Menopause.....
Yassssssss, Queen!!!
We're going there!
Buckle up , buttercup.
What exactly is menopause?
Menopause is the state that women and those born female enter into when they are no longer having periods due to lack of estrogen. This usually happens naturally around ages 45-50(ish), depending on your family history and ethnicity, but can also happen chemically (with certain medications/hormones) and surgically (when the ovaries are removed).
After reaching full menopause, bone density decreases and the risk of heart disease, dementia, and other conditions increases if no action is taken.
So, then what's "perimenopause?"
While some call it "reverse puberty," there is SO much more to perimenopause! Yes, it is the time leading up to true menopause, so there are changes in hormones. It can start as early as the mid-30s and symptoms can include any of the following (and more):
Period changes
Mood changes
Decreased libido
Increased cholesterol
Sleep problems
Fatigue
Trouble concentrating
Weight gain, especially the belly area
Aches and pains
Vaginal dryness
Bladder leaks
How did you score?
If you added up your numbers and reached 12 or more, and you're over the age of 38, there's a possibility you're experiencing perimenopause symptoms. But there's good news! You don't have to just "deal with it" and accept it as "just a part of being a woman." Supplements, small changes in daily living, and even early hormone therapy can help reduce these symptoms and get your feeling more like yourself again and improve your longevity.
What are appointments like? A safe, judgement-free zone, like you're having an intimate conversation with your best girlfriend. Personal stuff means a personal touch, and we will celebrate all that you are!
Let's bring back that quality of life so you can continue to be unapologetically YOU!
Did you know........
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Women can start experiencing perimenopause symptoms as early as their mid-30s.
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Factors, such as race/ethnicity, how old you were when you started getting periods, how long your menstrual cycles lasted, hormonal birth control history, how many children (if any) you've had, having a hysterectomy, cancer treatment and other medications, obesity, history of any kind of abuse, smoking history, alcohol intake, etc. can affect how soon, how long, and how intensely you experience menopause symptoms.
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We have estrogen receptors all over our bodies, including in our brains, bones, muscles, organs, and vasculature, which is why some symptoms seem so random.
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Symptoms can include (but are far from limited to) hot flashes, night sweats, menstrual irregularities, mood swings, joint pain, brain fog, poor sleep, increased anxiety and/or depression, headaches, frozen shoulder, belly fat, bladder leaks, frequent UTIs, vaginal dryness, painful sex, loss of sexual desire, problems with orgasm, fatigue, hair/skin/nail changes, and even gastrointestinal symptoms.
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A significant number of women wait at least 3 years for a perimenopause/menopause diagnosis as the cause of their symptoms.
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Some women visit a healthcare provider 6 times before they get the help they're looking for.
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Symptoms can continue for years after periods stop.
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Hormone replacement therapy got some BAD press in 2002. The risk of breast cancer associated with estrogen therapy wasn't correctly relayed to the general public. The corrected risk of breast cancer is only 0.08% on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in a woman of average risk.
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Estrogen is scientifically proven to protect the heart, brain, and bones.
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HRT is SO much more than just estrogen. We are complex creatures and balancing the type, dose, and delivery of hormones according to a multitude of factors makes all the difference.
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The timing of starting HRT is critical. There's a sweet spot, and waiting too long can actually increase your risk of complications.
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For generations, women were told that debilitating menopause symptoms were just a normal part of aging, part of being a woman, and we just had to "deal with it."
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YOU DON'T HAVE TO DEAL WITH IT.
