Subcutaneous
Hormone Implants:
Relief
for Persistant Menopausal Symptoms and Sexual Dysfunction
HRT
Therapy
Part 1: Hormone Replacement Therapy,
Panacia or Poison?
Part 2: Hormone Replacemnet Therapy
Is a Personal Choice
Part 3: What Is Optimum Hormone Replacement?
How
To Find A HRT Program That Works For You...
Part 1: Finding An Ideal Regimen
Part 2: Unpleasant Side Effects
Part 3: Progesterone, Progestins
& Progesterone Cream
Sex:
Sex and Menopause
Menopause:
Menopause Overview
Hysterectomy:
Hysterectomy Overview
Ovarian Failure Following Hysterectomy
I Want To Know If I Should I Keep My Ovaries
HRT
& Hormones:
About HRT
Ask
Dr N:
Questions & Answers
Menopause Overview
WHAT IS MENOPAUSE?
Strictly speaking menopause refers to that point in time that normal or physiologic menstrual bleeding stops. The period of time prior to menopause is referred to as premenopause and the time after as postmenopause. However, as a practical matter the term menopause is used loosely to describe the menopause and postmenopause collectively.
WHY AND WHEN DOES IT HAPPEN?
A "natural menopause" most often occurs between the ages of 48-52 and is recognized by cessation of the monthly menstrual cycle. When a woman is born, her ovaries contain approximately one million follicles, or eggs. At puberty she has about 600,000 or so remaining. It is these follicles that are responsible for the production of estrogen, the hormone that will transform her physically and mentally into an adult female capable of reproduction. She uses up about 1000 of these eggs or follicles every month in this process. After about 400 months of reproductive ability, at an average age of 48-52 her ovaries exhaust their supply of available eggs. In the absence of these estrogen-producing follicles, estrogen levels fall below the point necessary to trigger ovulation and cause physiologic uterine bleeding.
WHAT ARE THE OTHER TYPES OF MENOPAUSE?
A surgical menopause or hysterectomy refers to a menopause that is induced by a surgical removal of the uterus. If the ovaries are removed at the time of surgery the fall in hormone levels of both estrogen and testosterone is sudden and severe. Testosterone plays an important part in maintaining energy levels, sex drive and in a number of other important functions. If the ovaries are not removed, they may continue to function and produce adequate levels of estrogen and testosterone, until the time that a natural menopause would have occurred. However, as it turns out, in as many as 50% of these cases, the retained ovaries cease to function normally within three years after surgery. It's easy to see why a surgical menopause/hysterectomy has a greater potential to disrupt health and the quality of life.
A premature menopause refers to a menopause that occurs prior to age 45.
Additionally, menopause can be induced by chemotherapy, infection, trauma or autoimmune disease.
Menopause occurs earlier in smokers and is a result of a smoking related reduction in estrogen levels.
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO KNOW ABOUT MENOPAUSE?
No one "goes through menopause." When a woman becomes menopausal and hormone levels fall, she will remain hormonally deficient for the remaining 1/3 of her life span. This is a normal and expected occurrence. However, as natural as this event is, it is not benign.
The long-term consequences of hormone deficiency include the potential to impair quality of life, and negatively impact health and longevity. . There is an associated increase in coronary artery disease, osteoporosis and strokes.
What most women mean when they say that they have "gone through menopause," is that they are no longer having the symptoms that are commonly associated with menopause. However, even if symptoms subside, any negative affects of hormone deficiency continue, although there may not be an awareness of them. For instance, the first sign of coronary artery disease may be a fatal heart attack and the first sign of menopausal bone loss is usually a fracture.
One way of looking at menopause is to think of it as the opposite of puberty. At puberty, rising sex hormonal levels stimulate the development of breasts, auxiliary and pubic hair, muscle mass, bone mass, feminine fat distribution, sex-drive and all the rest of the changes we refer to as "secondary sexual characteristics". But, sex hormone levels do more than play the major role in the development of these tissues; they are also necessary for their maintenance and optimum function. When sex hormone levels fall, the dependent tissues lose their integrity and their ability to perform their intended role.
WHAT ABOUT HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY?
A program of Hormone Replacement Therapy, (HRT), is capable of preventing the negative effects of hormone deficiency, but many women are unaware of its potential benefits. Frequently, they are frightened and confused by a cloud of "myths and misinformation," which obscure the value of hormone replacement therapy / HRT as a health maintenance prerogative. The concept that "safest" approach to menopause is to not interfere with it is contradicted by a wealth of information that denies its validity. If you have symptoms and problems related to hormone deficiency, the most appropriate and effective treatment is to replace the hormones that are missing. Nothing ... is as effective. However, for optimum benefit, an hormone replacement therapy / HRT program often needs to be individualized.
WHAT ABOUT NATURAL AND ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES?
Many women are just not comfortable with hormone replacement therapy / HRT, and/or prefer what they consider to be a more "natural" approach in the management of their menopause. There are some products that have been used for many years, such as Oil of Primrose, and others such as plant based Phytoestrogens that have recently become popular. So far, there is not much known about their safety and there is nothing to suggest they can resolve menopausal symptoms or prevent the long-term consequences of hormone deficiency. There are ongoing studies underway that should help to define these issues.
In the meantime it is prudent to carefully evaluate any therapies that seem to be out of the mainstream. One important yardstick that is helpful in assessing the sincerity of someone, who is expounding on the miraculous effectiveness of a particular therapy, is to know if they profit financially from its sale. Don’t be surprised, if someone who extols the virtue of a specific product has a financial arrangement with the manufacturer that rewards him or her for their ardor.
Menopausal Symptoms
A woman may experience a number of changes in the way she feels at or prior to menopause. We call these changes the "symptoms" of menopause. This page defines and discusses menopausal symptoms and their treatment...Sex and Menopause
Loss of sexual desire and ability to participate in and enjoy sex is not a normal part of aging. Dr Nosanchuk explains why a menopausal woman's desire to have sex and her capacity to physically participate in sex are both affected by her menopause...Menopause & Weight Gain
Dr Nosanchuk discusses the factors that influence weight gain in menopausal women...Menopause & Migraine
This section discusses the nature of migraines and its relationship to menopause and hormone levels. In addition it provides strategies that may reduce the number and frequency of headaches...
Menopause & Hair Loss
One of the concerns shared by women of menopausal age is the possibility of hair loss. The importance modern society associates with an attractively styled hairdo is reflected by a thriving multi-billion dollar industry involved in the cutting, styling, washing and coloring of hair. When hair loss occurs to a menopausal woman, it is certainly stressful, as this situation may diminish body image satisfaction and self-esteem. The impact can be devastating and affect psychological adjustment and quality of life ...
Appointments
with Dr. Nosanchuk can be made by contacting Caroline
(248) 644-7200 from 10:00am to 6:00pm Monday - Friday (EST).
This web site is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to suggest a specific therapy for any individual and must not be construed to establish a physician/patient relationship.