
In summary, the hormonal changes of menopause - most significantly the major drop in estrogen levels - directly cause hormonal imbalances in women as they go through this transition. While menopause is normal and natural, managing the hormonal imbalance symptoms can be challenging. Lifestyle changes like eating a healthy diet, exercising, managing stress, and getting enough sleep can help. For moderate to severe symptoms that disrupt quality of life, hormone therapy is an effective option for relieving hormonal imbalance issues and alleviating bothersome menopausal symptoms.
If you're experiencing significant or troublesome hormonal imbalance symptoms related to perimenopause or menopause, consult with your healthcare provider about treatment options. Lifestyle remedies combined with bioidentical hormone replacement therapy may provide the most optimal relief. The experts at Balance Hormone Clinic specialize in customized bioidentical hormone therapy programs to help women correct hormonal imbalances and thrive through menopause. Contact them today to schedule a consultation and lab testing to evaluate your hormone levels. With an individualized treatment plan targeted to your specific hormonal needs, you can find relief from hot flashes, night sweats, sleep disruption, mood changes, and other imbalance issues. Balance Hormone Clinic' compassionate and experienced staff will partner with you to take a personalized approach and help you achieve hormonal balance and optimal wellness during this transition.
