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What is Menopause?
Menopause refers to the point where there is a complete termination of menstrual bleeding for 12 consecutive months, signalling cessation of fertility. Menopause usually occurs somewhere between the ages of 48 and 52 with 48/49 years being the average. The ovaries stop producing eggs, and oestrogen and progesterone levels dip significantly due to the depletion of eggs in the ovaries. This marked reduction of hormones becomes permanent for women in menopause. Menopause happens to all women. Although relatively rare, some women can experience early or premature menopause, characterised by loss of ovarian function or premature ovarian insufficiency at an earlier age, usually before the age of 40. Menopause can also occur due to a surgical intervention, such as the removal of your ovaries, or after having received specific treatments such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
The menopause phase is often defined as lasting approximately 5 years. This is the time when reproduction capabilities are no longer present. Once a woman has entered menopause, maintaining optimal health and well-being is all about protecting the body from the health risks associated with a now permanent low level of sex hormones. Entering the menopause is often heralded by the lessening or cessation of perimenopausal symptoms, but some women continue to experience these symptoms for a number of years due to low hormone levels.
Menopause and Associated Health Risks
During the first five years of menopause, the depletion of the bone matrix speeds up and then falls back to normal depletion rates (1% annually). As such, maintaining optimal bone health to prevent osteoporosis and osteopenia is paramount during this period. Other areas of support are also vital at this stage:
Osteoporosis
Due to decreased oestrogen levels resulting in a diminishing bone matrix:
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Aim: Optimise bone density levels to preserve bone structure for the future
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Risk: Acceleration of bone loss due to diminishing oestrogen
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Risk:Bones becoming thin and weak and therefore more susceptible to fractures
Cardiovascular Health
Cardiovascular health risk increases due to diminished oestrogen levels.
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Aim: To support healthy cardiovascular function with the aim to prevent:
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Risk: High blood pressure
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Risk: High cholesterol levels
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Risk: High blood sugar levels
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Risk: High body mass index (BMI)
Adrenal Health
Adrenal health is paramount to support the nervous system
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Aim: Optimise adrenal health with the aim to minimise anxiety, stress, low mood and depression
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Aim: Optimise the production of oestrone (a less potent form of oestrogen) produced by the adrenals
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Risk: Dysregulated mood swings, anxiety, stress and possible depression
Increased Breast Cancer Risk
Supporting hormonal balance and effective detoxification
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Aim: Minimise exposure to toxic endogenous oestrogens & support detoxification pathways
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Risk: Endogenous oestrogens causing hormonal imbalance and heightening the risk of cancer
If you are a woman who has transitioned through the menopause and are currently experiencing and/or concerned about any or a mixture of the symptoms listed above, then please contact me and we will work together to support your symptoms, restore balance to your body and regain your vitality to best support you through this stage in the healthiest way.
