Menopause is a natural transition that all women experience as they age. Technically, menopause occurs when a woman has not had a menstrual period for 12 consecutive months and signals the end of a women's reproductive years.
The years leading up to menopause are called perimenopause. This is when women start to notice changes related to declining estrogen levels like hot flashes, trouble sleeping, and mood changes. Perimenopause usually starts for women in their late 40s, but can begin earlier or later.
During perimenopause, estrogen levels fluctuate sharply then start to steadily decline leading up to menopause. Lower estrogen causes changes like hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, mood changes, trouble focusing/memory loss (i.e. "brain fog") trouble sleeping, and slowing metabolism/weight gain that are commonly associated with menopause.
Not all women experience significant menopause symptoms. But lifestyle measures like regular exercise, stress reduction, avoiding alcohol/caffeine, and treatment options like hormone therapy or herbal remedies can help manage troublesome symptoms.
The healthcare professionals at Elite Hormone Health specialize in custom tailored hormone treatments and lifestyle guidance to help women transition through perimenopause and menopause smoothly. I highly recommend them if you're looking for experienced and compassionate care during this transition.