This is a subject close to my heart! That’s right me – the Hormone Queen – going through menopause. It’s been a roller coaster ride. I get patients all the time asking me “when is this going to be over?” Well, it helps to know where you are in the change of life.
Changes of Life:
#1: Perimenopause – Bleeding, Bloating, Breast Pain
Perimenopause typically starts between age 35-50 and lasts five to fifteen years. It is characterized by inconsistent ovulation which leads to low progesterone And unopposed estrogen. Your periods become irregular. Your PMS intensifies. You should make 10-50 times more progesterone than estrogen. Estrogen dominance occurs when the two hormones are out of balance which causes water retention, bloating and breast tenderness.
Your cholesterol rises because your liver is just trying to provide your ovaries with LDL cholesterol to make more hormones. Therefore, the unused cholesterol and low progesterone leads to a thick waistline. Your imbalanced hormones affect your hypothalamus causing temperature intolerance and sleep disturbance. Your brain needs progesterone to produce calming GABA so as your progesterone plummets you get moody and anxious.
#2: Menopause – Insomnia, Irritability, Itchiness
Menopause means your periods have stopped. Your FSH is over 30 – your pituitary gland is screaming at your ovaries to make estrogen. But you’re out of eggs. While the average age of Menopause is about 51, it can occur anytime between 40-55 give or take a few years.
Menopause is characterized by low estrogen. Hot flashes and night sweats are signs of low estrogen affecting your hypothalamic thermostat.
While testosterone is often prescribed for women with libido, it is actually low estrogen that lowers your sex drive, creates vaginal dryness, and diminishes your orgasmic potential. Estrogen controls bone cell turnover, so menopause triggers rapid bone loss. Your eyesight diminishes, your skin becomes itchy and you’re more sensitive to allergens. That’s because estrogen helps your thymus program your immune system properly. Low estrogen leads to increased environmental sensitivity and vulnerability to infection.
#3: Postmenopause – Wrinkles, Whiskers, Weakness
Postmenopause is characterized by low estrogen, low testosterone, and low progesterone.
Since your ovaries are not working all, you are totally dependent on your adrenals.
Low estrogen causes memory loss leading to senile dementia.
Low testosterone and low progesterone contribute to osteoporosis since these two hormones help build new bone.
Everything becomes drier and thinner without estrogen – your lips, your skin, your hair, your vulva. Sex may become painful. Without estrogen producing collagen to support your pelvic organs, you’re prone to bladder infections.
Without adequate estrogen to program your immune system properly, your risk of inflammatory diseases like heart disease, arthritis, diabetes, and even cancer increases.
So what are you going to do?
Well first click this link and download my CHANGE OF LIFE CHECKLIST. Fill it out and you can get started in my free Hormone Reboot Training where I teach you how to balance your hormones naturally. Plus, as a member of the Hormone Reboot training you’ll receive my free ebook – Hormones in Harmony®.
This will be so helpful. Thank you,Deborah!