Menopause

Menopause is defined as the time in a woman’s life when menstruation ceases completely and there is a dramatic reduction in ovarian production of the hormones: Estrogen and Progesterone. In addition to signifying the end of a woman’s ability to have children, the changes in hormone levels affect the entire endocrine system. This entire process usually takes approximately 3-5 years. Menopause is considered complete when a woman has not had a menstrual cycle for one year, uninterrupted. Although menopause is generally completed in the early 50′s, some women can go through menopause in their early 30′s and others in their early 60′s. The average age of menopause in the United States of America is 51.8 years of age.

In addition to diminished levels of Estrogen and Progesterone, Testosterone levels produced in the ovaries are also reduced during menopause. Changing hormone levels affect the entire endocrine system, which is the system that controls growth, metabolism, and reproduction. The diminution of hormone levels during menopause affects multiple elements of the human body including: breasts, vagina, bones, heart, blood, blood vessels, skin, and gastrointestinal and urinary tracts. At menopause, Estrogen levels no longer surge, thus remaining low and no longer stimulates the uterine lining to thicken and engorge with blood. Without a surge in estrogen and the proliferation of the uterine or endometrial lining, women no longer have menses. A continued low level of estrogen is reflected in the lack of fluctuation between heavy bleeding and breast tenderness and absence of menses and shrinking breasts. These continued low levels could cause an increase in hot flashes, which most women start to experience in perimenopause, and some women may experience difficulty with concentration and memory. The loss of bone density accelerates at this point, and in the first five years after menopause, a woman loses bone density at a faster rate than any other time in her life. Other symptoms of perimenopause may intensify, such as vaginal dryness, decreased libido, dry skin, a decreased energy level and uncontrollable changes in mood.

The first five years after menopause is referred to as “post menopause”, which is when a woman’s body settles into a lower estrogen state. Loss of bone density continues but at a slower rate. Many women become acclimated to the symptoms. Unfortunately, the damage to the many organ systems that need estrogen continues insidiously. Consequently, cardiovascular disease rates increase, osteoporosis and fracture rates increase, diabetes rates increase, and Alzheimer’s disease rates increase. Therefore, signs and symptoms of aging occur.

The word “menopause” refers to a specific time, which is the moment of cessation of menses. One should realize that the process of menopause occurs over years and the process of diminution of hormones begins to occur for most women in their early 30′s. An anti-aging physician takes these facts into account and intervenes before actual menopause occurs in order to treat the symptoms and long-term consequences that result from less than optimal hormone levels. Hormone levels can be assessed most accurately through blood work.