Hormones in Menopause

and Premenopause

“The mind is everything. What you think you become.” Buddha

Technically, being in menopause means your menstrual periods have stopped permanently. The average age is 52; however, a woman can begin menopause as early as her 30’s which we’re seeing more of recently or as late as her 60’s. Menopause is considered "official" when no periods have occurred for 12 consecutive months. Generally between the ages of 50 and 55, your periods will stop. Again, once you haven’t had a period for 12 consecutive months, you are in menopause. Symptoms may continue or even arise for the first time as your body adjusts to your new hormone levels. The full transition to menopause can take from 2-8 years.

Premenopause (pen-meaning "around" or "near") is the several years before menopause when many women begin experiencing changes in their cycles (such as skipping periods altogether or hot flashes). Premenopausal Syndrome is the extended period of time, 10-15 years, when some women experience menopause-like symptoms.

It is important to understand that the ovaries tone down their production of hormones, but they do not shut down. Women are capable of producing sufficient female hormones throughout life. Other sites in the body are the "back-up systems" to the ovaries at menopause and assist in female hormone production (including estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone).The "back-up systems" include the adrenal glands, body fat, skin, brain, and peripheral nerves. Progesterone is still needed and produced after menopause. However, progesterone's role, other than in pregnancy, is often ignored by conventional practitioners in this country.

Over the years I’ve become more certain about the connection between the mind and physical changes in the body. This is why many women in their forties don’t even like to say the word “menopause.” To them it implies that they are old and past their prime, ready to be hit with a tidal wave of physical symptoms. But things are changing! Many women are beginning to discover the many joys that come with menopause. Post-menopause usually comes with less fatigue, fewer mood swings and cravings. The secret no one tells you is that midlife can be the most radiant, passionate years of your life. Self-knowledge and self-confidence are the true gifts of menopause. This can be a time of true self-discovery, a time to figure out who you are and what you’d like to do with the second half of your life.

The bottom line is that menopause is only word and you know that what ultimately matters is how you feel. Every symptom counts in a woman’s life. Though you may not feel like yourself, you are still you and we’re all naturally capable of feeling better, especially when we work with our bodies and our minds!

Hormonal decline is normal for both men and women after age 50. Luckily, there is a lot you can do to naturally boost the function of your endocrine system. For women, this will alleviate symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes, weight gain, fatigue, and reduced sex hormones.

Having a vibrant endocrine system through old age is believed to be the secret of longevity in Chinese and Indian systems of healing. First, realize that menopause is optional. If your belief is that you must lose your sexuality and vitality as you age then it is quite possible that your body will reflect this belief. I’ve met couples that are sexually active in their eighties. Usually they are eating healthy diets and have a positive attitude about aging.