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Menopause
and Natural Hormone Replacement Therapy
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| Understanding
Menopause - Symptoms Of Menopause |
As
most women approach menopause, their menstrual periods become irregular
- they happen closer together and/or further apart. Other common
symptoms include
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Symptoms
Association With Estrogen Loss
And Onset Of Menopause
(adapted from: Lobo, 1999; Abrams et al., 2000)
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| Psychological
Symptoms |
Somatic
Symptoms |
Physiological
Symptoms |
Irritability
Occasional sleeplessness
Mood swings
Depressed mood
Anxiety
Nervousness
Poor concentration
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Hot
flashes
Profuse sweating
Headache
Vertigo
Palpitations
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Loss
of skin elasticity
Urogenital atrophy
Incontinence
Weight gain
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Most
Common Symptoms
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| Vasomotor
Symptoms
- commonly known as "Hot Flashes" are experience by
75% of the women in the US. Hot flashes that occur with drenching
perspiration are called night sweats this usually results in
fragmented sleep patterns associated with menopause.. During
a hot flash blood rushed to the skin especially the hands and
toes where temperature can rise 1-7degrees C. A sudden wave
of heat then spreads all over the body with flushing to facial
area, followed by a drop in core body temperatures. Women whom
have hot flashes usually have them for 3-5 years but some women
can have hot flashes 10 to 20 years after onset of menopause.
Hot flashes are usually self-limited over time as the body slowly
adapts itself to lower estrogen levels. |
Vulva
and Vaginal Symptoms
- (Urogenital atrophy) Declining estrogen levels causes the
tissue of the vagina and urethra (the opening to the bladder)
to become thinner, drier, and less elastic. The first symptom
is a reduction of vaginal fluid secretions. This dryness is
due to diminished blood flow to the vaginal walls, fewer cells
lining the walls, less mucus produced by the cervix, and less
fluid in general.
Decreased lubrication and dryness will develop early in Perimenopause
with the reduction in estrogen levels. Physical changes to the
vagina won't occur overnight, and will be less severe in sexually
active women. The vaginal walls, in a process called atrophy,
become thinner, less elastic and pale. The stretchy wrinkles
that provided the amazing expansion required for childbirth
smooth out and disappear. Without the usual moisture, the vagina
fails to lubricate properly during sexual arousal and intercourse.
The thin, less flexible surface can be easily injured by sexual
intercourse, especially if it is infrequent.
With the loss of estrogen, the vaginal pH changes from a normally
acidic low to a higher, more alkaline pH. This less acidic environment
discourages the growth of important protective organisms, lactobacillus
that acts as a bacterial guard against abnormal bacteria and
yeasts. In the absence of lactobacillus, these "bad guys"
overgrow and can cause discharge, irritation, and give rise
to increased urinary tract infections.
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Skin
Tone
- Estrogen depletion leads to loss of skin moisture and suppleness,
which contributes to sagging, bagging, and wrinkling. Collagen,
which is responsible for skin resilience and tone, is at its
peak quantity between ages 20 and 40.
Sun damage and smoking can decrease the formation of collagen
and, after 40; there is an age related collagen loss. The
age-related loss accelerates significantly after menopause,
giving rise to dry, flaky "alligator" skin and wrinkles.
Several studies have demonstrated: Women after menopause can
get the skin benefits of estrogen with topical preparations.
Two of these studies done by Dr. Schmidt and colleagues, from
the University of Vienna Medical School, Austria called Treatment
of skin aging with topical estrogen studied the effects
of topical estrogen treatment with 0.01% estradiol or 0.3%
estriol in 59 postmenopausal women. After 6 month of treatment,
a marked improvement in skin elasticity and firmness was noted;
wrinkle depth and pore size decreased by 61 and 100 percent
in estradiol and estriol group, respectively. Skin moisture
and collagen synthesis increased significantly.
The skin is a reflection of our bones. If we have a tendency
to lose collagen in our skin, the same will occur in our bones.
Hormone replacement therapy significantly decreases reductions
in skin elasticity that accompany menopause. It has been shown
in studies that skin tensile strength parameters are significantly
more favorable in the HRT group than the no-HRT groups. Pale,
fine-skinned white women, especially if they are thin, who
suffer significant skin loss changes in menopause are undergoing
similar bone loss with the development of osteoporosis.
Collagen maintenance doesn't come in the form of creams, facials,
or plastic surgery. Hormone replacement
therapy (HRT) alone increases collagen production after
menopause.
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Sexual
Relationships
-For some women, freedom from birth control and freedom from
worries regarding unwanted pregnancy releases long-held inhibitions.
Sex becomes freer, more spontaneous, and more enjoyable.
For others, physical changes including reduced lubrication,
thinning of the vaginal walls, and reduced levels of hormones,
reduces sexual desire or interest. Reduced frequency of intercourse
can result in further thinning of the vagina and in reduced
elasticity - which may ultimately lead to pain during intercourse
- which further reduces sexual desire. To avoid or reduce the
incidence of these problems, try some of the many lubrication
products on the market and find one that works for you and your
partner. If you have pain during intercourse, visit your doctor.
Consider HRT as an option. |
Sleeplessness/Insomnia/Fatigue
- Nearly 40 percent of mid-life women say they have insomnia
- double the percentage from premenopausal days. Most often,
insomnia or sleeplessness is a consequence of nighttime hot
flashes, which interrupt REM sleep. Estrogen deprivation may
also increase wakefulness without any loss of temperature control.
Fatigue and low energy are another domino effect of hot flashes
and poor sleep Irritability, nervousness, memory lapses, and
difficulties concentrating may also occur. While mood swings
and depression may be linked to hormonal changes, they are most
likely due to the effects of insomnia and sleep deprivation.
Recent studies have shown that when mid-life men are subjected
to sleep interruption, they exhibit the same signs of stress
as mid-life women, becoming irritable, short-tempered, moody
and tired.
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Poor
Memory and Loss of Concentration - Delayed reactions, a slowdown
in knowledge retrieval, trouble remembering simple things, and
vague unfocused feelings have been attributed to menopause.
Short-term memory is more often affected than long-term memory.
Poor concentration during menopause can be partially attributed
to lack of sleep due to night sweats, however, women who have
undergone a sudden, medically induced menopause, report alarming
degrees of forgetfulness. The more sudden the estrogen deprivation,
the greater the symptoms.
Women who receive Hormone Replacement
Therapy (HRT) report that concentration and memory improve
almost immediately.
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| Understanding
Menopause - Conclusion |
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The information contained on this website
has not been evaluated by the FDA. This information is not intended
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in the Dr. Brizel's web site is provided for educational purposes
only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified
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condition, and before undertaking any diet, exercise or other health
program.
©2002, All Rights Reserved, Center For Clinical Age Management,
Inc.
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