A woman’s ovaries produce estrogens, progesterone and testosterone at the start of puberty. This production continues to influence her reproductive system throughout her lifetime.
When a woman starts to produce hormones at puberty, she will start to have a menstrual cycle. The National Menopause society defines the menstrual cycle as “the time each month (typically every 4 weeks) when an egg develops in the ovary, the lining of the uterus thickens, and the egg is released into the uterus. If the egg is not fertilized by sperm, the lining of the uterus (with the egg tissue) is shed through menstruation and the cycle begins again.
This cycle typically becomes irregular during perimenopause and ends completely at menopause.
Perimenopause, as defined by the North American Menopause Society, is “a span of time typically lasting 6 years or more that begins with the onset of menstrual cycle changes and other menopause-related symptoms and extends through menopause (the last menstrual period) to 1 year after menopause. Perimenopause is experienced only with spontaneous (natural) menopause, not induced menopause. It is also called the menopause transition.
A woman at some point will stop having menstrual cycles. Menopause is defined as the stage of life of a woman, in which she has missed 12 consecutive periods. This marks the end of fertility. The average age of a woman entering menopause is 52 ˝ years old.
Some women will have what is called “induced” or “surgical” menopause. This is when a woman has her ovaries removed as part of a hysterectomy (when the uterus is surgically removed). If the ovaries are removed, then she is in instant menopause. The removal of the ovaries causes a sudden loss of estrogen. This sudden drop of estrogen often leads to symptoms, which are some of the same symptoms women experience when they go through natural menopause.
Some common symptoms associated with perimenopause and menopause are:
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Vaginal Dryness
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Night sweats
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Hot flashes
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Bone loss (which can lead to osteoporosis)
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Mood swings
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Anxiety
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Memory Loss
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Heart Palpitations
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Low libido (or loss of sexual interest)
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Poor sleep (insomnia)
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Irregular menses (for perimenopausal females)
The ultimate goal of using hormone replacement is to replace the hormones that are no longer being produced, which in turn reduces symptoms caused by the decreased production of hormones. When estrogen is recommended, it is important to use the lowest, most effective dose that reduces symptoms to a manageable level and improves quality of life.
If you are considering using hormone replacement therapy due to the symptoms above, you can meet with our Pharmacist, Mandie Romero, P.D. to discuss your options. We at Professional Arts Pharmacy can offer hormones that meet your individual needs.
If you would like to learn more, the following is a list of recommended books:
The Wisdom of Menopause
By Christiane Northrup, M.D.
The Sexy Years
By Suzanne Somers
What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause
By John R. Lee, M.D.
What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Perimenopause
By John R. Lee, M.D.
Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom
By Christiane Northrup, M.D.
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