While menopause is often associated with hot flashes, mood swings, and low energy levels, this isn’t how it has to be!

Menopause brings to a close our period of fertility as hormone production from the ovaries decline. Perimenopause (‘peri-‘ meaning ‘around’ menopause­) is the period of time where women experience the most symptoms of this hormonal change – but this is NOT normal! If the body and its systems are functioning normally, there should be little to no symptoms which interrupt our daily life and the transition to menopause should be a smooth and easy evolution.

First, we need to clarify our definitions.  Menopause is a retrospective diagnosis, meaning it can’t have occurred until periods have ceased for at least 12 months. Before and during the time leading up to this (perimenopause) is where women start to experience changes in their normal cycle. This can be anything from lighter, less frequent periods to even heavier, more frequent periods. This is also the time where symptoms (if they occur) typically start, such as hot flashes, low libido, vaginal dryness, palpitations, insomnia and even headaches to name a few. Other commonly experienced symptoms which can also be associated with perimenopause include weight changes, anxiety, depression, irritability, fatigue, cognitive difficulties, hair and skin changes and even joint pain!

So what can women do to help ease these symptoms?

• First, talk to your doctor and make sure these symptoms are in fact due to menopause itself and not something more concerning. Make sure you’re up to date on your annual pelvic exam, mammogram and, if necessary, colonoscopy and bone scans.
• Make sure your diet supports healthy function and ensures good calcium and other bone supporting nutrients such as magnesium, vitamin D, vitamin A and vitamin K.
• Certain herbs can be helpful to reduce perimenopausal symptoms, including Maca, Dong quai, Chaste tree, Black cohosh, Red clover. Motherwort, Licorice and Burdock root and Wild yam. Be sure to consult with your physician to determine which one is best suited to your needs.
• Healthy adrenal gland (stress response) function serves to improve non-ovarian hormone production, and thus helps to reduce symptoms.  Adrenal funciton can be supported with nutrients such as Magnesium, vitamin B5, zinc, copper, Vitamin C and low doses of DHEA or glandular adrenal products. Herbs such as Licorice, Ashwaganda, Rhodiola and Siberian ginseng can also help.
• Vaginal dryness and atrophy can often cause pain with intercourse. This can be alleviated with good quality lubricants, even coconut oil or olive oil. If severe enough, vaginal estrogen creams can be prescribed for some patients. These can even be specially compounded with vitamins E and A for extra support.
• Homeopathic remedies can be used to help decrease hot flashes and support overall health. In my next blog I will go through some of the specifics for our most used medicines, so stay tuned.

As you can see, there are a lot of options! If these recommendations don’t provide the relief you need, or you have concerns about your symptoms, be sure to speak with your doctor. Going through menopause should be EASY! Take this time to celebrate your accomplishments over the past years and make new plans and goals for the years ahead rather than begrudging that you aren’t where you used to be.