BABY NEWS

Treating Menopause with Hormone Therapy

Menopause marks the end of a woman’s reproductive years. On average, the onset of menopause occurs around the age of 51. It can be easy to think of menopause as something that women only face later in life. But, in fact, the age at which symptoms of menopause or perimenopause may begin can vary dramatically – from as early as one’s late 30s to a woman’s early 60s.

Virtually every function of a woman’s body is controlled or effected by hormones. So, as they body begins to stop producing them, a woman can expect to experience a wide variety of side effects – many of which can be very unpleasant.  Thankfully, hormone therapy enables these declining hormones to be replaced – offering long-lasting relief from the symptoms of menopause.

This article discusses the various symptoms of menopause, and explains the hormone replacement options used by the specialists at AHA Women’s Health in Dearborn and Lincoln Park, Michigan, that can help women navigate these changes and restore their quality of life.

Low Energy & Fatigue During Menopause

Testosterone is not just for men. Actually, testosterone plays a significant role in boosting energy in both men and women. All bodies use testosterone in order to build certain proteins that are essential for both muscle maintenance and energy.

If a woman’s levels of testosterone get too low due to the hormonal changes of menopause, her energy level will quickly become depleted, she can suffer from debilitating chronic tiredness and fatigue. But at AHA Women’s health we can order comprehensive blood tests that will identify if a testosterone deficiency – or other hormone imbalance – may be at the root of a woman’s tiredness.

Blood tests can identify whether menopause or something else – such as thyroid deficiency – may be responsible for low energy, fatigue and even decreased metabolism.  If the symptoms are determined to be a result of menopausal hormone imbalance, hormone replacement therapy can help.

Vaginal Dryness & Painful Sex Due to Menopause

Estrogen is the female “sex hormone” responsible for fertility, libido (sex drive), and the moisture which lubricates the vagina. Estrogen also helps maintain thick and healthy vaginal walls.

As a woman’s body decreases its production of estrogen during menopause, many women will begin to experience vaginal dryness that causing itching, discomfort and in many cases painful intercourse. As estrogen production slows, the vaginal walls get thinner and begin to lose elasticity in addition to secreting less moisture. More than 50% of women can expect to experience these symptoms.

But sex does not have to stop being enjoyable! Estrogen replacement is an extremely common and very effective hormone therapy. When estrogen is replaced with hormone therapy, the woman’s body can rebuild stronger vaginal walls, with increased elasticity and lubrication.

Hot Flashes During Menopause

In addition to its sexual benefits, estrogen replacement is also the most effective treatment for hot flashes and night sweats brought on by menopause.

A staggering 75% of women will experience hot flashes throughout the course of menopause. Hot flashes occur when the blood vessels suddenly dilate. This increases the blood flow, and the result is a sensation of severe heat and copious sweating. Fortunately, the replacement of estrogen (or estrogen plus progestin) with hormone therapy can reverse these issues and reduce hot flashes by as much as 75%.

Hormone Therapy Can Reverse Menopausal Weight Gain

When estrogen levels drop during menopause, the body’s metabolism will also slow down. For this reason, the body will begin to store fat. It will also begin having a more difficult time breaking down fat cells. The result is weight gain – especially in the form of unwanted belly fat. In other instances, when excessive quantities of male hormones known as androgens are present, a woman runs a greater risk of developing obesity.

And, if that were not enough to cause concern, there is another hormone that effects weight gain, called leptin. After eating, this particular hormone tells the brain it’s time to feel full. As leptin levels decline during menopause, women often say they feel hungrier and end up eating more during menopause – which further contributes to weight gain.

Fortunately, hormone therapy can help rebalance these hormones. When hormones are returned to balance in the body with hormone therapy, it can help the body more efficiently burn calories, build and maintain muscles, and redistribute the storage of fat away from the belly.

Preventing Osteoporosis with Hormone Therapy

Bone production is facilitated in both women and men by the hormone estrogen. And one of the underlying causes of osteoporosis is estrogen deficiency. As estrogen levels drop during menopause, the level of calcium in the bones will drop as well. Osteoporosis has been treated with various synthetic drugs, such as bisphosphonate medicines, that come with a host of dangerous side effects.

But, replacing estrogen with hormone therapy can help arrest and in some cases even reverse osteoporosis, helping prevent broken bones and life threatening fractures.

Several recent clinical studies have shown that estrogen replacement therapy is the best way to prevent broken bones due to osteoporosis – and should be the first line of osteoporosis treatment, rather than bisphosphonates (which include Fosamax and Boniva). In addition to preventing fractures, estrogen was shown to protect spinal discs better than non-hormonal treatments.

Menopause Treatment – Dearborn & Lincoln Park

Hormone therapy is the most effective method for treating the symptoms of menopause. If you are experiencing unpleasant side effects of perimenopause or menopause, AHA Women’s Health in Dearborn or Lincoln Park, MI, can help you with safe and natural bioidentical hormone replacement.

Scheduling an appointment with one of our caring and experienced OBGYNs today, to learn more about hormone replacement therapy and feel like yourself again!