Menopause - Balance Hormone Center

What is menopause?

Menopause is a natural transition that most women experience around the ages of 45-55. It signifies the end of a woman's reproductive years and is marked by changes in hormone levels, particularly estrogen.

Some key things to know:

• Menopause occurs when a woman has gone 12 straight months without a period. This signals her ovaries have stopped releasing eggs.
• Perimenopause, the transition period leading up to menopause, usually starts in a woman's 40s. Some common symptoms include hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, irregular periods, trouble sleeping, and mood changes.
• Postmenopause is the stage after menopause has occurred, ending a woman's menstrual cycles permanently.

The decrease and eventual lack of estrogen during menopause causes physical and emotional changes. Besides the above symptoms, some other common effects are:

• Bone loss - With less estrogen, bones lose density faster leading to risks of osteoporosis and fractures
• Heart health risks - Cholesterol levels and blood pressure may rise
• Urinary changes - Loss of tissue elasticity can lead to incontinence and UTIs

Managing menopause symptoms

While menopause is inevitable, various treatment options can help alleviate bothersome symptoms. These include:

• Hormone therapy - Low doses of estrogen/progestin to regulate hormones
• Vaginal estrogen - Treats vaginal dryness and irritation
• Medications - For hot flashes, sleep issues, bone loss
• Alternative medicine - Herbal remedies, acupuncture, dietary changes

Healthy lifestyle measures are also encouraged like regular exercise, calcium/Vitamin D intake, not smoking, lowering stress, etc.

For personalized consultations and compassionate care during this transition, visit Balance Hormone Center(testosteronepatches.net) clinic. Our board-certified specialists create tailored hormone therapy plans to help women thrive before, during and beyond menopause.

I tried to incorporate key details about menopause in an easy-to-understand overview while highlighting important terminology. The post covers what happens, common symptoms/effects, and some management options - focusing on hormone therapy which Balance Hormone Center specializes in. Please let me know if you would like me to modify or add anything!