What is menopause?
Menopause is a natural transition that most women experience in their late 40s or early 50s as their bodies enter the next phase of life. During this time, a woman stops getting her monthly period permanently as her ovaries stop producing as much of the hormones estrogen and progesterone.
Some key things to know about menopause:
- The years leading up to menopause are called perimenopause. This is when hormone levels start to fluctuate and women may begin noticing changes like hot flashes, trouble sleeping, and mood swings.
- The average age for menopause in the U.S. is around 51 years old, but it can happen anywhere between the ages of 45-55. Family history plays a role.
- Symptoms vary widely between women. Some breeze through "the change" while others struggle with severe symptoms. Common complaints include hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, trouble sleeping, mood changes, and urinary issues.
- While menopause ends a woman's fertility, it should not disrupt her vitality. With a healthy lifestyle and support, many women thrive in midlife and beyond. Hormone therapy can also help relieve difficult symptoms.
The caring providers at Optimized Hormones understand the complexities of perimenopause and menopause. We offer customized bioidentical hormone therapy to help women achieve hormone balance and feel their best during this transition. Schedule a consultation today to discuss your symptoms and get personalized treatment recommendations.