Midlife can bring incredible fulfillment into women’s lives. Menopause, on the other hand, enters into a woman’s advancing years with a complex array of symptoms that might not seem as pleasant. It is often characterized by low libido, hot flashes, weight gain, thinning hair, mood swings and difficulties with sleep. More serious conditions include bone loss and potential cardiovascular issues. Menopause can impact your life tremendously if you don’t address it with the appropriate tools that are available.
Don’t allow Menopause to diminish your quality of life in what could be among your best years. Contact Water’s Edge Natural Medicine to discuss options for achieving a healthier, more balanced YOU during this time. Schedule a consultation today with us by contacting us online or calling us at (650) 240-4868!
Sex hormone production begins to change in midlife – especially the dramatic decline in estrogen production – triggering the end of a woman’s menstrual cycles and marking the end of her reproductive phase. This final phase of a woman’s sexual life is known as Menopause. It is a naturally occurring midlife transition out of a woman’s childbearing years.
Technically, Menopause is defined as the stage of life when a woman’s ovaries stop producing eggs and menstruation ceases. You are considered to have fully entered Menopause when you have not menstruated for at least 12 months consecutively. Typically, it begins around age 50, but the onset of Menopause can range from 40 to 60.
The decline in estrogen is the primary trigger or cause for the onset of Menopause. As estrogen levels fall, its telltale symptoms begin to appear. Progesterone and testosterone also decline during this time.
Menopause, of course, does not always occur naturally as a woman ages. If your ovaries are damaged or removed – including a hysterectomy where ovaries are removed – then a sudden onset of Menopause occurs. Certain medical conditions like cancer, especially with radiation or chemo, can trigger Menopause. Primary ovarian insufficiency – with its reduced levels of hormone production – can bring on premature Menopause, as can certain types of injuries.
Th are a wide range of symptoms that could signal the onset of Menopause, and every woman has her own unique experience. The period leading up to Menopause is called perimenopause. Symptoms often begin in perimenopause and continue to develop as Menopause progresses. They can include:
As a woman’s body settles fully into Menopause, there are certain health concerns that may arise because of the changes that are occurring – especially the decline in estrogen levels. Post-menopausal women can be at high risk of developing osteoporosis and heart disease. Emerging cardiovascular issues or any evidence of bone loss (e.g., loss of height, low bone mineral density, or bone fractures) should be monitored closely. Balancing your hormones can play a crucial role in preventing these diseases and reducing the symptoms of Menopause.
There are also cosmetic issues that may arise from collagen loss, hair loss or dry, brittle skin that often accompany Menopause. The health concerns of post-menopausal women require a precise balancing of all of these hormones as they begin to shift.
At your first consultation, we conduct a full assessment of your symptoms and take a complete medical history to properly diagnose Menopause and rule out other conditions that may have similar symptoms. We recommend that you prepare a list of symptoms prior to your first consultation.
At Water’s Edge Natural Medicine in Palo Alto, CA, we understand that your diagnosis of Menopause is the first step in rebalancing your health, your emotions and the next phase of your beautiful life.
A very specialized type of expertise and care is required to address all of the issues that arise from Menopause. The specific course of treatment will vary with each individual patient, especially since Menopause symptoms may manifest differently in each person. Treatment options may include:
At Water’s Edge Natural Medicine in Palo Alto, we take not only your physical symptoms, but your emotional and even your cosmetic symptoms into consideration as we develop a treatment plan designed for you.
There is a myriad of other approaches to counteract the changes in your body the onset of Menopause may trigger. Identifying and addressing food allergies and sensitivities, as well as environmental allergies that may be contributing to hormonal imbalance might be necessary. Herbal remedies and acupuncture may also be good choices for you. A medical weight loss plan, together with a customized movement regimen that is appropriate for your physical condition could help counter the weight gain that is commonly experienced during Menopause.
When addressing cosmetic changes in your body, you may want to explore the possibility of PRP facial rejuvenation and Endymed skin tightening and body contouring treatments to combat the breakdown of collagen and sagging skin and wrinkles that usually come with Menopause.
If you are in Menopause, working with a physician who understands the complexity of female reproductive health and changing hormones is more important than most women realize. At Water’s Edge Natural Medicine in Palo Alto, CA, we offer the most up-to-date and comprehensive testing and treatment to bring renewed health and freedom from the troubling symptoms of Menopause.
We are happy to answer any questions you may have about your Menopause symptoms and our array of healing, rejuvenating and balancing approaches to help you thrive in this next stage of life. Compile your list of symptoms and reach out to Water’s Edge Natural Medicine in Palo Alto, CA to schedule a consultation today! Contact us online or call us at (650) 240-4868!
